Bixby Text Call - Screen Your Incoming Calls (One UI 5 .1)

Naveen Thakur

6 Mar, 2023

Bixby Text Call – Screen Your Incoming Calls Effortlessly with One UI 5.1

In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing incoming calls can often be a hassle. Whether it’s spam calls, telemarketers, or unknown numbers, unwanted calls disrupt your flow and productivity. Samsung’s innovative AI assistant, Bixby, introduces an intelligent feature called Bixby Text Call in One UI 5.1, designed to help you screen incoming calls using real-time text conversation.

In this blog, we will dive deep into what Bixby Text Call is, how it works, its benefits, setup instructions, and why it is a must-have for Samsung Galaxy users running One UI 5.1 or later. If you want to regain control over your calls and avoid unwanted interruptions, this feature will change how you interact with phone calls forever.

What is Bixby Text Call?

Bixby Text Call is an innovative feature powered by Samsung’s Bixby AI assistant, allowing users to screen incoming calls by automatically answering them and converting the caller’s voice into live text on your screen. Instead of picking up the phone, you can read the caller's message in real time and reply via text responses without ever speaking on the phone.

Imagine being able to answer calls discreetly in meetings, noisy environments, or even while you are busy with other tasks—all without needing to talk or pick up the phone. This is what Bixby Text Call enables.

How Does Bixby Text Call Work?

When an incoming call arrives, you have the option to activate Bixby Text Call. Once enabled:

Bixby automatically answers the call on your behalf.
The caller’s voice is converted to real-time text on your screen.
You can read what the caller is saying without picking up.
You can respond by typing pre-set or custom messages.
Bixby will convert your text responses back to voice for the caller.
You maintain control of the conversation via text, minimizing interruptions and misunderstandings.

This intelligent voice-to-text and text-to-voice conversion is powered by Samsung’s advanced AI and speech recognition technology, optimized for clear and seamless interactions.

Why is Bixby Text Call a Game-Changer?

1. Screen Calls Without Answering

You don’t have to awkwardly pick up a call from an unknown or unwanted number. Bixby Text Call lets you screen and filter calls with ease, giving you the power to decide if you want to engage or ignore.

2. Maintain Privacy and Convenience

No more shouting on the phone in public or disturbing colleagues in meetings. You can handle calls silently by reading and responding to text, which is ideal in quiet or professional environments.

3. Protect Against Spam and Scams

Spam calls have become increasingly intrusive. With Bixby Text Call, you can quickly identify spam callers by reading their message content live without answering, preventing potential scams.

4. Accessibility Improvement

For users with hearing impairments or speech difficulties, Bixby Text Call provides a new way to interact with phone calls through text, making communication more accessible.

5. Saves Time and Effort

Bixby Text Call allows multitasking by enabling you to handle calls via text while continuing your work or activities without interruption.

Bixby Text Call vs Traditional Call Screening

While traditional call screening apps simply block or send unknown numbers to voicemail, Bixby Text Call elevates this experience by:

Enabling two-way communication in real time via text.
Offering intelligent AI transcription of caller’s voice.
Letting you respond immediately without voice.
Integrating seamlessly with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 for smooth, native experience.

Devices Compatible with Bixby Text Call

Bixby Text Call is available on Samsung Galaxy devices running One UI 5.1 and later with Android 13 or above. Compatible models typically include:

Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S23 series
Galaxy Z Fold4, Z Flip4
Galaxy Z Fold5, Z Flip5
Galaxy A-series devices with One UI 5.1 updates

Check your device’s software update status to enable this feature.

How to Enable and Use Bixby Text Call on One UI 5.1

Here’s a step-by-step guide to activate and start using Bixby Text Call on your Samsung Galaxy phone:

Step 1: Update Your Phone to One UI 5.1 or Higher

Go to Settings > Software update and ensure your device is updated to One UI 5.1 or above.
This feature requires Android 13 or newer.

Step 2: Enable Bixby Text Call

Open the Phone app.
Tap the three-dot menu on the top right and select Settings.
Scroll down and tap Bixby Text Call.
Toggle the feature On.
You might be prompted to allow microphone and accessibility permissions—accept them to proceed.

Step 3: Screen Incoming Calls with Bixby Text Call

When a call comes in, you will see the option Screen with Bixby Text Call.
Tap it to let Bixby answer the call and start the live transcription.
Read the caller’s messages in real time.
Respond by selecting quick reply options or typing your own text.
Bixby converts your text back into voice and continues the conversation on your behalf.

Customizing Bixby Text Call for Your Preferences

Samsung allows you to personalize your Bixby Text Call experience for convenience:

Quick Replies: Customize or add your own canned responses to reply faster.
Auto-Reply: Set an automatic message if you don’t want to engage in the conversation.
Transcription Speed: Adjust how quickly the text appears on your screen.
Caller Filtering: Block or send unknown numbers directly to voicemail.

Real-Life Use Cases of Bixby Text Call

In Professional Meetings

No need to excuse yourself repeatedly for phone calls during meetings. You can discreetly read what the caller is saying and respond quickly without disturbing others.

While Driving

If you need to stay focused on the road, Bixby Text Call lets you “answer” calls safely without speaking or looking away.

Managing Spam Calls

Identify spam calls immediately without picking up. If the caller is legitimate, you can engage; otherwise, ignore or block.

For Accessibility

Hearing-impaired users can receive calls in readable text format, improving their communication experience.

Tips to Maximize Your Bixby Text Call Experience

Stay Updated: Keep your device updated with the latest One UI and Android versions for best AI performance.
Use Wi-Fi or Strong Network: Since it uses cloud-based AI, a stable internet connection improves transcription accuracy.
Customize Quick Replies: Tailor the quick reply options to fit your style for faster responses.
Try Bixby Voice Integration: Pair Bixby Text Call with Bixby Voice commands for hands-free call management.
Review Permissions: Ensure microphone and accessibility permissions are granted for seamless operation.

FAQs About Bixby Text Call

Is Bixby Text Call free to use?

Yes, Bixby Text Call is a built-in feature on Samsung Galaxy devices with no additional cost. However, it requires an internet connection.

Can I use Bixby Text Call for international calls?

Currently, Bixby Text Call works for incoming calls on your device number and depends on region and carrier support. Some international calls may not be supported.

Does it work with all types of calls?

It works primarily with voice calls on the native Phone app. VoIP calls or third-party apps like WhatsApp calls are not supported yet.

Can I save transcripts of Bixby Text Call conversations?

No, Bixby Text Call is designed for live screening and does not store transcripts due to privacy considerations.

How accurate is the transcription?

Samsung’s AI provides high accuracy, but background noise or unclear speech may affect transcription quality.

Final Thoughts: Should You Use Bixby Text Call?

If you frequently get unwanted or unknown calls, attend meetings, or simply want a modern, intelligent way to manage calls, Bixby Text Call is a powerful tool. It enhances your Samsung Galaxy phone’s call handling by combining AI with convenience and privacy.

By using Bixby Text Call on One UI 5.1, you can transform the way you deal with calls, screen effectively, and respond on your terms — all without the need to pick up or speak.

Give Bixby Text Call a try today and experience the future of call management on your Samsung device!