Google is introducing customizable “calling cards” in its Phone and Contacts apps, giving users a fresh way to personalize incoming call screens—similar to Apple’s feature for iPhone users in iOS 17 (2023).
Instead of just showing a small profile photo in the center, calling cards allow you to set a fullscreen background image for a contact. While Apple’s version focuses on how others see you, Google’s implementation feels more like an upgrade to your own contact visuals. However, since Google Messages already lets you choose an image everyone sees, calling cards could eventually be expanded in the same way.
When the feature is available, opening a contact’s page will show a prompt: “Try adding a calling card: Customize how [contact name] appears during calls.” Internally codenamed “patrick” in the Google Phone app, calling cards work alongside the traditional circular profile picture shown in other places.
You can select an image from your Camera, Gallery, or Google Photos, adjust its position, and then choose a font and name color for the Incoming Call screen. Available colors include: Autumn Orange, Black, Blush Pink, Dark Green, Dark Purple, Gentle Blue, Greenish Yellow, Lavender, Lavender Two, Navy, Orangy Yellow, Raspberry Pink, Red, Reddish Orange, Royal Blue, Seafoam Green, Smart Color, Vivid Cyan, White, Yellow Green, and the adaptive “Smart Color” option.
This update pairs with Google’s upcoming new answering gestures—Horizontal swipe or Single tap—to enhance the calling experience.
Calling cards aren’t yet available to everyone but are starting to appear for some users after the Phone by Google 188 beta update. Meanwhile, Contacts 4.61 has rolled out broadly with the Material 3 Expressive design. Another change in the latest beta sees the “Call Message” feature renamed to “Take a Message.”
