Android introduces a new indicator for emergency calls

Android users will soon be able to mark their calls as urgent, so that the recipient will see an “urgent” indicator on their screen when they receive a call. The label will also be visible in their call history. This is a new Call Reason feature in the beta version of Google’s Phone app, but it will only work between contacts stored in the phone book and only if both users are using Google’s default calling apps on their phones.

The feature is designed for situations where someone frequently sends a call to voicemail, or when friends simply don't pick up the phone even though it's urgent. This allows the caller to indicate when the call is ringing that it's important, without having to send a message first or explain it later. This can make communication easier in times when it's important for the recipient to know that the call is not random or unimportant.

Initially, the Call Reason feature will only allow you to mark calls as urgent, but it would be nice to expand the feature, such as the ability to add a short explanation or personalized note that would tell the recipient more specifically why you're calling. Since the label also appears in your call history, it could serve as a useful reminder to respond to a particular call.

Call Reason is available as a beta feature, so availability will vary by phone manufacturer. Users can check for the update now by clicking on their profile in the Google Play Store, going to the Manage apps & devices tab, and selecting Check for updates. They can also check their phone's settings to make sure Phone by Google is set as the default calling app.