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At this year’s WWDC keynote, Apple introduced several exciting features, including Liquid Glass, a new Games app, and Visual Intelligence, alongside two significant spam protection tools set to debut in iOS 26 this fall. Although I was somewhat let down by the sparse new security and privacy updates, these upcoming tools promise to greatly benefit users who deal with persistent spam calls and texts. Here’s a closer look at how they function.
In a previous edition of Security Bite, I anticipated the announcement of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for the RCS Universal Profile at WWDC 2025. Last year, Apple joined forces with Google in this endeavor. This would ultimately render RCS messages between iOS and Android devices completely encrypted, making them unviewable and unreadable server-side.
However, this feature did not materialize. In a statement to DMN back in March, Apple indicated that this capability would be included in a “future software update.” Many expected this year’s WWDC to reveal it.
As I mentioned earlier this month:
“I can’t think of a better way for the company to reaffirm its industry leadership than to have GMSA, likely present at the event, ‘on stage’ during the pre-recorded keynote, reinforcing Apple’s dedication to privacy by integrating E2EE into the RCS Universal Profile.”
But I digress.
Call Screening
Call Screening is an innovative feature in the upgraded Phone app. With iOS 26, when users receive a call from an unknown number, the iPhone will now silently answer it in the background. Callers will be greeted by an automated voice that prompts them to state their name and reason for calling. These responses will be transcribed in real-time for users to review directly on their Lock Screen. From this view, users can choose to ignore the call, swipe to answer, or type a response, which will be conveyed back to the caller using a non-Siri robotic voice. Translated replies will also appear on the call screen immediately.
Furthermore, iOS 26 now enables users to report voicemails as spam—an option that was absent in iOS 18. In the revamped Phone app, users can report voicemails they consider spam and send them to Apple. What the company does with this information remains uncertain; however, it may enhance spam detection algorithms, similar to the “Report Junk” feature in Messages from iOS 18.
While Call Screening on iOS 26 still relies on manual review by users and does not yet utilize Apple Intelligence to assess whether a call is spam (such as robocalls or telemarketers) or legitimate, it’s a commendable initial step. Future updates will likely incorporate AI to make these determinations automatically.
Next, let’s discuss Messages, where Apple has made noteworthy advances in the ongoing battle against unwanted texts and scams. In iOS 26, incoming text messages will now be categorized into Messages, Unknown Senders, Spam, and Recently Deleted, reminiscent of an email inbox. Users can also filter unread messages for convenience.
The days of mixing conversations from friends and family with annoying spam and toll scam messages in the Messages app are coming to an end. In iOS 26, texts from known contacts will automatically appear on the main Messages page, while messages from unknown numbers will be relegated to a more discreet folder labeled Unknown Senders.
While testing this feature on my iPhone 16 Pro this week, I couldn’t help but think of my parents and grandparents, as they are often more susceptible to harmful texts. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that in 2024, U.S. consumers lost $470 million to scams initiated via text messages. By keeping unknown senders (e.g., scams, spam) out of sight, they are more likely to stay out of mind, potentially putting a dent in the profits of scammers targeting innocent individuals.
So, that’s the new Unknown Senders folder in Messages for iOS 26.
Directly below that folder is another labeled Spam. Although I reported several texts as spam this week, I have yet to see any appear in this folder; mine remains empty. This section employs similar, if not identical, spam detection algorithms introduced in iOS 18 to classify incoming text messages. I suspect the algorithm needs more data from beta users to function optimally.
These are the new spam-fighting features set to launch in iOS 26, along with macOS 26 and iPadOS 26 this fall! While this wasn’t necessarily a monumental week for new security and privacy features (which could be a good thing), I’m pleased with these updates. I’m eager to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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