One of the standout enhancements in iOS 26 is the innovative anti-spam call feature, designed to screen incoming calls by prompting unknown callers to specify their reason for contact. However, this feature may not be accessible on all devices even if the latest software version is installed. If you’re among those who can’t access this functionality, there is a workaround available that can enable it on your device. This guide will provide you with detailed steps to activate the feature.
Step 1: Adjust Your iPhone’s Region Settings
Begin by ensuring your iPhone has been updated to iOS 26. To verify this, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. You will also need to confirm if your device model is compatible with the new software here.
The call screening feature is not categorized under Apple Intelligence, indicating that all compatible iPhone models running iOS 26 should ideally have access. Unfortunately, many users, including myself, have noticed its absence. The underlying issue lies in regional restrictions; currently, this feature is not universally available. While Apple may broaden support in the future, a temporary solution exists.
To unlock this feature, you will need to change your iPhone’s region to one where it is supported, such as the United States or the United Kingdom. To do this:
Open the Settings app and go to General > Language & Region.
Tap on Region, and select a supported region from the list, ensuring that English is set as your Preferred Language.
This adjustment should make the call screening option appear after a quick restart. If it still doesn’t show up, try the following additional steps: return to Settings, and tap on your name at the top.
Select Media & Purchases, and then choose View Account from the prompt.
Next, choose Country/Region and make your selection.
Press Continue, accept the Terms and Conditions, add a payment method, and then tap Done.
After making these changes, restart your iPhone. If you encounter issues with your phone being stuck on the Apple logo, refer to guides on how to restart it successfully.
Potential Impacts of Changing Your Region
You might wonder about the implications of modifying your iPhone’s regional settings. Your chosen region dictates the features, content, and services available. This switch might limit access to certain apps, streaming services, or specific media. Core functionalities like Messages or FaceTime could also be impacted in some regions.
Nevertheless, by switching to a region like the U. K.or U. S., you are more likely to retain access to a broad range of Apple features and content.
Before changing regions, consider any active subscriptions or outstanding balance on your Apple account. If you proceed with region changes under those conditions, you risk potential loss of access to these services.
Step 2: Activate Call Screening
Return to the Settings app and navigate to Apps > Phone.
Scroll down to locate the Screen Unknown Callers section, then select the Ask Reason for Calling feature.
Alternatively, you may choose to Silence all unknown callers. However, this isn’t recommended, as you might miss critical calls from banks, delivery services, or governmental bodies.
Understanding Call Screening on Your iPhone
If you receive a call from an unsaved number, your iPhone will prompt the caller to share additional information about their reason for contacting you.
During this process, your phone will not ring; instead, you’ll receive a notification indicating a pending call (visible on the top of your screen or your lock screen if the device is locked).
By tapping the notification, you can view the interaction between your iPhone and the caller, with real-time transcription of their responses.
If you cannot engage at the moment, you can type your response in the Type to reply field or select one of the suggested responses.
If you decide to take the call, simply tap Accept. Otherwise, the entire conversation will be directed to your voicemail.
Missed calls can conveniently be reviewed under Recents in the Phone app.
Once you tap on a missed call, you’ll have the option to reply to the audio message.
From this menu, you can also add the contact to your phone or return the call. Additionally, if you suspect the caller’s intentions are questionable, you can report the number as spam.
Limitations of the Call Screening Feature
As the call screening feature is optimized for English-speaking regions, the robotic voice handling the calls will communicate in English. This can sometimes lead to inaccurate transcripts if local callers use English but speak with accents or dialects.
While the voicemail can provide clarity on messages, real-time understanding during the call screening may be hindered.
Keep in mind that the iPhone automatically screens all incoming calls — there’s no option to manually enable this for specific callers.
Over the past year, there has been a noticeable surge in spam calls, predominantly in English. For this reason, the call screening feature has become invaluable for many practitioners. It can be especially beneficial for those interacting with international colleagues or frequently receiving overseas calls.
iOS 26 offers a myriad of additional features worth exploring, such as callback reminders, ensuring you never forget to return an important call.
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