What you need to know
- Google is testing a feature in the Phone app that allows users to effortlessly switch from a regular phone call to a Google Meet video call.
- Some users have noticed a new “Video Call” chip in the Phone app during normal calls, which appears above the keyboard, mute, speaker, and other options.
- A tap of the button starts a Meet video call without interrupting an ongoing voice call.
Google has been spotted testing a new feature in the Phone app, which allows you to very easily switch from a regular call to a Google Meet video call with one tap.
Several users see fresh Video call chip in the Phone app when they’re in a regular conversation, as noted by Android Police. This new button appears above the keyboard, mute, speaker and other options.
If you tap that chip, it starts a Google Meet video call with the person you’re talking to. Their phone rings, but the voice call continues, so switching is much easier than before.
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This suggests that Google Meet is becoming more than just a business tool. With this potential feature in the Phone app, it seems Meet wants to be a bigger part of our everyday mobile conversations.
For a while, iPhone users had it easy with FaceTime right in the dialer. Android users may soon feel the same, as video calls are seamlessly integrated into the Phone app.
If the person you’re trying to call doesn’t have the Meet app installed, tapping the chip takes you to a screen that suggests inviting them to jump into Google Meet for a video chat.
Some users have seen this feature on build 125.0.613053162-publicbeta-pixel2023 and also on 124.0.608164421-publicbeta, according to Android Police. Since it appears on different versions of the app, it seems that this feature could be a server-side tweak.
So far, this functionality is only visible on Pixel phones. But since the Google Phone application is not exclusive, there is a chance that it will be found on other devices in the future.
Not everyone has access to this new trick yet. It seems to be on its way, but it could be a while before it reaches everyone.