Apple recently launched the first public beta of iOS 26 on July 24, offering an exciting array of features for iPhone users. With a fresh Liquid Glass design and the ability to customize your alarm’s snooze duration, this beta has already garnered attention from developers and users alike. Notably, it introduces call screening for unknown numbers, greatly minimizing interruptions from spam calls.
The call screening feature is not an exclusive capability of Apple Intelligence; instead, it’s available to all iOS 26-compatible iPhones, including the iPhone 14 Pro. Users must enable this feature in the settings to take advantage of it.
If you’re considering trying out the iOS 26 beta, keep in mind that it’s still in testing. Bugs and potential battery issues might arise, so it’s advisable to install it on a secondary device rather than your primary one. Apple may also refine call screening and other features before the final release this fall.
How to Turn On Call Screening
1. Tap Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Apps.
3. Choose Phone.
You’ll find three options under the Screen Unknown Callers section: Never, Ask Reason for Calling, and Silence. Understanding these options will help you make the best choice for managing incoming calls.
Which Call Screening Option Should You Choose?
Choosing Never means calls from unsaved numbers will ring through as usual. You’ll see missed calls in your Recents list in the Phone app, just as you did before this feature was introduced. This is the default selection for your iPhone.
If you select Ask Reason for Calling, your iPhone prompts callers from unsaved numbers to state their reason for calling. This occurs without ringing, and you’ll receive a transcript of their responses, allowing you to decide whether to answer.
The Silence option is the most aggressive; any unsaved number will be silenced and sent straight to voicemail, ensuring you won’t be disturbed by unwanted calls.
Most users will likely find Ask Reason for Calling to be the best option. Personally, I’ve had success with this setting—it’s filtered out many spam callers while still alerting me to important calls, such as messages from my doctor’s office. Choosing Silence would have meant missing crucial notifications, while selecting Never would require me to check all calls if expecting something important.
<pIf you decide on Ask Reason for Calling but later find it’s not for you, you can change your setting at any time using the same steps outlined above. And don’t forget, you have the option to silence your iPhone entirely for ultimate peace from phone interruptions.
iOS 26 brings even more to the table—check out my first impressions on this version and all the new features that will be available for your device later this year.