In iOS 26, Apple gives you a few different ways to manage calls from numbers you haven't saved.
The default setting, Never, lets unknown calls ring through and appear in your Recents list. Silence goes the other way, sending all unknown calls straight to voicemail without bothering you. The middle option, Ask Reason for Calling, prompts the caller to say who they are and why they're calling, then delivers you a quick transcript so you can decide whether to pick up or ignore it.
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In the Phone menu, scroll until you see Screen Unknown Callers. There, you'll find the three options:
- Never: Calls from unsaved numbers ring through, and missed calls appear in your Recents list.
- Ask Reason for Calling: Unsaved numbers are asked for more information before your iPhone rings. Calling and data rates may apply.
- Silence: Unsaved numbers are silenced, sent to voicemail, and logged in Recents. Calling and data rates may apply.
I really like using Ask Reason for Calling. I've found it successfully weeds out spam calls while still giving me the chance to answer legitimate ones I might not want to miss. If you're like me and get overwhelmed with robocalls during the week, this setting is worth a try. Or go with Silence for total peace of mind — just know you might miss important calls, though the caller can always leave a voicemail.
Either way, you can change your setting anytime, and it's fun to experiment.
