Your iPhone Can Ask Why Someone's Calling Before You Pick Up
Spam calls have become so common that many of us hesitate to answer unknown numbers. But with iOS 26, your iPhone can ask why someone’s calling before you pick up, making it easier than ever to screen calls intelligently. This new feature takes the stress out of deciding whether to answer or ignore.
Meet Apple’s Smart Call Screening Feature
In iOS 26, the “Ask Reason for Calling” feature acts like a personal assistant. When an unknown number calls, your iPhone automatically answers with a friendly message asking for the caller’s name and reason for calling.
As they respond, the phone transcribes their answer into text and shows it on your screen. You can then choose to answer, decline, or request more details — all before your iPhone even rings.
This thoughtful feature gives you control, ensuring that legitimate callers get through while spam and robocalls are filtered out automatically.
Why This Upgrade Matters
Before iOS 26, Apple users had to rely on “Silence Unknown Callers”, which sent unfamiliar numbers straight to voicemail. That was useful, but it often blocked real calls — like those from doctors, couriers, or new clients.
Now, with “Ask Reason for Calling,” your iPhone can politely gather info first. Genuine callers can explain who they are, while spam bots usually disconnect. It’s a win for both privacy and convenience.
How to Enable “Ask Reason for Calling” on iPhone
Setting it up takes less than a minute. Here’s how to enable Ask Reason for Calling in iOS 26:
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Open Settings on your iPhone.
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Scroll down and tap Apps.
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Select Phone.
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Under Screen Unknown Callers, tap Ask Reason for Calling.
That’s it! From now on, your iPhone will screen unknown calls and ask for identification before alerting you.
Other Options for Handling Unknown Calls
If you’d rather not use the new feature, iOS 26 still offers two alternative screening options:
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Silence: Sends all calls from unsaved numbers to voicemail. The calls appear in your Recents list, and you’ll get the voicemail if one’s left — just like the older “Silence Unknown Callers” option.
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Never: Lets all calls ring normally, whether saved or unknown, keeping your calling experience unchanged.
You can switch between these modes anytime in Settings ➝ Apps ➝ Phone ➝ Screen Unknown Callers.
Pro Tip: Keep Your Contacts Updated
The Ask Reason for Calling feature works best when your Contacts list is current. Calls from saved numbers will always ring through instantly, without screening. So, if you often get calls from delivery services, clients, or new acquaintances, be sure to save them right away.
With iOS 26, your iPhone can ask why someone’s calling before you pick up, giving you smarter control over your incoming calls. It’s an elegant, human-friendly upgrade that helps you stay connected — without dealing with unwanted interruptions.
Whether you’re tired of robocalls or simply want more context before answering, Apple’s latest innovation makes sure you’re always in the know.
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