Google may be testing two new features for its Phone app. According to reports, the Google Phone app will now integrate WhatsApp call history into regular calls. Some users have noticed a new video calling shortcut on their contact page that redirects calls to Google Meet. It appears that these new features have been rolled out to a small number of users who have signed up for the tech giant’s Android beta program. Recently, the company also introduced some new features for Google Drive.
The two features were reported together by 9to5Google based on posts from other users on X (formerly Twitter). According to the report, the feature will also be available on Pixel smartphones and some other devices. The WhatsApp call history feature was discovered by user @Kishore9196 who also posted a screenshot of his call history.
In the screenshot you can see the call log in the Google Phone app. A particular call was labeled “WhatsApp” and displayed provider and channel information. All other usual options like calls, video calls, messages, history, etc. are also shown in the reports. This suggests that Google may be working on integrating call recording. However, it remains to be seen whether support will be extended only to WhatsApp or other messaging apps such as Telegram and Signal. Unknown.
In response to a comment, the user also confirmed that he is a beta tester and is running Google Phone v124.0.608164421-publicbeta and Whatsapp 2.24.6.6. Interestingly, the built-in call recording feature has been available on iOS for some time now.
The second feature was shared by the author of the information, Mishal Rahman, and confirmed by other users. “The Phone by Google app will display a new chip for video calls during calls for some users,” Rahman said. Tapping this chip will open a screen where you can immediately invite the person you’re calling to a Google Meet call. This feature was also spotted on the Google Pixel 5a when the beta version of the phone app was running. The app already allows users to make Google Meet calls, but the shortcut appears to allow users to switch to the video calling app while on the call screen.