Block Spam Calls on Your iPhone with Call Screening
Why Spam Calls Are a Problem
Unwanted calls are a nuisance. I keep my ringer on in case of emergencies, but before iOS 26, my iPhone would get several spam calls every week. It’s especially stressful when you’re waiting for something important, like a call from the doctor. Since iOS 26 introduced call screening, I can’t remember the last time a spam call rang through.
What Is Call Screening?
Call screening isn’t part of Apple Intelligence, so any iPhone that supports iOS 26 – such as the iPhone 14 Pro – can use it. I switched it on during the beta stage, and it has reliably blocked spam calls ever since. The only catch is that you need to enable it yourself.
How to Turn On Call Screening
1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps.
3. Tap Phone.
Under Screen Unknown Callers, you’ll see three options: Never, Ask Reason for Calling, and Silence.
What Each Option Does
- Never – This is the default. Calls from numbers not saved in your contacts will ring as usual, and missed calls will appear in your Recents list.
- Ask Reason for Calling – Your iPhone will ask unknown callers why they’re ringing. You’ll get a transcript of their answer and can decide whether to pick up.
- Silence – All calls from unsaved numbers go straight to voicemail without ringing or asking questions.
Which Option Should You Choose?
For most people, Ask Reason for Calling is the best choice. It filters out spam but still lets important calls through. For example, I was notified when my doctor’s office rang to discuss test results. If I’d chosen Silence, I would have missed that call. On the other hand, Never means you’ll have to check every unknown call yourself.
Changing Your Mind
If you try Ask Reason for Calling and don’t like it, you can go back into Settings and choose a different option. And of course, you can always keep your phone on silent if you’d rather not be disturbed at all – my wife has done this for months and hasn’t been bothered by spam calls once.