Google Joins The War Against Spam Calls With Free App, Here’s How It Works

Robocalls reached an all-time high in 2019 with 58.5 billion, and now Google is lending its might to fight against them.

Google confirmed on Tuesday that a new feature is coming to its free “Google Phone” app on Android: Verified Calls. The app works by telling customers on the receiving end of a potential spam call the name of the business on the other end and why it is calling – if it’s verified.

Businesses can choose to opt-in and participate with Google’s Verified Calls program. If a Google Phone user receives a call from a verified business, the app will display not just the business name, but also a logo, verification badge, and the reason it is making the call, such as an airline calling to alert a traveler about a cancellation.

While not standard on all devices that run Google’s popular Android OS, Google Phone is still compatible with most of these devices. In order to start using the app, all one has to do is download it from the Google Play Store and set it as the device’s standard dialer, reports CNET.

Google Phone is the default option on all smartphones made by Google, as well as OnePlus. Notably, it is not the default on Samsung devices.

The Verified Calls feature will first roll out in the U.S., Mexico, Brazil, Spain, and India. Google has stated that some Android apps are not yet compatible with all Android phones. If this is the case, users will get a notice when trying to download. The company promised that support is being rolled out to more devices in the coming week, so these users are encouraged to try again in a few days.