iOS 26 Lets You Report Spam Voicemails

[MacRumors]

iOS 26 has an updated Phone app with several new functions. There are notable new additions like Hold Assist and Call Screening, along with smaller options like a feature to flag spam voicemails.

When you tap into a voicemail from an unknown number, you'll see a new "Report Spam" button that you can tap if it is a spam call. Tapping on option sends the voicemail to Apple, and you can either report the message as spam and keep it, or report it and delete it.

Apple doesn't include information on what it does with spam voicemails, but the company has allowed similar reporting of spam iMessages for some time now. It's also not clear what Apple does with iMessages that are reported as spam, but they appear to inform spam filtering functionality added in iOS 26.

As with spam iMessages, reporting a voicemail as spam does not block the caller, and that needs to be done with a separate step.

Apple is working to implement features that cut down on spam messages and calls. The Call Screening option in iOS 26 intercepts calls from numbers that are not saved in your contacts list, and asks the caller for more information like a name and reason for calling before forwarding the call along to you.

The Messages app also has a refined spam reporting workflow in iOS 26. Messages that Apple detects are spam are sent to a specific Spam folder, which is now distinct from the Unknown Senders folder. Messages from numbers that aren't in your contacts, such as two-factor authentication messages, go in Unknown Senders. Scam messages are sent to the spam folder. If you get a spam message that's not correctly categorized, you can tap into a miscategorized message and tap on the "Report Spam" option.

Messages from unknown senders and spam messages are both silenced and you won't get a notification for them, but you will see a badge at the top of the Messages app. You can disable these features in the Messages section of the Settings app, if desired.

There is no automatic filtering of spam voicemails, but that is a feature that Apple could use in the future after receiving enough voicemails that people flag as spam.

iOS 26 is limited to developers right now, but a public beta will be launching in July. The software will see a public release this fall alongside new iPhone 17 models.

Article Link: iOS 26 Lets You Report Spam Voicemails

 

[AgeOfSpiracles]

Not going to hold my breath, but I'll take anything at this point.

 

[RogueWarrior65]

To what end? I regularly report spam messages but they still keep coming.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Who do these spam reports go to? I keep getting junk SMS from overseas about my tolls being overdue, and I keep reporting.

Nothing seems to help.

 

[GtrDude]

If this is going to the same database they’re currently using when you report spam, it’s useless from the get go and is only there for show.

 

[Seanm87]

Will this be on by default on does it need to be turned on?

 

[sw1tcher]

If only iOS 26 allowed for blocking area codes and prefixes. That would cut down on a lot of junk calls and SMS

 

[BuffaloTF]

If this is going to the same database they’re currently using when you report spam, it’s useless from the get go and is only there for show.

It’s also there to make me feel better.

But yeah, I’m pretty confident it’s useless. They spoof real numbers. Or, in the case of texts, they might use an email to get iMessage - and if anything happens they’ll just create a new email and keep on moving.

 

[MNWildFan]

To what end? I regularly report spam messages but they still keep coming.

Yeah, and that's only because once one group of scammers go under, numerous others spring up in their wake

I used to be very diligent about blocking numbers when they call or text me, but I know it's next to worthless if I'm only going to keep getting them

That being said, in the messages app on iOS 26 now (got the dev beta for it) it is refreshing to have messages from unknown senders (like these scammers) from pushing through to my main notifications

 

[ZipZap]

Why do I feel like this is a half-as-d job. Implement a full solution with user configuration. Apple should not make decisions for me.

 

[mikes63737]

Can we just get the option to ENTIRELY turn off all kinds of notifications for an unknown call/SMS. No missed call indicator, notifications... nothing. Just let it sit in purgatory until I go looking for it.

 

[Finalcountdown]

Who do these spam reports go to? I keep getting junk SMS from overseas about my tolls being overdue, and I keep reporting.

Nothing seems to help.

Have you tried paying the toll. Totally works! I did and they very quickly debited my account!

 

[ipedro]

Damn, I'm gonna use this so often I should make a Shortcut answer assign it to my Action button.

 

[svish]

Small but a very useful feature addition. Hopefully by reporting it as spam, detection improves in the future.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Small but a very useful feature addition. Hopefully by reporting it as spam, detection improves in the future.

If email junk filtering is any indication I’m going to guess this won’t help a bit.

 

[k1121j]

Can we just get the option to ENTIRELY turn off all kinds of notifications for an unknown call/SMS. No missed call indicator, notifications... nothing. Just let it sit in purgatory until I go looking for it.

Agreed I’d prefer not to get notified at all if they aren’t in my contacts. I like the silence unknown callers but then hear now they will go to voicemail and get another chance to make my phone ring/notify me. Let’s just keep those unknown callers silenced period please.

I’d rather not have to fish around in all sorts of levels of spam folders also I may actually miss something I did need.

 

[jlc1978]

Who do these spam reports go to? I keep getting junk SMS from overseas about my tolls being overdue, and I keep reporting.

Nothing seems to help.

The problem is spoofed numbers and poor filtering design. Clearly a toll message for overseas is a scam, but for some reason Apple doesn't seem to be able to filter that; and more to the point, US toll agencies don't use messages like that either demanding payment or else.

The same challeneges exists for the health insurance and job scams, same message different # each time. Of course, the same is true for messages, I keep getting a loan scam call from different numbers with teh same message.

 

[SoldOnApple]

I get weird voicemails saying the Chinese consulate has made a mistake with by visa and I need to send money to fix it.

 

[trip1ex]

The new feature that answers the call silently and sees if anyone picks up asap (or something like that) is the feature to combat spam. This ...doesn't seem like it would do anything given they just change numbers.

 

[mihike]

Have you tried paying the toll. Totally works! I did and they very quickly debited my account!

I only pay my bills in gift cards. Did they say if they accept those?

 

[hoodlum90]

The new feature that answers the call silently and sees if anyone picks up asap (or something like that) is the feature to combat spam. This ...doesn't seem like it would do anything given they just change numbers.

Yup. I purposely pick up obvious spam calls and then hang up so that they cannot leave a voicemail. I no longer even bother saying hello.

 

[jccrtv]

iOS 26 has an updated Phone app with several new functions. There are notable new additions like Hold Assist and Call Screening, along with smaller options like a feature to flag spam voicemails.

When you tap into a voicemail from an unknown number, you'll see a new "Report Spam" button that you can tap if it is a spam call. Tapping on option sends the voicemail to Apple, and you can either report the message as spam and keep it, or report it and delete it.

Apple doesn't include information on what it does with spam voicemails, but the company has allowed similar reporting of spam iMessages for some time now. It's also not clear what Apple does with iMessages that are reported as spam, but they appear to inform spam filtering functionality added in iOS 26.

As with spam iMessages, reporting a voicemail as spam does not block the caller, and that needs to be done with a separate step.

Apple is working to implement features that cut down on spam messages and calls. The Call Screening option in iOS 26 intercepts calls from numbers that are not saved in your contacts list, and asks the caller for more information like a name and reason for calling before forwarding the call along to you.

The Messages app also has a refined spam reporting workflow in iOS 26. Messages that Apple detects are spam are sent to a specific Spam folder, which is now distinct from the Unknown Senders folder. Messages from numbers that aren't in your contacts, such as two-factor authentication messages, go in Unknown Senders. Scam messages are sent to the spam folder. If you get a spam message that's not correctly categorized, you can tap into a miscategorized message and tap on the "Report Spam" option.

Messages from unknown senders and spam messages are both silenced and you won't get a notification for them, but you will see a badge at the top of the Messages app. You can disable these features in the Messages section of the Settings app, if desired.

There is no automatic filtering of spam voicemails, but that is a feature that Apple could use in the future after receiving enough voicemails that people flag as spam.

iOS 26 is limited to developers right now, but a public beta will be launching in July. The software will see a public release this fall alongside new iPhone 17 models.

Article Link: iOS 26 Lets You Report Spam Voicemails

Nope. Nay. No good. All the spammers that reach our phones put up LOCAL spoof numbers of real people in our area. Rotating and changing each time. The other downside is I get calls from people asking if I called THEIR number when it's time for my phone number to show. It's the spammers plugging in local numbers. It's so hard to explain this to old Mr.s Lady and old Mr. Man when they call. You'd think the telecoms could put a hard clampdown on this stuff. What's encouraging is new IOS answering the call for you and giving you text, so you can decide if it's worth it or not.

 

[GeezGlitch]

Will this be on by default on does it need to be turned on?

Needs to be turned on.

 

[Boeingfan]

Love this. Unless it’s just another US only feature.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Like others, I've been reporting spam texts and it's done absolutely nothing. At least when you report a message with Android, it actually does something.