Google Pixel Call Screen and Call Forwarding

If you forward missed calls from a Google Pixel, turn off automatic Call Screen before you test forwarding. Google says calls answered by Call Screen won’t be forwarded. Use manual screening for calls you want the Pixel to handle, and leave a call untouched if you want your carrier’s unanswered-call rule to handle it.

Which setting should you use?

• Screen on the Pixel. Turn on automatic Call Screen where supported, or tap Screen call when your phone rings.
• Forward a missed call. Turn off automatic Call Screen, leave the test call unanswered, and check that it arrives at your forwarding destination.
• Check voicemail separately. If Pixel’s Take a Message answers instead, check its setting before you change your carrier’s forwarding rules.

How to turn on or off Call Screen on a Pixel

1. Update Phone by Google, then open Phone → More → Settings.
2. Open Call Screen or Spam and Call Screen, then tap Call Screen. The wording and controls vary by model and region.
3. To use automatic screening, select the protection options your phone offers. To turn it off, disable automatic screening or set the automatic caller categories to ring your phone, depending on your model.
4. For manual screening, tap Screen call when it appears on an incoming call. The phone asks why the caller rang and shows their response so you can choose whether to answer.

Google lists automatic Pixel screening in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland. Manual screening is available in more countries, with model restrictions in India and a supported-country SIM required. If you cannot find the setting, check Google’s compatibility list for your model and SIM. Google Phone help

What happens when Call Screen and forwarding are both on?

What happens on the incoming call	Where it goes
Automatic Call Screen answers, or you tap Screen call	The Pixel screens the call. Google says screened calls do not forward.
The Pixel rings and nobody answers	The carrier’s unanswered-call rule can forward it if the line and plan support that rule and the destination is set correctly.
The carrier always forwards the call	On plans that offer immediate forwarding, the Pixel may never ring. There is then no incoming call for the Pixel to screen.

Carrier settings vary. AT&T lists an unanswered option for compatible Pixel lines. Google Fi manages forwarding in the Fi app or website and offers a different set of routing choices. Check your plan before using a dial code or changing a voicemail destination. AT&T Pixel forwarding options · Google Fi forwarding options

Test where a missed call goes

1. Set up the test. Note your current settings and confirm that your carrier is set to forward unanswered calls. Turn off automatic Call Screen. Ask someone to call from a number you can test with, ideally one outside your contacts. Use a caller number different from the forwarding destination.
2. Confirm forwarding works first. Let the Pixel ring without answering, declining or tapping Screen call. Confirm that the other phone rings, the intended voicemail receives the call, or the expected assistant logs it. Note how long it takes. If nothing reaches the intended destination, fix that first.
3. Compare with a screened call. On a test line, have the same person call again and tap Screen call if offered. Have the caller stay on the line through the time forwarding took in the first test, unless the Pixel ends the call sooner. Check the destination again. If you can’t start screening, the comparison is inconclusive.
4. Restore your settings. Put back any forwarding or voicemail settings you changed just for the test.

We checked Google and carrier documentation on November 13, 2026. We have yet to run this comparison on a live carrier line. Use the steps above to verify your own line.

See how to set up Android call forwarding, how to verify conditional forwarding, or how Google Call Screen compares with OsmO.