New iPhone Feature Aims to Tackle Nuisance Calls

LONDON — iPhone users now have a new way to filter out annoying phone calls with a feature that screens incoming calls from unknown numbers.

This addition is part of the latest iOS 26 update that Apple unveiled last month. It’s particularly relevant now, considering the growing number of robocalls and spam that frustrate many users.

How to Enable Call Screening

To use this feature, you’ll first need to ensure your iPhone is running iOS 26, which is compatible with models starting from the iPhone 11.

To turn on call screening, navigate to Settings, then Apps, and select Phone. Here, you should find an option called Screen Unknown Callers.

You’ll see three settings: the “Never” option lets unknown calls ring through, while “Silence” redirects them to voicemail. The best choice, I think, is the “Ask Reason for Calling” option.

If you can’t find the setting, a simple restart of your phone can sometimes do the trick. Initially, I also struggled to locate it, but after some research, I changed my region and language settings, solving the issue.

How It Operates

So, what exactly happens when you receive a call? Well, if a number isn’t in your contacts, a voice similar to Siri will prompt the caller to state their name and the reason for calling.

Simultaneously, you’ll receive a notification about the screening. Once the caller responds, the information will be transcribed, allowing you to see it in speech bubbles.

If you’re not ready to pick up, you can use pre-written responses like “I’ll call you later” or send a custom message that the voice will relay. If you don’t react immediately, the phone will keep ringing as you decide whether or not to answer.

Initial Feedback

In theory, this feature offers a middle ground between completely silencing unfamiliar callers and permitting all calls. But, it’s not flawless. Some users have shared mixed experiences on social media.

One colleague was impressed with its functionality, while another found it useful for filtering out solicitation calls. Yet, they noted some frustration when delivery drivers hung up instead of engaging with the screening process.

Others online echoed similar frustrations, mentioning missed important calls, possibly because callers didn’t realize they needed to continue the conversation. Personally, I had a bit of confusion the first time it activated for me. An unknown caller mentioned my name, which threw me off, and I ended up answering, only to find it was someone soliciting for a survey.

If this feature isn’t working for you, turning it off is straightforward.

What About Android?

Apple is playing catch-up with Google, which has had a similar automated call screening option for Pixel users for a while now.

Recently, Google expanded the feature to additional countries such as Australia, Canada, and Ireland. Users can find the call screening option in the Phone app’s settings.

Google’s system is arguably more automated. It will ask callers for their identity and purpose, disconnecting if it believes the call is a junk one while allowing legitimate ones to come through. However, Google itself cautions that not every spam call can be identified.

Samsung also offers similar functionality for its Galaxy Android devices using the AI assistant Bixby’s text call feature.