- The Google Phone app, previously available on Pixel phones, is now available as a beta for most Android phones.
- You have to sign up for the beta to give it a shot. The instructions are in the article below.
- Unfortunately, the app does not have many of the Pixel-centric features, such as Call Screen.
The Google Phone app is what powers the dialer of Pixel smartphones. Its simple design and powerful features make it a favorite of Pixel users. Now, however, anyone can give a blank bone version of the app a shot, even if you do not have a Pixel.
We do not know specifically which phones the app can try, but according to our own tests, all Android-powered smartphones seem to be compatible. Chromebooks, tablets, and Watch OS-powered watches will obviously not work.
Please note that the Google Phone app is only in beta for non-Pixel phones. Therefore, there will be quite a few features missing that make it really powerful, such as Call Screen. In other words, you should try this now if you like the look and feel of the app because the feature set is limited.
How do you get the Google Phone app beta on your device?
- First you need to sign up for the beta program. Click here with a device where you are logged in with your Google account.
- On the page you land on, you should see the Google Phone app icon. Tap on the blue button “Become a tester”.
- Once you’re a confirmed tester (which should be immediately), click here to visit the phone app list in the Play Store.
- You should now be able to install the app on your phone. If you can’t, just wait an hour or two for your beta access to begin.
Once you have successfully installed the app, launch it. You need to set it as your default dialer app to work properly, so go ahead and do that if you ask for it. Hopefully, some of the Pixel-exclusive features will eventually make their way to this “universal” version of the app. Stay tuned!
