Creating iPhone-Style Calling Cards on Android Devices

Google is introducing a new feature for Android users known as “Calling Cards.”This functionality resembles a feature that has long been available to iPhone users, enabling individuals to craft full-screen posters for their contacts, which will be displayed when they receive a call. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll illustrate how to design your initial Calling Card utilizing Google’s solution. For those who prefer an alternative approach, we have included a different method for creating Calling Cards as well.

Setting Up Google’s Calling Cards on Android

The Calling Cards feature is accessible via Google’s Phone app, which is pre-installed as the default app on many Android devices. If your device lacks this app, you can easily download it from the Google Play Store.

To access the new feature, it’s important to ensure your Google Phone app is updated. However, keep in mind that the rollout of the feature may be gradual; you might find it available on some devices and not others—such as the situation in my household where two out of three phones have the feature enabled.

To get started, open the Phone app on your device. If this is your first time using Calling Cards, you should see a banner at the top of the screen that reads Introducing calling card. Click the Get started button to proceed.

Next, tap the Add button to create a new card.

Select a contact from your list for whom you wish to create a Calling Card. You’ll then be prompted to design your poster. Tap on Gallery to pick an image for this contact, or you can use the Camera option to take a new photo at that moment.

Modifying font and color for Calling Card in Phone app by Google.

Adjust the image to properly frame the subject. Depending on the selected image, choose an appropriate font style and color for the contact’s name, ensuring adequate contrast for easy readability.

If the announcement banner isn’t visible on the main Phone app screen, tap on a specific contact. You should find a new feature alert below the Call/Message buttons.

Announcement banner visible in contact page in Phone app by Google.

Alternatively, click on the pencil icon situated in the upper-right corner of the screen.

In the section labeled Picture & calling card, you can set a distinct contact image along with the Calling Card to be displayed during incoming calls. Select the second option to set up a Calling Card.

Editing Calling Card from contact page in Phone app by Google.

Once you confirm your image selection, the app will prompt you to decide whether to use the same image as the contact card. Choose Confirm and crop to proceed or Skip if you prefer a different image.

After establishing a Calling Card for a contact, it will be displayed prominently on that contact’s page within the Phone app.

Contact page full view in Phone app by Google.

From this point forward, whenever you call this individual, their customized image will be shown on your screen.

Calling a contact for which you set up a Calling Card using the Phone app by Google.

When this contact calls you, the following is how their Calling Card will appear.

It’s important to note that unlike the iPhone’s Contact Posters, you cannot create a Calling Card that will show on the screens of others when you call them. The recipient must establish their own Calling Card for you, and you do not have the capability to alter the appearance of that card.

Exploring an Alternative to Google’s Calling Cards

If the Calling Cards feature isn’t available on your device and you’re looking for a quicker alternative or prefer not to use Google’s app, you can opt for a third-party solution.

One excellent option is the Jolt app, which provides similar functionalities along with enhanced customization opportunities.

Download the app from the Play Store and designate it as your default phone application upon first launch.

Setting Jolt app as default Phone app on Android.

Upon opening the Jolt app, you will find a user interface resembling Google’s Phone app, but it includes additional features, such as an integrated Notes section directly accessible from the main screen.

To create your Calling Card, navigate to the Recent section at the bottom and tap the hamburger menu located in the upper left corner.

Tapping hamburger menu in Jolt app on Android.

Select Customize call screen from the left-side menu options.

Next, tap on Background.

Pressing on Background option for contact in Jolt app.

Select Image or Video to specify the background. Choose either option from the pop-up and select your desired media.

Opting if you want an image or video background for contact calling card in Jolt app.

Subsequently, return to the previous screen and click on Style to explore additional customization options.

Customization options for calling card in Jolt app.

On this screen, you can select the appearance of your calling interface—choosing styles reminiscent of iPhone or Samsung devices.

Selecting new answering style for contact card in Jolt app.

Further customization includes adjusting your Calling Card’s layout, configuring buttons, and assigning unique ringtones for specific contacts, all available from this interface. Check out the outcome of a customized Calling Card created using Jolt below:

Modifying calling card created with Jolt app on Android.

Calling Cards represent an effective way to identify who is calling at a glance on your Android device. Additionally, you can set custom ringtones for specific contacts as another measure to enhance this recognition—using either Jolt or your device’s integrated settings, as detailed in our guide.

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