New Features in iOS 26 for the Phone App

With the release of iOS 26, the Phone app receives dozens of new features that significantly enhance its usability. While it previously rarely received substantial updates, new tools are now available to prevent unwanted calls and save users' time.

Unified Design

The Phone app has introduced a new unified interface, while still allowing users to utilize the classic layout from iOS 18. The new design displays call history, missed calls, and voicemails on a single screen. Favorite contacts remain at the top, and there are tabs for quick access to contacts and the keypad. You can activate or deactivate the unified view using the icon with three lines in the upper right corner.

Enhanced Call Screening

Apple has significantly improved the feature for recognizing unknown calls. It is now possible to request the name and reason for the call from unfamiliar numbers, and this information is automatically transcribed into text. When answering, the person receives a voice response similar to voicemail, and you can choose to accept or decline the call. To activate this feature, you need to enable "Ask for Call Reason" in the Phone settings.

Silencing Unknown Callers

Instead of requests, there is an option to silence calls from unknown numbers. Such calls are automatically redirected to voicemail, and corresponding messages appear in the recent calls list. If needed, you can set the "Screen Unknown Callers" option to "Never" so that calls from unsaved numbers come through without restrictions.

Filtering and Spam

New features allow moving missed calls and voicemails from unsaved numbers to a separate list of unknowns. There is also automatic silencing of spam calls, including those from operators who mark numbers as spam. The app provides the ability to view such calls.

Voicemail Management

Users can report voicemails as spam by pressing the "Report Spam" button. This allows for automated transmission of relevant data to Apple. To delete a message with the option to mark it as spam, you need to press "Block Contact" in the contact details.

Hold Assistant and Real-Time Translation

The "Hold Assistant" feature allows you to wait during a call while listening to music and notifies you when the person is on the line. It automatically detects hold music and suggests picking up the call. Additionally, iOS 26 introduces the ability for live translation — during a phone call, you press "…" and select "Live Translation." Supported languages include English, French, German, Portuguese, and Spanish. The translation occurs in real-time, and the other party does not need an iPhone.

Call History and New Siri Capabilities

The expanded call history allows you to view all calls with each contact over many years. Moreover, during a call, you can now use "Text to Siri" to ask questions or perform tasks by voice.

SharePlay and Screen Sharing

During a call with a compatible device, you can activate SharePlay or screen sharing for joint content viewing or assistance with technical issues. Both participants need to have devices running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, or macOS Tahoe.

eSIM Improvements and App Expansion

Transferring eSIM between iPhone and Android has become even easier. New options "Transfer to Android" and "Transfer from Android" have appeared in the settings. Additionally, the Phone app is now available on iPad and Mac, and all features, such as call screening and hold, work on these devices as long as Wi-Fi calling is enabled.