Apple expands the iPhone Phone app with Hold Assist and Call Screening

Apple’s iPhone Phone app gained two features in iOS 26, while another is planned for iOS 27. Hold Assist alerts users when a caller returns from hold, and Call Screening checks calls from unsaved numbers.

Hold Assist detects when a call has been placed on hold and offers to activate an alert. It can be enabled in Settings → Apps → Phone using the “Hold Assist Detection” toggle.

Call Screening asks callers from unsaved numbers to identify themselves and explain why they are calling before the iPhone rings. Their response appears on the Lock Screen, allowing the user to answer or send the call to voicemail. The feature is also located in Settings → Apps → Phone.

Call Context surfaces details during calls

With iOS 27, scheduled for release in September, Apple will add Call Context, an Apple Intelligence feature for calls to businesses. If a user calls an airline to change a flight, Phone can display a confirmation code found in Mail. For an order-related call, it can surface the order number and other relevant details.

Apple says Call Context looks at who the user is calling, not what they are saying. The feature will work on iPhone 15 Pro and later.

iOS 27 is currently being tested by developers and public beta users. The source’s author also identifies Call Screening as particularly useful for dealing with frequent spam calls.