Tech Desk 
Jun 13, 2025
Apple’s latest iOS 26 update is taking a strong stand against scam calls and spam texts, adding new tools to protect iPhone users.
Launched during WWDC 2025, the update makes the iPhone smarter and safer by screening unknown calls and sorting suspicious messages. These updates are expected to especially help older users and those more vulnerable to scams.
iOS 26 new features
The new Call Screening feature in iOS 26 silently answers unknown calls. A robotic voice asks the caller their name and reason for calling.
Moreover, the response is displayed live on the lock screen, so users can quickly decide whether to take the call, ignore it, or respond in a typed message.
This update makes it easier to filter robocalls and unwanted telemarketers even when Apple Intelligence does not yet identify spam calls automatically.
The Messages app features functionality improvements when reporting spam. Text messages are classified into four folders (Messages, Unknown Senders, Spam, Recently Deleted) like an email inbox.
All known contact names will appear in the main Messages tab of the Messages app, while undesired or suspected spam numbers move into their own sections. Apple hopes this application will keep the chat list tidier and safer.
Users can also now report their voicemail as spam, a long-requested tool from iPhone users. Apple is likely to use this input to train its own detection tools.
An announcement for end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iOS and Android never occurred, but Apple indicates that will come later in another release.
