Apple keeps making the Phone app better; here’s how

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You might not think about it often, but the Phone app on your iPhone keeps getting more powerful. Here are two features you can use today, plus one coming next month in iOS 27.

Hold Assist

With iOS 26 last year, Apple added a new feature called Hold Assist to the Phone app. When you’re on a call, the feature can detect when you’ve been placed on hold. Then you’ll see a pop-up you can tap to enable Hold Assist.

When the person on the other end of the call returns, your iPhone will notify you.

Here’s how Apple describes Hold Assist: “Automatically detect when you are placed on hold, so you can step away. iPhone will then notify you when it’s time to pick up.”

You can enable Hold Assist by going to the Settings app, scrolling down to Apps, then choosing Phone. In this menu, you’ll see a toggle: “Hold Assist Detection” that you can turn on.

Call Screening

Call Screening is another new feature in the Phone app, introduced as part of iOS 26 last year. Here’s how Apple describes it: “Calls from unsaved numbers will be asked for more information before iPhone rings.”

When someone from an unsaved number calls you, Call Screening kicks in and asks who they are and why they are calling. You can then view their explanation right on your iPhone’s Lock Screen and choose to answer or send them to voicemail.

In an age of ever-increasing spam calls, Call Screening is a must-enable feature. You can find it in Settings ⇾ Apps ⇾ Phone.

Call Context

Finally, Call Context is a new feature coming to the Phone app with iOS 27. It’s an Apple Intelligence feature that proactively surfaces relevant information when you call a business.

For example, if you call an airline to change your flight, Call Context will automatically find your confirmation code in Mail and show it on the screen while you’re on the call. If you call a company about a recent order you placed, it will proactively surface the order number and other relevant details.

Call Context is a well-done feature that uses AI to proactively help you during what is often a frustrating process. It also does so with privacy in mind, and only looks at who you’re calling, not what you’re saying, to show the necessary information.

Call Context is available on iPhone 15 Pro and later. iOS 27 is currently in testing with developers and public beta users. It will be released to everyone in September.

Wrap up

I try to avoid using the Phone app at all costs, but unfortunately it’s a necessary evil. These new Phone app features at least make the experience more enjoyable. In particular, I’m a huge fan of Call Screening. I get an absurd number of spam calls every day, and Call Screening really helps me preserve my sanity.

What are your favorite Phone app features? Do you use any of the new options? Let us know down in the comments.

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