Table of Contents
Nowadays, people have become much more dependent on their smartphones for various tasks. One of the most important tasks is making a call. But, sometimes it can be challenging to call someone when your hands are not free. Luckily, voice commands have made it possible to make a call without touching your phone. In today’s blog post, we will discuss how to call using voice commands in Android.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Calling with Hands-Free in Android
Making phone calls while driving or carrying heavy objects can be harmful, but it can also be inconvenient. Using hands-free calling can be the answer to this inconvenience. There are several methods to make hands-free calls, but some of them are not so practical. We need a reliable way to call without touching the screen when our hands are busy. Voice commands are handy for making hands-free calls.
Things You Should Prepare for
To use voice commands on your Android phone, you need to enable voice commands and train your phone to recognize your voice. The voice assistant responsible for voice commands is Google Assistant. If you haven’t set up Google Assistant, follow the steps below to set up the voice assistant:
- Launch the Google Assistant by pressing and holding the Home button or saying "OK Google".
- Click on the Explore button located at the bottom right corner of your screen.
- At the top right corner of the screen is a compass icon. Tap on it and then View all.
- Tap on Your Stuff to view your settings, add reminders, or control other settings.
Method 1: Using Google Assistant to Call Someone
Google Assistant can perform many functions without touching your phone. You can ask Google Assistant to make a call in the following way:
- Activate Google Assistant by tapping the microphone icon on the search bar.
- Ask Google Assistant to call someone or say the name of the person you want to call.
- If the name has more than one person, a list with contacts’ names will appear on the screen. Tap on the right one to call.
- You can also say, "Ok Google, Call Jane at work," and the call will be initiated.
Pros:
Pros:
- Hands-free calling can be a safer and more convenient way to make phone calls.
- You can initiate a call without touching your phone with this method.
- Anyone can easily implement this method because it does not require special equipment or skills.
Cons:
Cons:
- The voice recognition may not always be accurate, leading to the wrong name being called.
- Google Assistant may not understand specific accents or names.
- People might find it difficult to use this method in a noisy environment.
Method 2: Using Third-Party Apps
There are several third-party applications available on Google Play Store to make hands-free calls. These applications use your phone’s speaker and microphone for call reception and transmission. Follow the steps below to make hands-free calls using third-party applications:
- Install one of the third-party applications from Google Play Store.
- Open the application and give necessary permissions to use the microphone and speaker.
- Configure the app and set up voice recognition, if required.
- Use voice commands to make calls, and the application will follow your instructions.
Pros:
Pros:
- This method is more reliable than Google Assistant because it uses third-party software.
- Many third-party applications have additional features, such as call recording, voice recognition, and phone book integration.
- Third-party applications usually have better compatibility with different accents.
Cons:
Cons:
- Some third-party applications are not free, and you need to pay for additional features or services.
- These applications may have a privacy issue.
- Third-party applications may require additional hardware like a headset or microphone to work.
Method 3: Connect To Car Audio
Many modern cars come with audio systems that enable hands-free calling. These audio systems allow drivers to connect their phone to the car’s audio system via Bluetooth or a USB connection. After connecting your phone, you can use the car’s microphone and speaker to make hands-free calls. Follow the steps below to connect your phone to your car:
- Open the settings app on your phone.
- Search for ‘Bluetooth’ and turn it on.
- Find nearby devices and select your car’s audio system.
- After pairing, your car’s audio system may automatically download your contacts.
- You can now use voice commands to make calls.
Pros:
Pros:
- The sound quality of your calls will be much better than the previous methods.
- This method can be much safer because you don’t have to touch your phone or wear headphones.
- This method is more convenient because you can make hands-free calls just by connecting your phone to your car.
Cons:
Cons:
- This method is only for those who have a car with a modern audio system.
- You will need to be in your car for this method to work.
- The pairing process of Bluetooth can be confusing and may take some time to work correctly.
Why Can’t I Make Hands-Free Calls in My Android Phone and Fixes
Q: Why can’t I make hands-free calls on my Android phone?
A: There are several reasons why you cannot make hands-free calls on your Android phone. Below are some reasons and potential fixes:
- Reason: Your phone doesn’t have a voice assistant app like Google Assistant installed. You can download one from Google Play Store.
- Reason: You have not enabled the voice recognition feature in your phone’s settings. You can enable it from the settings app.
- Reason: You have not trained your voice assistant app to recognize your voice. You can train your voice assistant from the settings app.
- Reason: Your microphone might be broken or malfunctioning. Check your phone’s microphone with the diagnostic tools available on your phone or through a professional repair service.
Additional Tips
- If you are in public and don’t want to talk to your phone loudly, you can use a pair of headphones or earbuds with a mic.
- If Google Assistant does not recognize a person’s name, try adding them to your contacts list and saying their full name when asking to call them.
- If your hands-free calling is not working well, try speaking slower and louder than usual.
- Always check the weather before turning on the hands-free calling function while driving as it may cause you to become distracted.
5 FAQs About Calling with Voice Command in Android
Q1: Does hands-free calling work when I’m not in the same room as my phone?
A1: No, hands-free calling only works when you are close to your phone. You can use Bluetooth headphones to make hands-free calls when you are not in the same room as your phone.
Q2: Can I change the default calling app for voice commands?
A2: Yes, you can change the calling app that is used with voice commands by going to your phone’s settings. Then, select the app you want to use as your default calling app.
Q3: Can I make conference calls using voice commands?
A3: Yes, you can use voice commands to make conference calls on your Android phone. You need to add the person’s name or number to the list of people you would like to call.
Q4: Will using a third-party app for hands-free calling drain my phone’s battery faster?
A4: Yes, hands-free calling uses your phone’s battery to power the speaker and microphone. Using a third-party app may cause faster battery drainage than using built-in features.
Q5: Can I use hands-free calling with smartwatches connected to my Android phone?
A5: Yes, many smartwatch makers offer hands-free calling features. You can pair and connect your smartwatch with your Android phone, and then use voice commands to make calls from your smartwatch screen.
In Conclusion
Hands-free calling is a useful feature that has made it easier and safer to make phone calls while driving or doing other tasks. This blog post has discussed several methods for making hands-free calls on an Android phone. Some of the most popular methods are using the Google Assistant app, using a third-party app, and connecting to your car’s audio system. With the help of this post, you can choose the best hands-free calling method that suits your needs.