Apple has unveiled significant enhancements to the iPhone’s calling experience at WWDC25, introducing “Hold Assist” and “Call Screening” features, set to revolutionize how users handle calls and spam.
The Call Screening feature, slated for release with iOS 26 this fall, will fundamentally change how iPhones handle incoming calls from unknown numbers. Instead of ringing the user directly, the iPhone will automatically answer these calls and prompt the caller for their name and purpose. This proactive approach aims to deter a substantial number of spam callers, often linked to data brokers selling personal information, and minimize unwanted interruptions for users.
The introduction of Call Screening is particularly relevant given the prevalence of robocalls. Statistics from Truecaller indicate that Americans receive an average of 3.3 billion spam phone calls monthly. Although recent months have seen a slight decrease in these numbers, the new iOS 26 feature is expected to significantly alleviate the burden on users by automating the screening process.
In a related development, iOS 26 will also introduce a new screening filter for text messages. This feature will hide filtered texts from the main conversation list, relocating them to a separate menu, further enhancing the user’s ability to manage unwanted communications.
