Your phone screens calls. What happens when it can’t?
Built-in call screening asks unknown callers who they are, but only while your phone is on and not roaming. Vicem is an AI on its own number: it answers the calls you miss even with your phone off or abroad, takes the message and asks you before anything important.
What does built-in call screening do well?
- It’s free on newer phones.
- It asks unknown callers their name and why they’re calling, before your phone rings.
- You read what they said and decide whether to pick up.
Where does built-in call screening stop?
- Abroad, it stops: “If you’re roaming, phone calls are not screened, regardless of settings.”Apple support
- The same on other phones: “Call Screen won’t screen calls automatically during roaming.”Google support
- Automatic screening works in five countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.Google support
Checked on October 6, 2026
Where does built-in screening stop?
Phone off, dead or abroad? Vicem still answers.
It runs on its own number, not on your phone. So it works on a plane, with a flat battery, or when you have no signal.
After your phone asks who’s calling, the caller waits for you. Nothing replies to them, and nothing is kept that anyone can check later.
How do they compare?
| What it does | Built-in call screening | Vicem |
|---|---|---|
| Works when your phone is off | Built-in call screeningNo | VicemYes |
| Emails the caller back | Built-in call screeningNo | VicemYes |
| Its own number, email and page | Built-in call screeningNo | VicemYes |
| Speaks the caller’s language | Built-in call screeningSome | Vicem16 languages |
| Asks you before anything important | Built-in call screeningNo | VicemYes |
| Anyone can check what it did | Built-in call screeningNo | VicemYes |
| Works on any phone | Built-in call screeningNewer phones only | VicemYes |
| Robocalls and silent calls we screen out in the first seconds never count against your minutes, nor do calls that fail on our side | Does not apply | VicemYes |
Only things Vicem does today are listed. “Varies” means products of that kind differ. An empty cell means it doesn’t apply.
Already have call screening? Keep it on.
Your phone’s screening asks who’s calling while your phone is on. Vicem picks up the calls you still miss, and does something about them.
What do people ask?
Does Vicem replace my phone’s call screening?
No. Keep it on. Vicem answers the calls you still miss, including when your phone is off.
Does call screening work abroad?
Not automatically. Apple says: “If you’re roaming, phone calls are not screened, regardless of settings.” Google says: “Call Screen won’t screen calls automatically during roaming.”
Does Vicem say it’s an AI?
Yes. Vicem always says it’s an AI. Every call starts with: “Hi, this is Sam’s AI.”
Want it answering your calls?
Vicem is an AI that answers your phone when you can’t. Free for 14 days.
Get your Vicem