Google has rolled out a genuinely helpful update to its Contacts app. It introduces a new feature called the Google Contacts Recent Activity Card. This smart addition brings your most recent calls and messages together in one place, right on a contact’s detail page.

Sound familiar? That’s because the feature borrows clear inspiration from the Pixel-only VIPs widget, but on a larger canvas. Let’s take a closer look at how it works, what you’ll need to use it.

What is the “Recent Activity” Card, exactly?

The new card resides on individual contact pages within the Google Contacts app. It presents your most recent calls–answered and missed–and SMS messages you’ve been swapping with that contact.

It appears just below the contact’s core info and presents a scrollable, at-a-glance call and message history. This smart feature spares you the inconvenience of jumping between the Phone and Messages apps, letting you view all recent interactions in one unified place.

A Pixel-Style Touch for Every Person

Pixel users might recognize this idea from the VIPs widget. It offers a dynamic home screen view of communication history with your favorite people. That widget even integrates WhatsApp messages, birthdays, and location-sharing.

Whereas the “Recent Activity” card doesn’t quite extend that far—it’s less dynamic. Google is putting this timeline-esque experience in front of a broader swath of Android users.

Who Gets It, and What You Need 

To give the feature a spin, ensure that your device is running Google Contacts v4.58 or later. 

To include your messages next to calls, do not forget to grant the Contacts app SMS permissions. If not, the card will show your call history only.

Why It’s Useful

It’s an easy thing to forget about a small feature like this. However, the “Recent Activity” card brings a sense of everyday convenience.

It eliminates the friction of jumping between separate apps just to reconstruct your previous conversation.

It also provides the most recent time you spoke to an individual or how often you’ve remained in touch. This is beneficial in managing both your workplace as well as personal relationships.

And perhaps most important, it makes using your phone as an all-around device appear more intentional and integral.

How to Use It

To begin is easy: 

Get a fresh version through the Play Store.

Open any contact from your list.

Scroll down to locate the “Recent Activity” section.

Access SMS permission.

What could This Mean for the Future?

It can be an indication of something larger, as Google could be aiming for an all-in-one communication hub in Android. We could potentially end up seeing this card include third-party messaging applications.

There’s also potential for deeper insights, such as tracking call duration, frequency, or even contextual reminders based on communication habits. If Google pulls this off, however, it can revolutionize the manner in which contact-based interactions are performed on Android.

Conclusion

The “Recent Activity” card may not revolutionize the way you use your phone in a single night. However, it is a clever, considered upgrade. It reduces the digital clutter and puts your communication history in clearer focus—all in the comforting Contacts app. 

It’s also an indicator that Google is transitioning away from closed-off apps to an open, people-centric experience. This is where the person you are communicating with is important, not the app you are communicating on.