Apple Upgrades iPhone Phone App: New Features to Expect
Hold Assist and Call Screening: Peace of Mind During Calls
Although voice calls are becoming less popular in the smartphone era, Apple continues to actively develop its Phone app. With updates in iOS 26 and the upcoming iOS 27, users have received several features that make daily communication significantly more comfortable.
One of the most practical additions is Hold Assist. This feature is particularly useful when you are placed on hold during a call. The app automatically detects this state and displays a notification on the screen, allowing you to step away from your phone. As soon as the person on the other end returns, your iPhone will notify you that it is time to resume the conversation. The feature can be activated via the Phone section in the Settings menu.
Another significant addition is Call Screening, which helps combat spam calls. When a call comes in from an unknown number, the system automatically asks the caller to state their identity and the purpose of the call. This information appears directly on your Lock Screen, allowing you to decide whether to answer or redirect the call to voicemail.
Call Context: Artificial Intelligence at Your Service
With iOS 27, Apple is introducing a feature called Call Context. This tool is part of Apple Intelligence and aims to provide necessary information in advance when calling businesses. For example, if you are calling an airline regarding a flight change, the system will automatically search your emails for your booking code and display it on the screen. The same principle will apply to retrieving order numbers.
According to Apple, the feature operates with privacy in mind—the system only analyzes who you are calling, not the content of your conversation. Call Context will be available to owners of iPhone 15 Pro and newer models, with the official release of iOS 27 scheduled for September.
What This Means for Users
These updates demonstrate that Apple is striving to adapt phone calls to the modern digital reality. Amidst the prevalence of spam calls and the complexities of communicating with businesses, automated assistants save users both time and frustration. For users who frequently receive unwanted calls, tools like Call Screening will be particularly relevant.