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What is Android Clear Calling and how do you enable it?
During my years with Pixel devices, the phone call aspect hasn't always been the best. There have been times when it was downright abysmal.
See also
I've found, with some devices, the phone mic would randomly mute, requiring that I either call the person back or restart my phone. On other occasions, the person on the other end of the call would have trouble hearing me well, because of extraneous noise.
That's why Google developers have been working hard to bring a new feature to Pixel devices, called Clear Calling.
This new feature uses AI to cancel that extraneous noise for both callers. That's the remarkable part of the feature, as it not only minimizes ambient noise your mic picks up, but also clears up the ambient noise you hear from the other party.
Also: Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro hands-on: The start of Google's walled garden
It's about time Google improved the phone call experience with Android.
Thanks to the December Android update, Clear Calling is now available for the Pixel 7. I've enabled it and have been very impressed with the results. I've found phone calls are considerably clearer. Anyone with a Pixel 7 device should hop on the Clear Calling bandwagon immediately.
For those without Pixel 7s, there has been no indication that Clear Calling will ever find its way to other devices. That could be because the newer Pixel devices include the Tensor chip, which is responsible for handling the AI and machine learning for the devices. Phones without the Tensor chip might not be able to handle the processing required for Clear Calling.
But then again, who knows what's in store for future updates on non-Pixel Android devices?
Regardless, Pixel 7 owners should enable Clear Calling immediately, to enjoy considerably improved phone calls. These are, after all, phones.
What is Android Clear Calling and how do you enable it?
Requirements
The only things you'll need for this are a Pixel 7 and the December 2022 update. If you haven't yet, make sure to go to Settings > System > System Update and check for the update. If it's available (it should be), make sure to apply it.
Also: Google Pixel 7 vs Pixel 7 Pro: How to buy the right one for you
With that taken care of, let's enable Clear Calling to improve your Pixel phone call experience.
1. Open Settings
Open your Android app drawer. Locate and tap the Settings icon to open the Settings app.
2. Open "Sound & vibration"
From the Settings app, locate and tap the "Sound & vibration" entry.
Clear calling is a part of the Sound & vibration section of the Android Settings app.
3. Open Clear Calling
On the Sound & vibration page, locate and tap the "Clear calling" entry.
Clear Calling is only found on Pixel 7 devices with the December 2022 update applied.
4. Enable Clear Calling
You should now be on the Clear Calling page. Tap the ON/OFF slider for "Use clear calling" to enable the feature.
Review: Google's best Pixel phones zoom past Samsung on this one camera feature
Once it's enabled, you can close out the settings app.
Enable Clear Calling by moving the ON/OFF switch to the ON position.
And that's all there is to enabling Clear Calling on your Pixel 7 device. You should now experience much-improved phone call sounds and be able to hear and be heard much better. Believe me when I say the Pixel devices have needed this feature for some time, as the phone call experience has been less than acceptable. With the help of Clear Calling, Pixel phones are on par with any handset on the market with regards to phone call clarity.