Google is making calling cards for Android look much better, at least for people who use the Google Contacts and Google Phone apps.
The new version takes some inspiration from iOS by letting full portrait-oriented photos pop up on your screen when they call you. Previously, you were limited to only using the smaller avatar for each contact, but now you can use both. Plus, you can make both images different if you want.
A report from 9to5Google says that this is rolling out now, but it seems to be quite slow. I was only able to get the update on my Pixel 9 after downloading the latest Dev beta of Android 16. Ideally, more people with the Google Contacts app will start to see it soon. The publication also mention that it’s noticed a pop-up highlighting calling cards in the beta version of the Google phone app, suggesting a wide rollout is imminent.
Once you get the update, simply open a contact card and start editing. In the editing interface, you should see the option to add a ‘calling card’ near the top of the page. Tap on that, select a photo, and you’re good to go. If you want, you can also edit the font and colour of the text that displays their name. Then, whenever that person calls you, this photo will pop up.
This version differs slightly from Apple’s implementation in that Android doesn’t allow you to create your own contact card/poster, which is automatically shared with the people you call. On Apple devices, if someone you call or text doesn’t have a contact photo set up for you, it will then show your pre-made contact photo/poster. In the Android Messages app, you can set a default photo that others will see, so perhaps Google will be able to expand on this in the future.
Source: 9to5Google
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