IOS 26 Will Help You Screen Calls and Messages for Spam
The iOS 26 update announced at WWDC 25 isn’t just about the new Liquid Glass redesign. Apple is using the opportunity to redesign some fundamental features in the Phone and Messages apps, something the company hasn’t done in, well, forever.
Apple is clearly taking inspiration from Google’s Pixel phones, introducing call screening features and a new multi-screen layout that combines your favorites, recent calls, and voicemails on a single page. It’s the same story in Messages, where you’ll find some Pixel- and WhatsApp-style features like custom backgrounds.
Apple’s Phone app gets new look, call screening and Hold Assist
First, there’s a new design for the Phone app, and a new tab bar with a big search icon that could be useful. The new Phone screen shows your favorites pinned to the top, and then you’ll see all your recent calls and voicemails in one view. However, Apple says this will be an optional feature, so there should be an option to revert to the old view, although we don’t know how that will work yet.
Next up is Call Screening, a feature similar to the one found in Google’s Pixel series of phones. When you receive a call from an unknown number, your iPhone will pick up the call in the background and hear what the caller is saying. If it’s something genuine and not spam, your iPhone will ring and you’ll see a transcript of what the caller is saying. You can then answer the call if you want.
Finally, there is a Hold Assist feature that can help you get rid of hours of hold music. This feature automatically detects hold music and activates the background mode for the call. Now you can sign out of the Phone app or even lock your phone. When the agent connects, your iPhone will call you and also tell you what the agent said while you were away.
Real-time translation by phone, messages and everywhere
iMessage chats are about to get livelier, too. Like WhatsApp and Telegram, you can now set custom backgrounds for any chat. There’s also a new Polls feature, which is very popular on WhatsApp.
You’ll also finally see typing indicators in group chats. And you’ll be able to send and receive Apple Cash directly in group chats.
Live Translate is also coming to the Messages app, so you can automatically translate audio and text messages on the fly.
Apple is even bringing a call filtering feature to Messages. Texts from unknown senders will be sent to a special new folder and won’t be added to your main list of texts until you accept them. However, this won’t apply to things like one-time passwords, delivery updates, and other sensitive information.