It's About Darn Time: Apple Will Finally Screen Your Calls and Messages
There's one big feature I'm looking forward to in iOS 26, iPadOS 26 and MacOS Tahoe 26, and it's one that Apple should have added ages ago: call and text screening. It could do more than keep me from talking to strangers -- it could keep me safe from scammers looking to steal my information or my identity.
Similar to features from Google and Samsung, Apple's Call Screening vets unknown callers by checking what they want before sending them your way. The company announced the capability at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2025 keynote.
This could help curb the threat of AI voice clone scams, which allow scammers to create AI voice clones with just 3 seconds of recorded voice. These call and message screening features may come years after many of Apple's competitors have already implemented them, but it's an easy W for Apple nonetheless.
I'm Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better I'm Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better
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I'm Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Just Made iPhones Better
There's also a new text message filtering capability that places messages from unknown senders into a separate folder for you to review or ignore. This could help limit the number of people who fall for job, toll or other text phishing scams.
I get two, maybe three of these text messages a week. Having them on their own little island may not stop the frequency at which they're sent, but it will certainly provide some peace of mind that I won't accidentally click a scam link or fall for an AI phishing scam. Plus, a less cluttered inbox is always nice.
Apple's new features come at a good time, too. A recent CNET survey showed that 96% of Americans receive at least one scam message from email, phone calls or texts each week. While Apple may be late to the party, anything that helps fewer scams reach you is a welcomed addition.
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