Google Pixel Users Could Soon Get a Lookup Feature to Identify Unknown Callers: Report

Reportedly, the Lookup feature was first added to Google Pixel devices in Japan with the March Feature Drop.

Written by Akash Dutta, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 8 April 2024 19:01 IST

Google Pixel Users Could Soon Get a Lookup Feature to Identify Unknown Callers: Report

Photo Credit: Google

The feature reportedly opens apps that can handle web search to look up the number

Highlights

The Lookup feature is available only with the Google Phone app
Reportedly, the feature is not integrated with apps such as Truecaller
Earlier, Google’s Phone app was reported to integrate WhatsApp calls

Google is reportedly working to bring a new feature in its Phone app for Pixel users that will let them look up unknown numbers to identify them. The feature, dubbed Lookup, was earlier introduced to Pixel devices in Japan with the March Feature Drop, but it was not released outside the region. As per the report, Google could now be aiming to bring the feature to its smartphones globally. Notably, a report last month stated that Google is also testing a new Phone app feature that integrates WhatsApp call logs and carrier calls on the same screen.

According to a report by PiunikaWeb (via AssembleDebug), the strings of code corresponding to the feature were spotted in the Google Phone app beta version 127.0.620688474. The Lookup feature is seen when a user taps on a number that is not saved in contacts. It uses web searches to find the source of a phone number.

Google Pixel Phone app to get 'Lookup' feature to identify recent unknown callers and some UI tweaks for the emergency in-call screen

Read - https://t.co/QSHpOqzlV1

🏳️ Flags are shared in the post for rooted users ✓#Google #Android pic.twitter.com/gIMJhT8dNX
— AssembleDebug (@AssembleDebug) April 5, 2024

As per the screenshot shared by the tipster on X (formerly known as Twitter), the Lookup icon shows up after the Add contact, Message, and History icons as the fourth item on the list. The report highlights that upon tapping on the feature, a bottom panel opens up that allows users to choose from apps that can look up the number on the web. Google Search is one of the options, and when using it, the feature directly searches it on the web.

This feature is intended for phone numbers that are associated with a business as they are likely to be found on the internet. It does not appear to be for numbers for personal use as they are unlikely to be available publicly on the web. Further, this feature currently does not integrate any caller ID apps such as Truecaller, which is more focused towards identifying phone numbers belonging to individuals.

There is no word on when this feature may be rolled out to Pixel smartphone users globally, however, the report speculates that it could be released with the June Feature Drop. Further, it is not likely to be introduced to Android smartphone users any time soon, as is the case with most Pixel-exclusive features.

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Further reading: Google, Google Phone app, Phone app, Google Pixel

Akash Dutta Email Akash Dutta

Akash Dutta is a Senior Sub Editor at Gadgets 360. He is particularly interested in the social impact of technological developments and loves reading about emerging fields such as AI, metaverse, and fediverse. In his free time, he can be seen supporting his favourite football club - Chelsea, watching movies and anime, and sharing passionate opinions on food. More