Overview

• When enabled, the iPhone auto‑answers unsaved numbers, prompts for the caller’s name and reason, transcribes the reply in real time, then rings with that information so you can accept or decline.
• Users can manage this in Settings → Phone under Screen/Silence Unknown Callers, with choices that include asking for a reason, silencing unknown callers, or turning screening off.
• The feature applies only to numbers not in your contacts and works for voice calls only, with saved contacts continuing to ring normally.
• Apple positions the tool as a way to cut spam and robocalls without missing legitimate calls such as deliveries, appointments or business inquiries.
• Coverage uses different names for the setting (Call Reasons, Ask Reason for Calling, Ask to Share Call Reason) and disagrees on minimum iOS support, with some reports citing iOS 26 and one citing iOS 17 or later.