iOS 26 introduces a significantly redesigned FaceTime app, incorporating a new home screen layout, enhanced call filtering options, the integration of Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence, and expanded Communication Safety tools, including optional nudity detection for adult accounts.
The most prominent change is the redesigned home screen, which replaces the traditional list of recent calls and contacts with a card-like interface. These cards prominently display contact photos for recent FaceTime contacts or suggestions of people to call. Each card includes the contact’s photo, the date of the last call, the call type (video or audio), and a button to initiate a new call. Video messages will also auto-play on the home screen as users scroll. A green ‘New Call’ button is located at the bottom of the screen, while filtering tools are accessible in the top-right corner.
FaceTime in iOS 26 also adopts the Liquid Glass design, featuring menus and buttons with this aesthetic throughout the interface. During calls, the call buttons automatically recede to provide an unobstructed view of the video feed. A three-dot menu offers access to features such as screen sharing, SharePlay, and Live Translation.
Apple Intelligence brings Live Translation to FaceTime, along with Messages and Phone. On AI-supported iPhones, users will receive automatically translated captions for the audio they are hearing. This feature provides a visual aid by translating the speaker’s words on-screen into the user’s preferred language while still allowing them to hear the speaker’s voice. Initially, Live Translation in iOS 26 will support one-on-one calls in English (U.S., UK), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).
Similar to features in Messages and Phone, users can now choose to silence FaceTime calls from unknown callers. This optional feature filters incoming calls from unknown numbers, adding them to a separate list within the filters menu while keeping them silent. This helps users manage and reduce spam FaceTime calls.
Apple is expanding its Communication Safety tools in iOS 26, with new support for nudity detection available as an optional setting for adult accounts. When enabled, the ‘Sensitive Content Warning’ feature freezes the FaceTime call and displays a warning message if nudity is detected. Users then have the option to resume audio and video or end the call. According to Apple, “Communication Safety uses on-device machine learning to analyze photo and video attachments and determine if a photo or video appears to contain nudity. Because the photos and videos are analyzed on your child’s device, Apple doesn’t receive an indication that nudity was detected and doesn’t get access to the photos or videos as a result.”
These new features in iOS 26 aim to enhance the FaceTime experience by providing a more visually appealing interface, improved call management tools, advanced translation capabilities, and expanded safety features.
