Google has begun testing a feature that lets its Gemini assistant place phone calls to local businesses on a user’s behalf. The capability arrives as an early experiment on the Pixel 11, and it is being distributed through a limited preview rather than a broad release.
What the assistant handles on your behalf
According to Google, the user does not need to start the call manually. Instead, the request is made through the Gemini app on the Pixel 11. From there, Gemini introduces itself to the business, works through automated phone menus, waits on hold, and carries on the conversation once a person answers.
The tasks described in the brief are everyday errands: making reservations, checking whether an item is in stock, and rescheduling appointments. These are the kinds of short, practical calls that often involve navigating a phone tree before reaching someone who can help.
Control stays with the user
Google states that the user remains in control throughout the call. A live transcript view lets the user follow what is being said, and the user can take over the conversation at any point. That takeover option is a notable addition compared with Google’s earlier effort in this area.
Last year, Google announced a similar feature called Call for me, which had AI call local businesses to ask about products. That earlier version did not include a user takeover option, according to the brief. The new experiment appears to address that gap by keeping a human in the loop.
Availability and rollout
The feature is rolling out today, September 24, 2026, as an early preview. It is limited to Gemini paid subscribers who are enrolled in the Phone by Google Public Beta and using a Pixel 11 in the United States. That combination of requirements means the initial audience is narrow, consistent with an experiment rather than a finished product.
Google has not framed the release as a final feature. The early-preview label signals that the company is still testing how the assistant performs in real conversations and how users respond to delegating calls.
Meta's parallel effort
Google is not alone in exploring automated phone calls. Meta is working on a similar feature for its Muse AI agent. A report cited in the brief says Meta’s calls might be made by a human behind the scenes, which would make its approach different from the one Google describes.
For now, Google’s experiment gives Pixel 11 users in the beta program a way to hand off certain calls and step in when needed. Whether the feature expands beyond that group will depend on how the early preview unfolds.
