How to Turn On Call Screening on iPhone
Open Settings → Apps → Phone → Screen Unknown Callers and choose Ask Reason for Calling. When an unsaved number calls, your iPhone asks who’s calling and why. Once the caller responds, the phone rings and shows you their answer so you can decide whether to pick up.
That’s handy when you’re expecting a courier or a callback from a number you don’t know. If you’d prefer those calls to go straight to voicemail, choose Silence in the same menu. Apple’s iPhone guide to screening calls
Set up Call Screening
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps, then Phone.
- Find Screen Unknown Callers and select Ask Reason for Calling.
- To see how it works, ask someone to call from a number you haven’t saved. Have them say their name and a short reason when prompted, then look for the reply on your iPhone.
Apple introduced Call Screening in iOS 26. If the option is missing, check your software version under Settings → General → About and look up your language and region in Apple’s availability list. The prompt uses your iPhone’s default language. iOS 26 announcement · Apple’s Call Screening availability list
Ask Reason for Calling, Silence, or Never?
| Setting | What happens when an unsaved number calls | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ask Reason for Calling | The iPhone asks the caller for their name and reason before it rings. | You want to keep taking useful calls from new numbers. |
| Silence | The call goes to voicemail without ringing and still appears in your call history. | You’d rather check missed calls and messages when you have time. |
| Never | The number rings through as usual, subject to your other call settings. | You’re expecting an automated callback that may be unable to answer the prompt. |
If you’re waiting for one time-sensitive call, you can temporarily pick Never and switch back afterward. Save numbers you expect to hear from regularly in Contacts.
Where to look for a missed call
If you’ve enabled the separate Unknown Callers filter, open Phone → Calls (or Recents in the classic layout), tap the filter button, and choose Unknown Callers. Check voicemail too, especially if you’ve selected Silence. The filter moves entries to their own list. The screening setting controls what happens before the phone rings. Apple’s guide to call filters
What if you want a name before the caller speaks?
Call Screening shows what the person tells your phone. To see a business name or caller label from a supported provider, go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Call Blocking & Identification. Apple documents options for business identification and supported caller ID apps in that separate menu. Apple’s call identification settings
For other ways to get more out of the apps you use on your iPhone, see BuildStore’s guide to sideloading on iOS 27.
