iOS 26 Call Screening lets you skip spam calls

Sick of wasting time answering calls from unknown numbers? With iOS 26, your iPhone now has Call Screening built right in. Instead of leaving you in the dark, Apple’s new feature prompts callers to identify themselves. You’ll see a live transcription of their response, giving you the power to decide if the call is worth answering.

What Call Screening does

Call Screening takes the guesswork out of unknown calls. Here’s how it works:

• When an unknown number calls, your iPhone asks the caller to say who they are.
• Their response is instantly transcribed on your screen.
• You decide whether to pick up, send it to voicemail, or ignore it.

This means fewer interruptions, less spam, and more control over your phone.

How to set up Call Screening in iOS 26

You can enable Call Screening in just a few steps:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
• Scroll down and tap Apps.
• Then, click Phone.
• Under Screen Unknown Numbers, choose Ask Reason for Calling.
• From there, your iPhone will automatically prompt calls from unsaved numbers to identify themselves before your iPhone rings.

Note: Calling and data rates may apply. Call Screening may not block every spam or scam attempt, and some legitimate callers may hang up if they’re asked to state their reason. The availability of the feature may vary depending on the carrier, region, language settings, or device. Roaming may disable call screening. Apple also notes that emergency calls temporarily disable screening for 24 hours.

Optional: Silence Unknown Callers in iOS 26

• In the same menu, choose Silence to send unknown numbers straight to voicemail. However, this may cause you to miss important calls from businesses, deliveries, or medical providers that aren’t in your contacts.

Why Call Screening matters

Robocalls and scam attempts are still a massive issue, and they waste valuable time. With Call Screening in iOS 26, you gain a smart filter that lets you see who’s on the other end before you ever commit to answering. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in protecting both your privacy and your peace of mind.

Stop spam before it starts by removing your personal info

Another smart step is to cut off robocalls and sapm at the source by reducing how much of your personal information is available online in the first place. Even with iOS automatically filtering suspicious texts, scammers often find you because your phone number, email, or address is floating around on data broker sites.

Services like Incogni can help by acting on your behalf to contact these data brokers and request that your personal details be removed. The fewer places your information appears, the fewer opportunities scammers have to target you with unwanted calls and texts.

Using a data removal service works best as part of a layered approach: let iOS handle incoming spam, while you also take steps to keep your information from being so widely available in the first place.

Is your personal information exposed online?

Run a free scan to see if your personal info is compromised. Results arrive by email in about an hour.

Related Links: 

• New macOS malware bypasses Apple security to steal your data
• Apple issues new spyware threat alerts to users
• Even with Trump’s tariff blessing, Apple hikes iPhone 17 prices

More iOS26 tips here

Kurt’s key takeaways

Apple’s Call Screening in iOS 26 is one of the most useful new features. It saves time, reduces stress, and keeps you in charge of your calls.

What other features would you like Apple to come up with to help you with other issues you face while using your iPhone? Let us know in the comments below. 

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