Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26, and one of the most talked-about updates is its new way of handling unwanted calls. The feature, Ask Reason for Calling, is designed to give iPhone users more control over who gets through to them—perfect for anyone tired of interruptions, spam calls, and potential security risks.
Say Goodbye to Unwanted Disruptions
Unwanted calls can be frustrating, distracting, and especially concerning when they come from unknown numbers. Many users often hesitate to pick up for fear of talking to spam callers. With iOS 26, Apple has introduced Call Screening, a feature that acts as a buffer between you and unknown numbers.
Here’s how it works:
- When someone not saved in your contacts calls, your iPhone will automatically ask them for their name and the purpose of their call—without ringing your phone first.
- Their response will then appear on your screen, so you can decide whether to answer, ignore, or block them.
- To keep things clutter-free, these calls are also organized into a new Unknown Callers section within the Phone app.
This way, you know exactly who’s calling and why before you ever pick up, giving you more peace of mind.
How to Customize Call Screening Settings
Activating and adjusting this feature is easy. Just head into your iPhone settings and navigate to:
- Settings app > Apps > Phone
- Choose one of the following options under Call Screening:
- Never: Call Screening stays off, and your phone rings as usual for any number.
- Ask Reason for Calling: Unknown callers are prompted to state their name and reason. You’ll see their response before deciding whether to answer.
- Silence: All unsaved numbers are muted, sent to voicemail, and listed under Recents.
- Never: Call Screening stays off, and your phone rings as usual for any number.
You can also mark unknown callers as “Known” so that future calls from them won’t be filtered into the Unknown Callers list:
- Open the Phone app
- Tap the Filter button
- Select Unknown Callers
- Tap Mark as Known next to the chosen number
Which Option Should You Choose?
- Ask Reason for Calling: Best for most people. You’ll always know who’s calling and why before being interrupted.
- Silence: Ideal if you want complete peace and prefer to check messages or logs later.
- Never: Great if you frequently receive legitimate first-time calls, such as professional contacts or deliveries.
With iOS 26, Apple has delivered a practical solution to one of the biggest frustrations of modern smartphone users. Whether you’re after total quiet or just smarter call filtering, this update ensures you stay in control of your time and attention.
