IOS 26 update: More than 5 new features added to the Phone app

The Phone app in previous versions of iOS usually didn’t get much attention, but the process has evolved in iOS 26. In this version, new features have been added to prevent annoying calls and savings, which we will discuss below.

Phone app features on iOS 26

Integrated design

A new design for this app is integrated, but it is also possible to return to the classic iOS 18 design. In the new layout, recent calls, lost calls and voice messages are all displayed on the same screen. In this user interface, the popular audience is still at the top of the screen, and tabs are preserved to move to the audience and keyboard. Touching an icon containing three lines in the upper right corner can be moved between different display modes.

Call sieve

In iOS 26, contact survey capabilities have been expanded more widely. There is a capability that anonymous contactors (ie, people who are not stored in the contacts list) are calling for their name and reason for their call. This process is done automatically.

When the incoming call is made, the device requests the calling name and the reason for the call. This information is written to the user to decide to accept the call, reject or request more. The caller receives an automated response similar to the audio messenger and will be waiting until your decision making. To enable this feature, you need to turn on the “Ask Reason for Calling” option in the Phone Settings section.

Anonymous call

Instead of asking an anonymous calling information, you can still activate the silence of anonymous calls. Like the iOS 18, activating this adjustment makes calls made from unnecessary numbers and transmitted directly to the audio messenger. These calls are listed in the list of Recents and the relevant voice message will be visible.

If you do not want to use anonymous calls or call the reasons for calling, the “Screen Unknown Callars” adjustment can be set to “Never”. In this situation, anonymous calls rust like normal and missing calls appear on the Recents list.

Call filters

In addition to calling calls, iOS 26 also introduces new features for filtering calls. It is possible for calls and voice messages to be transferred from the stored numbers to the Unknown Calles’ dedicated list and hidden from the original perspective.

There is also an option for automatic silence of calls known by the operator as spam. For example, the Verizon operator automatically marks some numbers as spam, and the iPhone is able to send these calls directly to the voice messenger and transfer them to the Spam list. Depending on the operator, this feature may be different. If these settings are enabled, you can see calls known as anonymous or spam by touching the icon at the top right of the Phone app.

Spam audio messages

When viewing the voice message from an anonymous number, a button called “Report Spam” is available. By touching it, the voice message will be sent to the Apple and you can choose to report and hold the message as spam, or delete in addition to the report. Also, when deleting the audio message from an anonymous number, an option to report it as a spam appears. This is also possible at the time of the message. Reporting a voice message as a spam does not block the caller and this should be done separately. To do this, touch the “I” button, go down the contact card and select “Block Contact”.

The assistant to the call

If you are waiting for a phone call, there is a feature available in iOS 26 that will stay waiting for you. This feature listens to the sound of expectation music and tells you to continue the call as soon as the respondent begins.

To enable this feature, after the call, touch the Hold Assist option by touching the “…” button. Your phone is ringing when you connect the person to find that the call is time to continue. If waiting music is identified, the system may automatically offer Hold Assist clamping.

This feature may not perform precise performance when relying on music detection when automatic voice messages are played or there is a clear word. The text of the conversation is also displayed in writing so you can determine when the real person is on the line.

Live translation of calls

The Live Translation feature allows simultaneous translation from one language to another during phone calls. When making a call, you can enable this feature by touching the “…” button. Below, you choose the contact of the contactr and the language you want to translate. Currently, this feature supports English, French, German, Portuguese and Spanish.

At the time of translation, a small strip is displayed at the bottom of the app, indicating that the translation is ongoing and the live text of the conversation is displayed. The artificial sound also translates and broadcasts the conversations from one language to another, with a little delay. Live translation translates your conversations and contactors into the iPhone and does not need to have an iPhone or even a smartphone.

Contact history

IOS 26 has a wider contact history for each audience. In the Phone app, you can see the history of all calls with that person by touching the “I” button next to the name or call number and then selecting the “Call History” option, even calls made years ago.

Use Siri with typing

During telephone conversation, you can use Type to Siri and send Siri requests in writing.

Page Share and SharePlay

In iOS 26, SharePlay support and page sharing are added to the Phone app. When contacting a person who uses a compatible device, you can enable one of the two features by touching the “…” button. In SharePlay mode, an app such as Apple TV or Apple Music can be selected for shared use.

By sharing the page, it is possible to request remote control of the other party’s device, which is useful in solving technical problems. Both should use a device with iOS 26, iPados 26 or MacOS Tahoe to enjoy these features.

Improved in ESIM transfer

In iOS 26, the ESIM transfer process between the iPhone and Android devices is easier. In the iPhone Cellular settings, there is an “Transfer to Android” option for transferring existing SIM cards and “Transfer from Android” to add a new SIM card.

PHONE app for iPad and Mac

The Phone app is now available on iPad with iPados 26 and Mac with MacOS Tahoe. All the features such as call sieve, waiting assistant and live translation also work on these devices. To use the Phone app on the iPad or Mac, you need to have the same Apple ID and enable the Wi-Fi calling feature to get calls on other devices.