iOS 26’s Best Feature? Pixel Phones Already Had It for Years
▼ Summary
– iOS 26 introduces call screening for iPhones, allowing users to screen calls from unknown numbers starting September 15.
– The feature automatically answers unknown calls, asks the caller for their name and reason, and provides this information before the user decides to answer.
– Call screening supports nine languages at launch, including English, Spanish, and Japanese.
– Android users, particularly on Google Pixel devices, have had a similar call screening feature since 2018, which includes transcription and translation options.
– Google is expanding its call screening feature to new markets and languages, including India with English and Hindi support, and plans to roll it out in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the UK.
For countless individuals, the ring of an unknown number triggers immediate anxiety. Is it a long-lost friend, an urgent business opportunity, or yet another robocall offering an extended car warranty? Apple’s iOS 26 finally introduces a native call screening feature, a tool designed to give users control over who gets through. This long-awaited addition promises to transform how iPhone owners manage incoming calls from unfamiliar numbers.
Once the update goes live, users can enable automatic screening for any number not already in their contacts. When such a call comes in, the system answers with a synthesized voice that asks the caller to state their name and purpose. Only after gathering this information does your device actually ring, presenting the details in a notification so you can decide whether to pick up or ignore the call.
This functionality is a game-changer for anyone tired of constant spam or unwanted interruptions. Instead of letting calls go to voicemail or waiting for a transcription to appear, you get a preview of who’s calling and why, all before ever lifting the phone. It brings a new layer of intentionality to communication, letting users filter out noise while staying accessible to legitimate callers.
What’s interesting, though, is that this isn’t exactly new technology. Google Pixel phones have offered a nearly identical feature called Call Screen since 2018. Over the years, Google has refined the experience, making the assistant’s voice sound more natural and even introducing interactive reply options so users can respond to screened calls without saying a word.
According to Google, millions of Pixel users in the U.S. alone rely on this capability, and the company continues to expand its availability. This fall, manual call screening will enter beta in India with support for English and Hindi, including real-time transcription and translation. Similar features are also slated to roll out in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
So while iOS users are just gaining access to this powerful tool, Android, and particularly Pixel, users have enjoyed it for years. It’s a reminder that innovation in mobile software often comes from multiple corners, with each platform borrowing and building on the best ideas. For iPhone owners, it’s a welcome step forward. For everyone else, it’s a feature that’s already old news.
(Source: Wired)
