Apple’s latest iOS 26 update adds a smart new feature that helps people avoid unwanted phone calls while still catching important ones. The feature is called Call Reasons which lets unknown callers explain why they’re calling before one decides whether to answer.
How the calling feature Works?
Individuals are often unsure about answering a call from an unknown number, since scams and frauds are on the rise. Therefore, this feature comes in handy. When someone not saved in your contacts tries to call, your iPhone will ask them to briefly say why they’re calling. This short message is then transcribed and shown on your screen in real time.
Individuals can watch the text appear live as the caller speaks, kind of like voicemail, but before they actually answer. If their reason seems important like a delivery, appointment, or business call — you can choose to answer. If not, you can ignore or decline the call. This gives you more control without having to block all unknown callers or miss something important.
Why is the calling feature useful?
Spam and robocalls are still a major problem for smartphone users. While Apple already offered the “Silence Unknown Callers” option, that feature sends all unknown numbers straight to voicemail even if the call is legitimate.
“Call Reasons” offers a more flexible solution. It filters out many spam calls (since robocallers usually don’t respond), while still giving real callers a chance to speak. It’s like having a virtual assistant screen your calls for you.
How to Enable It?
Here’s how to turn on the feature:
1 Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone
2 Tap “Phone”
3 Select “Silence Unknown Callers”
4 Choose the “Ask to Share Call Reason” option
This setting only affects numbers not saved in your contacts. Friends, family, and saved numbers will still ring through normally. Although people should keep a few things in mind like:
a The feature requires your iPhone to be running iOS 17 or later.
b It only works for voice calls — not messages or FaceTime.
c Some callers might be confused the first time they hear the request, so it may take a bit of getting used to.
Overall, Apple’s new Call Reason feature adds a helpful layer of privacy and convenience. It’s a small change that could make a big difference in how you handle phone calls.
