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    4 min read 6 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    10 Google Pixel Phone Features You Should Be Using

    Pixel phones have unique features you will not find on other Android phones: Call Screen, Magic Eraser, Real Tone, Now Playing, and more. Here is how to use them.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Phone & Tablet
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    4 min read
    Steps
    6
    Topics covered
    google pixel
    android
    pixel tips
    call screen
    magic eraser
    features

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Use Call Screen for Unknown Callers
    2. 2.Remove Objects With Magic Eraser
    3. 3.Enable Now Playing for Music Recognition
    4. 4.Use Live Translate
    5. 5.Access the Pixel's Best Camera Features
    6. 6.Use the Recorder App for Transcription
    1

    Use Call Screen for Unknown Callers

    ~28s
    When an unknown number calls, tap "Screen call" instead of answering. Google Assistant says "Hi, the owner is using Call Screen. What's this call about?" The caller responds and a live transcript appears on your screen. Tap "Answer" to join, "It's spam" to report it, or "Hang up" — all without ever speaking to the caller.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: Enable automatic call screening for suspected spam calls. Go to Phone appSettingsSpam and Call ScreenCall ScreenScreen calls automatically.

    2

    Remove Objects With Magic Eraser

    ~19s
    Open Google Photos on your Pixel. Find a photo with something you want to remove — a stranger, a trash can, a stop sign. Tap "Edit" → "Tools" → "Magic Eraser." The Pixel highlights objects it suggests removing. Tap any suggestion to erase it, or draw a circle around anything else to erase it manually.
    3

    Enable Now Playing for Music Recognition

    ~17s
    Go to SettingsSound & vibration → Now Playing. Toggle it on. The Pixel passively recognizes music playing nearby and shows the song and artist on your lock screen — no button press needed. Tap the song name to see more details or add it to a playlist.
    4

    Use Live Translate

    ~17s
    Pixel phones can translate conversations in real time using the Recorder app or the Live Translate feature in Messages and other apps. In the Recorder app, switch the language and speak — the app transcribes and translates simultaneously. This is built in and works without an internet connection for supported languages.
    5

    Access the Pixel's Best Camera Features

    ~21s
    Open the Camera app. Use "Action Pan" (in More modes) to create a motion blur effect that makes subjects look like they are moving at high speed. Try "Long Exposure" to create silky waterfall effects or light trails at night. The "Best Take" feature (Pixel 8+) takes multiple group photos and lets you swap faces so everyone has their best expression.
    6

    Use the Recorder App for Transcription

    ~18s
    Open the Recorder app (pre-installed on all Pixels). Tap the red record button. The app transcribes speech in real time as a text transcript — great for meetings, doctor appointments, or interviews. Everything stays on the device and is never sent to Google's servers. Search the transcript by keyword after recording.

    You Did It!

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    Google Pixel phones run the purest version of Android and include exclusive features built by Google that do not exist on Samsung, Motorola, or other Android phones. Many Pixel owners use their phone for years without knowing about these powerful built-in tools.

    Call Screen is one of the most praised Pixel-only features. When an unknown number calls you, Google Assistant answers on your behalf, asks the caller why they are calling, and shows you a live transcript of their response on your screen. You read what they say and decide whether to pick up, mark it as spam, or hang up — without ever putting the phone to your ear.

    Magic Eraser, found in the Google Photos app, removes unwanted objects from photos with one tap. Photobomb ruined a beach photo? Select the person in the background and erase them. Magic Eraser uses AI to fill in the background smoothly.

    Now Playing is a passive music recognition feature. Even when your phone is locked, the Pixel quietly listens for nearby music and displays the song name on your lock screen — without sending any audio to Google's servers. It works offline using a local database.

    These are just a few of the features that make Pixel phones uniquely useful.

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    google pixel
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    pixel tips
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    Official Resources

    Apple Support — iPhoneGoogle Help — AndroidSamsung Support

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    10 Google Pixel Phone Features You Should Be Using — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure