Apple’s newest update, iOS 26, introduces an AI-powered call screening tool that lets Siri answer unknown calls first — asking who’s calling and why — then shows you a transcript so you can choose whether to pick up. This lets users block suspected spam without their phone ever ringing.
Meanwhile, Google is rolling out a similar feature on Pixel devices in more countries (like Australia, Canada, and Ireland). Some Android users already had this on Pixel phones, and now it’s spreading further.
How It Works & What You Gain
- When a call comes from someone not in your contacts, Siri (on iPhone) or Google’s assistant (on Pixel) answers first, asks for identification, and transcribes their response in real time.
- You then see the transcript and decide: answer, reject, or ask follow-up questions.
- The feature is off by default — you have to enable it under Settings → Phone → Ask Reason for Calling.
- If you don’t respond right away, the call continues ringing until you decide.
This approach attempts to strike a balance: avoid missing legitimate calls (from, say, a new doctor or delivery service) while filtering out robocallers.
Limitations & Trade-Offs
While promising, it isn’t perfect:
- Some legitimate calls might be treated as spam if the caller doesn’t interact with the AI prompt properly.
- A delivery driver or service provider might hang up when asked to state reasons.
- Scammers could still give false responses since they aren’t obligated to tell the truth.
- Also, having Siri answer will confirm your number is active, which might encourage more spam calls later.
Moreover, spam calls are evolving fast. Voice imitation via AI tools and clever spoofing make it harder to block scams using fixed blacklists.
Why This Matters
Robocalls remain one of the biggest annoyances in digital life. Traditional blocking apps could only stop known spam numbers — but scammers adapted fast, using spoofed numbers that evaded those filters.
With AI-based screening, both Apple and Google aim to rebuild trust in answering calls. It creates a filter at the front door, rather than relying on post-facto blocking.
The rollout shows how major tech players are embedding security and privacy tools deeper into core operating systems — making them accessible without needing third-party apps.
