What Is “Take a Message”?
Take a Message is a feature introduced with the Pixel 10 series that lets users record a short voice note when they miss a call. The note is transcribed in real‑time and appears in the Phone app’s call history, offering an alternative to traditional voicemail.
The Privacy Issue
In a small number of Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 devices, the feature failed to fully isolate the call. Callers could hear background audio from the phone’s surroundings during a missed‑call prompt, effectively letting them listen in on the user’s environment.
Google’s Response
Google confirmed the problem affects “a very small subset” of devices under “very specific and rare circumstances.” As a precaution, the company has disabled Take a Message and the next‑generation Call Screen on the affected phones while keeping manual and automatic Call Screen and carrier voicemail functional.
Impact on Users
Users of Pixel 4 and Pixel 5 who rely on Take a Message will no longer see transcribed missed‑call notes. All other call‑screening features remain operational.
What to Do If You’re Affected
- Check your Phone app settings for the “Take a Message” toggle – it should be turned off.
- Use the traditional carrier voicemail or the standard Call Screen options for missed calls.
- Watch for future updates from Google that may restore the feature.