iOS 26 is not just a visual redesign, but also a feature-packed update. Apple is finally bringing new Phone features which have been available to its Android competitors for years, such as Call Screening and Hold Assist. These features aim to bring convenience to users by your iPhone handling unknown callers before they reach you. Here’s how they work:
Call Screening:
With this feature, your iPhone will automatically answer unknown calls and prompt the caller to share their name and the purpose of the said call. After this step, your iPhone will ring and display the said details, following which you can decide if you need to pick it up. This feature will be available in Cantonese (China mainland, Hong Kong, Macao), English, French (Canada, France), German (Germany), Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese (China mainland, Macao, Taiwan), Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Mexico, Puerto Rico, Spain, U.S.).
Hold Assist:
When you’re on a call, and the person on the other end places your call on hold with hold music, your iPhone will automatically prompt you to enable Hold Assist, which will keep your phone call active and notify you once the live agent responds on the call. This feature will be available in English (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK, U.S.), French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Mandarin Chinese (China mainland), Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Mexico, Spain, U.S.).
Live Translation:
With iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence, your iPhone will have the ability to use Live Translation within Calls and Messages. This feature will translate text and audio ‘live’ as the name suggests. This feature will be available in Chinese (Simplified), English (UK, U.S.), French (France), German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain) on an Apple Intelligence compatible device.
iOS 26 is set to be released alongside the iPhone 17 series this fall. Are you thrilled about this new update? Show us your excitement down in the comments or tweet to us on @appleosophy! Be sure to download the Appleosophy App from the App Store or visit our website to stay updated with the latest Apple news!
