Apple has introduced a new call filtering feature on iPhones to combat the increasing number of spam and robocalls, as part of the new iOS 26 update.

According to ABC News, this feature provides users with an additional layer of protection by identifying incoming calls from unknown numbers before answering.

How to Activate the Call Filtering Feature

Make sure your phone is updated to iOS 26 (available for iPhone 11 and later models).

Go to: Settings – Apps – Phone – Filter Unknown Callers.

There are three options:

    • Never: Allows all unknown calls to come through.
    • Silence: Sends all unknown calls directly to voicemail.
    • Ask Reason for Calling: Requests the caller to state their name and reason for calling before the call reaches you.

    If the option does not appear, try restarting your phone or adjusting region and language settings.

    How Does the Feature Work?

    When someone not in your contacts calls you:

    • A Siri-like voice asks them to provide their name and reason for calling.
    • You receive notifications of the call while it is being filtered, with the caller’s response converted into text bubbles on the screen.
    • You can answer directly or send a preset message like “I’ll call you later” or write your own message to be read aloud by the caller’s synthetic voice.

Feature Benefits and Limitations

It offers a middle ground between silencing all unknown calls or allowing them all through.

Suitable for filtering cold marketing or spam calls.

However, it is not always perfect and may fail in cases such as important calls from a mechanic or plumber, or some drivers who abruptly end the call.

Users also reported some confusion when callers give their own name instead of the caller’s name, which may confuse the recipient.

Comparison with Similar Features from Google and Samsung

Google: A similar feature on Pixel phones that automatically decides if a call is spam and cuts it off, allowing only legitimate calls through.

Samsung: Galaxy users can filter calls using Bixby assistant with interactive text features in a similar way.