Apple adds Hold Assist and Call Screening to Phone app, Call Context coming in iOS 27

New Features in iOS 26

With the release of iOS 26, Apple integrated two new features into the Phone app: Hold Assist and Call Screening. Hold Assist automatically detects when a user has been placed on hold during a call and provides a notification when the other party returns. This allows users to step away from their device without missing the resumption of the call.

Call Screening addresses unwanted calls by prompting callers from unsaved numbers to state their identity and purpose. This information is then displayed on the iPhone's Lock Screen, allowing the user to decide whether to answer or send the call to voicemail. Both features are accessible through the Phone settings menu.

Upcoming Call Context in iOS 27

Apple is set to introduce Call Context with the upcoming iOS 27 update. This feature, part of Apple Intelligence, is designed to proactively display relevant information during calls to businesses. For example, if a user calls an airline, Call Context can automatically retrieve and display a flight confirmation code from Mail.

Similarly, when contacting a company about an order, the feature will surface order numbers and other pertinent details. Call Context aims to streamline interactions with businesses by providing immediate access to necessary information, using AI to identify call context without analyzing call content. It will be available on iPhone 15 Pro and newer models.

Availability and Impact

Hold Assist and Call Screening are currently available to users running iOS 26. Call Context will be rolled out with iOS 27, specifically for iPhone 15 Pro and later models. These additions represent Apple's continued development of the Phone app's capabilities, focusing on user convenience and call management.