Google is experimenting with a new feature called “Expressive Calling” that aims to mark phone calls as urgent, allowing them to bypass Do Not Disturb settings so recipients can see an explanation before answering. This feature, spotted in the latest public beta of Google’s Phone app, lets callers add a brief message and an emoji to convey urgency and provide context upfront.
How Expressive Calling Works
In the Google Phone beta (version 201.0.833052069), “Expressive Calling” appears alongside a user-facing label called “Call Reason.” This feature notifies users when a call is urgent, potentially acting like a voicemail-like feature. Callers select from four preset reasons and attach an emoji to convey tone. The app may also provide a special “Missed an Urgent Call” notification, hinting at prioritized alerts.
The pre-call message uses RCS technology, which may require SMS permissions and modern messaging support on both ends. For recipients without RCS or who use non-Google dialers, the experience might degrade or fall back to a basic call. Notably, urgent calls could override Do Not Disturb with a distinctive banner reading “It’s urgent!” during incoming calls.
To prevent misuse, Google plans to restrict this feature to contacts rather than unknown callers, aligning with its current anti-spam measures that leverage strong caller ID and automated spam screening.
Why This Feature Matters
Do Not Disturb (DND) is essential but can cause anxiety when users fear missing important calls. Current solutions, like allowing starred contacts or exceptions, are blunt instruments. Expressive Calling offers a nuanced approach by attaching a short reason — for example, “Running late to pick up” or “Need signature for delivery” — giving recipients immediate context for breaking their focus.
This feature responds well to the surge in unwanted calls. In the U.S., billions of robocalls occur monthly, prompting regulators like the FCC to enforce stricter call authentication. A contact-restricted urgent call mode can ensure vital calls get through without opening the door to spam.
Google’s system also goes beyond Apple’s Emergency Bypass and Android’s starred contacts by combining Do Not Disturb override with a reason display, which helps users make informed decisions about answering.
RCS Compatibility and Enterprise Uses
Expressive Calling relies on RCS, which benefits from broad adoption. Google reports over 1 billion monthly active users of RCS in Messages, and the GSMA Universal Profile is expanding carrier support. Greater interoperability increases the chances that urgent call reasons will display correctly rather than default to a standard call.
Verified business calling could also benefit. By combining verified identity with urgent flags, professionals like delivery personnel, doctors, and schools could place important, dependable calls that users are less likely to ignore.
Preventing Abuse
The risk of abuse is real—spammers marking all calls as urgent. Limiting emergency overrides to saved contacts provides a first line of defense. Google’s spam protection, server-side verification, and rate limits further mitigate misuse. Users can expect controls to mute or block contacts who frequently abuse the urgent call label.
Additional Minor Improvements
Alongside Expressive Calling, the beta introduces a simple toggle to prevent the phone’s in-call screen from switching to landscape mode when auto-rotate is enabled. This small enhancement improves call experience by minimizing accidental screen rotations during conversations.
What to Expect Next
As these features are still in development, Google’s plans may evolve. Users should watch for updates to the Phone app’s beta, upcoming changelogs, and Pixel flagship previews. If implemented as envisioned, Expressive Calling could add valuable intelligence to phone calls, making critical calls harder to miss.
