The Phone app has been with us since the very first iPhone in 2007. For years, it’s done its job quietly dialing numbers, logging calls, storing voicemails. But let’s be honest: it hasn’t really wowed us in a while.
That changes with iOS 26.
Apple has finally given the Phone app a serious upgrade, adding features that feel modern, smart, and actually useful for how we communicate today. From filtering spam to translating calls in real time, this update turns your iPhone’s calling experience into something you’ll want to explore not just tolerate.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s new, why it matters, and how you can make the most of it.
1. One Call List to Rule Them All
In older versions of iOS, you had to jump between different tabs for “Recents,” “Missed,” and “Voicemails.” It worked, but it felt clunky.
Now, iOS 26 unifies everything into a single, clean call list. You can still filter by missed calls if you want, but for most of us, having everything in one place just makes life easier. Less tapping, more doing.
2. Call Screening With Reason Requests
Spam calls are a global headache, and Apple’s answer is… making callers explain themselves.
If an unknown number rings you, iOS 26 can prompt them to state their name and reason for calling before you decide whether to pick up. The app then transcribes their response on your screen—no guessing, no awkward hellos to scam callers.
This is especially great for people who run small businesses or freelancers who can’t block every unknown number.
3. Smarter Call Filtering
If you get a lot of random calls, you’ll love this. Unknown or suspected spam calls don’t clutter your main call log anymore—they’re quietly moved to a separate folder.
Think of it like an email spam filter, but for your phone. Your main call list stays tidy, and you only deal with unknown numbers when you feel like it.
4. Spam Voicemail Reporting
Here’s something clever: you can now report spam voicemails directly from the Phone app.
Instead of just deleting them, you tap “Report as Spam,” which flags the number and removes the message in one action. It’s satisfying—like swiping left on junk email.
5. Hold Assist
We’ve all been there: calling customer service, stuck listening to bad hold music for what feels like forever.
With Hold Assist, your iPhone listens for you. When it detects that a real person has picked up, it alerts you instantly, so you can get back to your call without wasting brain cells on elevator music.
6. Live Call Translation
This one is a game changer.
If you’re speaking to someone in another language, you can enable Live Translation right in the call menu. You pick the languages, and your iPhone will translate the conversation in real time both as spoken audio and as on-screen text.
It even keeps a transcript, which is handy for reviewing details later.
7. Extended Call History
Need to find that client call from last year? No problem.
iOS 26 now lets you scroll way back in your call history much further than the limited list in previous versions. For people who rely heavily on call logs for work, this is huge.
8. Type to Siri During Calls
Sometimes, you need Siri while you’re on a call but you don’t want the person on the other end to hear you talking to your phone.
Enter Type to Siri. Now you can quietly send Siri commands via text, even in the middle of a conversation. Perfect for looking up an address, sending a quick text, or checking a fact without breaking the flow.
9. SharePlay & Screen Sharing in Calls
Apple is bringing some FaceTime magic to regular phone calls.
With iOS 26, you can share your screen or start a SharePlay session during a normal call. This is perfect for helping someone troubleshoot an app, review a document, or watch a video together—without switching to FaceTime first.
10. Easier eSIM Transfers
Switching carriers or moving from Android to iPhone? The new update makes transferring eSIMs much simpler.
You can now move eSIM profiles between iOS and Android directly from your settings no QR codes, no long calls with customer support.
Final Thoughts
With iOS 26, the Phone app finally feels like it belongs in 2025. It’s more than just a dialer it’s a smart communication hub that filters spam, breaks language barriers, and saves you time.
If you’re the kind of person who thought “I never use the Phone app except for the basics,” you might be surprised by how much these new features can streamline your daily life.
And honestly? The hold music detection alone is worth the update.
