Say Goodbye to Junk Calls on Your iPhone: Discover iOS 26’s Game-Changing Call Screen Feature!

LONDON (AP) — iPhone users now have a new feature to tackle pesky nuisance calls. This virtual gatekeeper screens calls from unknown numbers, and it’s part of the recent iOS 26 update. As robocalls and spam become more common, many users find relief in this tool.

To use call screening, first update your iPhone to iOS 26. This update is available for the iPhone 11 and newer models.

Once updated, go to Settings > Phone and enable Screen Unknown Callers. You’ll have three choices: let unknown calls ring, silence them, or ask the caller for their name and reason for calling. The middle option is the most useful.

Sometimes, you might not see this feature right away. Ensure your region and language settings are correct. This helped one user who found it wasn’t working due to outdated settings.

How It Works

With call screening, unknown callers can’t reach you directly. When someone not in your contacts calls, a voice will prompt them to state their name and purpose. Meanwhile, you’ll get a notification letting you know the call is being screened. Their response gets transcribed, and you can see it on your screen.

If you prefer not to answer, you can send a predefined message like “I’ll call you later” through AI. You also have the option to type your own message.

User Experiences

While many find this feature helpful, it’s not perfect. Some users, like an AP colleague, found it worked seamlessly for blocking cold calls. However, others have reported issues when important calls, like those from service providers, didn’t come through. Some callers may not realize they have to engage with the screening process.

In one instance, a user answered thinking the caller was a familiar contact, only to find it was a survey soliciter.

Competition with Android

Apple’s new screening tool catches up with a feature Google introduced years ago for its Pixel phones. Recently, Google expanded this feature to Australia, Canada, and Ireland. When an unknown number calls, Google’s system can determine if it’s a spam call and hang up accordingly, ensuring legit calls get through.

Samsung offers similar screening options via its Bixby assistant, showcasing how major phone manufacturers are addressing the increasing issue of unwanted calls.

Conclusion

As calls become more of a nuisance, features like call screening can help users regain control. While there may be a learning curve, especially for callers who aren’t aware of the process, the tool provides a balance between silencing all unknown calls and letting them all ring through.

For more insights on tech trends, consider checking out expert resources like TechCrunch or Wired.

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