Good to know
The Take a Message feature answers certain calls for you, records the caller's message, and displays a transcript on your compatible phone.
This feature is available on Google Pixel 6 models and later.
Take a Message is enabled by default on compatible devices and some software updates may change its settings.
When Take a Message answers a call, the message is recorded in the Google Phone app rather than in Videotron's Voicemail.
What does the Take a Message feature do?
The Take a Message feature, available in the Google Phone app, can answer some calls when you're unable to do so.
When a call comes in:
- The phone automatically answers the call.
- A greeting is sent to the caller.
- The words of the caller are transcribed in real time on your device.
- You can choose to answer the call or let the feature record a message.
Recordings and transcripts are saved directly to the device. They can be viewed in the Phone app.
Note: Videotron's Voicemail will continue to manage missed calls when the feature is not enabled or when it is not available.
Enabling and disabling Take a Message
Important: Make sure you're using the latest version of the Google Phone app.
- Launch the Phone app.
- Tap the Settings menu.
- Select Take a Message.
- Slide the button to the right (On) or left (Off) to turn the feature on or off.
If Visual Voicemail is not being used, the feature may turn on automatically in some cases.
Using Take a Message
When an incoming call is eligible for the feature:
- A notification will indicate that a message is being recorded.
- You will be able to read the transcript in real time, while the caller is speaking.
- To take the call, tap Answer.
- To allow the caller to continue, no action on your part is necessary.
Take a Message may not be available when:
- your device is in roaming mode;
- your phone is out of network reach;
- your phone is turned off;
- the call does not meet the conditions set out by Google;
- the call is transferred to Videotron's Voicemail before Take a Message can answer.
Accessing messages and transcripts
Important: Make sure you're using the latest version of the Google Phone app.
- Launch the Phone app.
- Tap the Recent tab or the relevant call.
- Select a call handled by Take a Message.
- Access the audio recording and transcript of the message.
Customizing the greeting
It is possible to customize the message that callers hear when a call is answered.
Depending on your device and the version of the Phone app, you can
- record a customized greeting;
- keep multiple greetings;
- select the greeting you want to use.
Which Pixel models can support Take a Message?
Take a Message is available on Google Pixel 6 phones and later.
Availability of some features may vary by language, region, and device software version.
Check Google's official documentation for the most up-to-date terms of service.
Known limitations of Take a Message
- The feature requires the Google Phone app.
- Availability depends on language, country, and region.
- Some features, such as real-time transcription, may not be available in all languages.
- The feature can automatically turn off when the device is roaming.
- Recordings and transcripts are saved locally on the device.
- Some AI-powered features may evolve with Google's software updates.
Frequently asked questions about Take a Message
No. Videotron Voicemail remains available. Take a Message only intervenes when it answers a call on your device.
If the Take a Message feature is enabled, it can answer certain calls before Videotron Voicemail. The messages are then recorded in the Google Phone app rather than in your Videotron Voicemail.
If you want calls to be forwarded directly to Videotron Voicemail, disable the Take a Message feature.
Yes. A real-time transcript is displayed while the message is being recorded, when this feature is supported.
Yes. You can tap Answer at any time while the caller is leaving their message.
Messages and transcripts are saved locally on your Pixel phone, and can be viewed in the Phone app.
It is possible that this feature is not available on your device model, in your region, in your language, or with your current version of the Phone app.
Also, make sure you are using the latest version of the Google Phone app.
Not always. Some features may be limited or disabled while roaming.
Take a Message may work in conjunction with Google’s call-screening features. Its primary function, however, is to record a message and provide a transcription of it.
