Google rolls out Calling Cards on Android to show contact images

Google is rolling out a new personalization feature for Android phones that replaces small contact photos with fullscreen images and stylized names during calls, the company said. The Calling Cards feature began in beta this year and is now appearing in the stable Google Phone app with version 188, though Google warned the launch will be phased so some users may not see it immediately.

Calling Cards let users create a custom visual for each contact on their device by choosing a photo from the camera, gallery or Google Photos and selecting a font and color for the contact name. Once saved, the card displays as a fullscreen image for incoming and active calls, and can be optionally set as the contact's default photo. Google said cards sync to a user’s Google account so they are available across devices signed into the same account. Unlike a similar feature on iPhones, Calling Cards are device specific and are not broadcast to the people being called.

The update is part of Google’s Material 3 Expressive design refresh, which emphasizes larger imagery, bold text and redesigned controls. The Phone app also introduces interface changes alongside Calling Cards, including a...