Among the many new features Apple is introducing in iOS 26 are tools to help beat back the rising tide of spam calls and text messages. While email filtering has been around for a while and is reasonably effective, Apple is upping the ante with tools to help filter junk messages and calls.
The ability to block callers isn’t new to iOS. When a persistent telemarketer calls, you can simply open their number on your iPhone’s call log, tap on the ‘i’ icon adjacent to the caller’s name and choose “Block Caller”.
iOS 26 Call Screening
iOS 26 adds another layer of protection from spam callers. Call Screening will automatically answer calls from unknown numbers and asks the caller for their name and the reason they called. A live transcript of the information appears on screen and you can choose whether to respond to the call.
It’s simple and way cheaper than hiring an assistant to screen your calls.
iOS 26 Message Screening
During the last Australian federal election, there was a lot of negative feedback regarding the number of text messages coming from the Voice of Patriots party. Unfortunately, Australia’s anti-spam laws don’t apply to political parties. But things might be a little easier to deal with next time around.
The Messages app will place messages from unknown senders into a separate folder, away from your main conversation list. From there, you’ll be able to quickly delete the message or make the sender as known.
While this doesn’t stop spam messages from reaching you, it does make them less disruptive.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.