Khaberni - Apple has decided to tackle the problem with a practical step in its new iOS 26 update, which introduced the "Call Screening" feature to iPhone devices.
The new feature gives the user a smart protection shield against unknown calls, as the phone automatically responds to unregistered numbers and requests the caller to identify themselves, while displaying an immediate text translation of their voice on the screen, allowing the user to then decide whether to answer or ignore the call.
How does the new feature work?
When the Call Screening feature is activated, the system automatically manages incoming calls from unknown numbers, according to a report published by "engadget" and read by "Al Arabia Business".
Instead of the phone ringing immediately, the caller hears an automated message asking them to state their name and the reason for the call, at the same time, the user's screen displays a direct transcript of the caller's statement, allowing them to know the caller's identity and the reason for the call before answering.
However, calls from known and saved numbers in contacts go through as usual without any system intervention.
Complete privacy without cloud storage
Apple confirms that all call processing takes place locally on the device without sending data to the cloud, protecting user privacy and preventing any external access to voice or textual information.
This step is a natural evolution of the previous "Silence Unknown Callers" feature, but it adds a more interactive experience similar to direct voicemail.
Supported devices and how to activate
The feature is available for all iPhone devices from iPhone 11 onwards, provided they run on iOS 26.
To activate it:
1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Choose Apps and then Phone.
3. Under the section named Screen Unknown Callers, select Ask Reason for Calling to activate call filtering.
The system automatically starts filtering strange calls, giving the user full control over who they talk to.
A smart step towards a quieter phone
With this feature, Apple aims to make the phone experience safer and quieter, so that users no longer have to deal with random or annoying calls.
While some users still prefer to completely ignore unknown calls, the Call Screening feature offers a smart balance between protection and communication, making the iPhone smarter in handling daily calls.
