• Google is testing a feature to mark urgent calls on Android
• The tag appears on the call screen

Google has begun testing a new feature in the beta version of its Phone app that allows Android users to mark calls as "urgent" before dialing, letting the recipient know the reason for the call even before answering.

The feature works only between contacts using Google’s Phone app, creating a trusted network and preventing misuse of the urgent tag by unknown callers or telemarketers.

The tag appears on the incoming call screen and in the call history if the call is missed, giving users additional context about the call’s importance.

The feature’s infrastructure could later expand to include custom messages, emojis, or predefined categories such as "work emergency" or "family matter."

It comes at a time when voice calls are declining among young people who prefer text communication, making this Google’s attempt to add more context to calls and make them more engaging and clear.

The update is rolling out gradually across Android devices according to manufacturers’ schedules, and users can check for it via the Google Play Store and ensure Google’s Phone app is set as the default calling app.

The "Call Reason" feature is part of Google’s efforts to make Android communication tools smarter and more context-aware, following updates like spam detection, call screening, and automated transcription.

This step could help restore the relevance of voice calls, especially for urgent communications that are not suitable for text messages.