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Google Phone App Calling Cards - How to use, benefits, and tips

Calling Cards in the Google Phone app bring full-screen, customizable visuals for incoming calls. Learn how to set them up, limits, and tips.
Updated: August 29, 2025 • Tech / How-to

Google Phone app — Calling Cards: What they are and how to use them

Google Phone app calling card example

Google has added a Calling Cards feature to the Phone app that gives your contacts a full-screen, customizable look when they call you. The feature began appearing in August 2025 and has rolled out to many users as part of a Phone app update (v188+).

What is a Calling Card?

A Calling Card replaces the old small contact thumbnail with a full-screen image or visual for incoming and outgoing calls. You can pick a photo or video, crop it, and choose text style and color so each contact's call screen looks distinct.

Where to find it (official)

Google documents the feature and how to create a calling card on its Phone app Help page — the flow is available from the Phone app or Contacts app and the UI prompts you to “Try adding a calling card” when available.

How to set up a Calling Card (step-by-step)

  1. Open the Phone app on your Android phone (update to the latest version via Play Store).
  2. Open the contact you want to customize. Tap the "Try adding a calling card" prompt or the Edit > Add calling card option.
  3. Choose a photo from Camera, Gallery, or Google Photos. Move and pinch to crop the area you want shown.
  4. Select font style and color for the contact's name text. Save the card.
  5. Next time that contact calls, you’ll see the full-screen Calling Card instead of a small thumbnail.

Note: Calling Cards are device-side — they control how you see callers on your phone. They don't change how the person you call sees their own outgoing screen.

Compatibility and rollout

The Calling Cards UI arrived as part of a Material 3 Expressive refresh and began rolling out in mid-August 2025, with wider availability through late August 2025. If you don’t see it, update the Phone app to the latest version (v188 or newer) and check the Contacts or Phone app prompts. 4

Tips and privacy notes

  • Use high-resolution images for best results (3:1 crops work well for the new layout).
  • Avoid sensitive personal images for contacts you share devices with — calling cards show full screen on incoming calls.
  • If you use Google Photos images, ensure the photos are accessible on the device account used by Phone/Contacts.
  • Voicemail and message features introduced alongside these updates remain local to your device (check the Phone app help for device compatibility details). 5

FAQ

Can I set a calling card for all contacts at once?

Not currently. Calling Cards are set per contact. You can, however, reuse the same image for multiple contacts by editing each contact individually.

Will the calling card be visible when I call someone else?

No. Calling Cards control how the call appears on your device. They do not change how the recipient sees the call on their phone.

What if I don't see the feature?

Update Phone by Google to the latest Play Store version (v188+). If it still doesn't appear, the rollout may not have reached your device yet — try clearing cache for Phone and Contacts apps or wait for a gradual rollout. 6

Sources: Google Phone app Help (official), Android Authority, 9to5Google, The Verge. Links in references.

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