Google Discontinues ‘Call Home’ Feature for Smart Speakers, Sparking User Outcry
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA - Google has quietly removed the “Call Home” function from its Google Home app, eliminating a popular feature that allowed users to make voice calls to smart speakers and displays within their homes. The discontinuation, first noted by users on Reddit, has prompted concern and frustration from those who relied on the service as a landline replacement.
Introduced in 2019, when powered by Google Duo, “Call Home” enabled hands-free calling to connected devices, offering convenience for users, particularly those frequently away from their phones. While outgoing calls from smart devices to user smartphones remain functional, the ability to initiate calls to the home from the app is no longer available.
Google has not issued an official statement explaining the removal. The change arrives amidst a broader transition within Google’s smart home platform, marked by the recent integration of its Gemini artificial intelligence model and the phasing out of google assistant.
“I hope they bring this feature back. We use it every day when my wife and I travel for work,” one Reddit user commented, reflecting a sentiment echoed by many others online.
The move raises questions about Google’s future direction for its smart home ecosystem, despite ongoing investment in new product launches and AI integration. The company’s silence on the matter has fueled speculation and left users uncertain about the long-term availability of other key features.
