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You might not think about it often, but the Phone app on your iPhone is getting more and more powerful. Here are two features you can use today, plus one coming next month in iOS 27.
Help to maintain
With iOS 26 last year, Apple added a new feature called Hold Assist to the Phone app. When you are on a call, the feature can detect when you have been put on hold. Then you will see a pop-up window that you can tap to activate Hold Assist.
When the person on the other end returns, your iPhone notifies you.
Here’s how Apple describes Hold Assist: “Automatically detects when you’re put on hold, so you can walk 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, and then choosing Phone. In this menu, you will see a toggle: “Hold Assist Detection” which you can activate.
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 prompted for more information before the iPhone rings. »
When someone from an unsaved number calls you, call screening kicks in and asks you who they are and why they are calling. You can then view their explanation directly on your iPhone’s lock screen and choose to reply or send them to voicemail.
In an age where spam calls continue to increase, call screening is a must-have feature. You can find it in Settings ⇾ Apps ⇾ Phone.
Call context
Finally, Call Context is a new feature available in the Phone app with iOS 27. It is an Apple Intelligence feature that proactively displays 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 display it on screen while you’re on a call. If you call a company about a recent order you placed, they will proactively display the order number and other relevant details.
Call Context is a well-designed feature that uses AI to proactively help you during what is often a frustrating process. It also does this with privacy in mind and only looks at who you’re calling, not what you say, to display the necessary information.
Call Context is available on iPhone 15 Pro and later.
Conclude
I try to avoid using the Phone app at all costs, but unfortunately it’s a necessary evil. These new features in the Phone app at least make the experience more enjoyable. In particular, I’m a big fan of call screening. I get an absurd number of spam calls every day, and call screening really helps preserve my sanity.
What are your favorite features of the Phone app? Are you using any of the new options? Let us know in the comments.
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