A Glitch in Pixel Phone's "Take a Message" Feature – What Users Should Know

Introduction

Recent user reports have highlighted a bizarre glitch in Google's "Take a Message" feature on Pixel phones. This unexpected bug seems to be affecting several models, leaving users puzzled as audio messages are inadvertently sent back to callers. In this article, we'll explore the nature of the problem, affected models, and what actions you can take if you're experiencing difficulties.

Understanding the "Take a Message" Bug

According to user feedback, certain Pixel phone owners are encountering issues where the feature records their voice messages and sends them to the caller unintentionally. The phenomenon first emerged in September 2025 on Reddit, when a Pixel 5 user brought the problem to light. Following that, a Pixel 10 user also reported experiencing the same glitch in November. Additional complaints have surfaced from users of the Pixel 4a, indicating that this issue is impacting a range of devices.

What is the "Take a Message" Feature?

This feature is designed to assist users by recording audio messages from callers when they are unavailable to answer. During the call, users receive a notification stating "Taking a message," and they can access real-time transcriptions of what the caller is saying. This functionality is available for Pixel 4 and newer devices, and it also helps identify spam calls. To disable this feature, follow these steps:

1. Open the Phone app and tap the hamburger icon in the top-left corner.
2. Select Settings.
3. Navigate to the Call Assist section.
4. Toggle off "Take a Message."

Conclusion: A Minor Setback

While the glitch in the "Take a Message" feature is concerning, it currently appears to be affecting only a limited number of users. If you encounter this issue, consider disabling the feature temporarily while awaiting a resolution from Google.