{"id":197829,"date":"2025-10-24T12:40:03","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:40:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/?p=197829"},"modified":"2025-10-24T12:40:03","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T16:40:03","slug":"15-new-features-added-to-the-iphone-phone-app-in-ios-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/midatlanticconsulting.com\/blog\/2025\/10\/15-new-features-added-to-the-iphone-phone-app-in-ios-26\/","title":{"rendered":"15 new features added to the iPhone Phone app in iOS 26"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The stock iPhone Phone app has received a design overhaul and fifteen new features with the latest iOS 26 update. Here are all these notable changes you must know about to make full use of the Phone app and communicate effectively with family, friends, and colleagues.<\/span><\/p>\n

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iOS 26: 15 new features added to the Phone app<\/b> hide<\/a> <\/span> <\/div>\n
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1)<\/span> New design<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
2)<\/span> More call history<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
3)<\/span> Start screen sharing when on a phone call<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
4)<\/span> Start SharePlay from a phone call<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
5)<\/span> Use Hold Assist to eliminate waiting on long calls<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
6)<\/span> Use real-time Live Translation<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
7)<\/span> Better unknown call screening<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
8)<\/span> Unknown call filtering<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
9)<\/span> Type to Siri during phone calls<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
10)<\/span> Better eSIM transfer to and from Android<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
11)<\/span> High-quality cellular calling<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
12)<\/span> Voicemail summaries<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
13)<\/span> Report voicemail as spam<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
14)<\/span> New Monogram styles for contact poster<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n
15)<\/span> Bonus tip: A new Phone app for iPad and Mac<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

New design<\/span><\/h2>\n

iOS 26 introduces a new Unified<\/em> design for the stock Phone app that shows your favorite contacts at the top of the Calls tab as big cards, followed by the recent calls, missed calls, and voicemails. Unlike the old design, there are no separate tabs for missed calls and voicemail.<\/p>\n

But since the Phone app is an essential tool and not everyone appreciates this change, Apple still provides the option to switch back<\/a> to the old Classic<\/em> design by tapping the three lines icon in the upper right corner of the Calls tab.<\/p>\n

More call history<\/span><\/h2>\n

iOS 26 lets you see more call history for a person, going back several months or a few years.<\/p>\n

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  1. Open the Phone app<\/strong> and go to the Calls<\/strong> or Recents<\/strong> tab.<\/li>\n
  2. Tap the caller’s name, mobile number, or email address in the Calls tab or the info icon \u24d8 next to these in the Recents tab.<\/li>\n
  3. Tap Call History<\/strong> and scroll down to see an expanded call log you have had with this person.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Note:<\/em> In my tests with multiple contacts, I found that the full, old call history isn’t shown for all persons.<\/p>\n

    Start screen sharing when on a phone call<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Before iOS 26, you had to make a FaceTime call to share your iPhone screen<\/a> with other Apple users. But with the latest iOS update, you can start sharing your phone screen or ask the other person to share theirs by tapping the three dots More<\/strong> icon on the call screen and selecting Screen Sharing<\/strong>. Remember that this only works when you’re calling a person with an iPhone.<\/p>\n

    Note:<\/em> If you don’t see the Screen Sharing and SharePlay options after tapping More, ask the person on the other side of the call to unlock their iPhone.<\/p>\n

    Start SharePlay from a phone call<\/span><\/h2>\n

    You no longer need to start a FaceTime call to use SharePlay. iOS 26 lets you watch YouTube videos, listen to Apple Music, and use other SharePlay-supported apps right from the phone call screen, provided you’re calling another iPhone user.<\/p>\n

    Just tap the More<\/strong> button, select SharePlay<\/strong>, pick a supported app, and follow the usual steps<\/a> to jam together with your distant friend or family member over a call.<\/p>\n

    Use Hold Assist to eliminate waiting on long calls<\/span><\/h2>\n

    No one likes waiting on hold on a customer care call, listening to the boring wait music. iOS 26 solves this by making your iPhone wait for you on hold<\/a>, and when a live agent joins the call, you’ll be alerted to pick up the call.<\/p>\n

    While your iPhone is waiting on the call, you can set your phone aside or use it to watch videos, listen to songs, and do other things that you usually do.<\/p>\n

    Use real-time Live Translation<\/span><\/h2>\n

    iOS 26 makes it easier to text<\/a> and talk with your overseas colleagues, friends, and family members who speak a different language.<\/p>\n

    When you’re on a phone call, tap the More<\/strong> button and select Live Translation<\/strong>. Then, set the source language, download the language file (which can take a while since it’s around 1 GB), and tap Start Translation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Your iPhone will automatically translate the caller’s words and speak them in your language in almost real-time. Additionally, the call transcription is shown on the screen so you can read what’s being said.<\/p>\n

    Tip:<\/em> Go to Settings<\/strong> > Apps<\/strong> > Translate<\/strong> > Languages<\/strong>, and download the relevant languages<\/a> before hopping on a call.<\/p>\n

    Better unknown call screening<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Previous versions of iOS already had the option to silence calls from unknown people<\/a> and send them to voicemail (if available).<\/p>\n

    iOS 26 takes this further, and now your iPhone can ask the unknown caller their name and reason for calling before alerting you to their call. What the unknown caller replies will be transcribed on your iPhone screen so you can read it. After that, you can pick up the call, decline it, or ask for more information.<\/p>\n

    Go to iOS 26 Settings<\/strong> > Apps<\/strong> > Phone<\/strong> and select Ask Reason for Calling<\/strong> under the Screen Unknown Callers<\/strong> heading to make use of this new feature.<\/p>\n

    Unknown call filtering<\/span><\/h2>\n

    If you don’t want missed calls and voicemails from unknown numbers or spam calls (including spam calls identified by your carriers) to show in your main call list, go to iOS 26 Settings<\/strong> > Apps<\/strong> > Phone<\/strong> and turn on Unknown Callers<\/strong> under the Call Filtering<\/strong> heading.<\/p>\n

    This will put all such calls in a separate Unknown Callers section of the Phone app, which you can access by tapping the three lines icon in the top right of the Calls or Recents tab.<\/p>\n

    Type to Siri during phone calls<\/span><\/h2>\n

    With iOS 26, you can use Siri while on a phone call. Just go to Settings<\/strong> > Apple Intelligence & Siri<\/strong> > Talk & Type to Siri<\/strong> and turn on Type to Siri<\/strong>. Going forward, double-tap the bottom edge of the iPhone to type to Siri<\/a>, including when you’re on a cellular phone call.<\/p>\n

    Better eSIM transfer to and from Android<\/span><\/h2>\n

    iOS 26 has streamlined the eSIM transfer process between an iPhone and an Android phone, making it easier to switch between devices.<\/p>\n