Ask Reason for Calling is an iPhone Call Screening option for calls from unsaved numbers. In iOS 27, the iPhone automatically answers an unknown call without interrupting you, asks the caller for their name and reason for calling, then rings and shares their response. It can reduce unwanted interruptions while still giving legitimate callers a chance to explain why they need to reach you.
How to turn on Ask Reason for Calling
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps.
- Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Under Screen Unknown Callers, tap Ask Reason for Calling.
The change takes effect immediately. You do not need to record a greeting or approve callers in advance.
When an unsaved number calls, Call Screening answers it automatically without making your iPhone ring first. The caller is asked for more information before the call comes through. After the caller gives their name and reason for calling, your iPhone rings and displays their response, so you can decide whether to answer.
A Call Screening notification may appear on the Lock Screen while the iPhone is asking the caller for information. Siri speaks in the iPhone’s default language when it answers calls. If the caller ends the call rather than responding, the call will not ring through to you.
This can discourage some automated and low-effort nuisance calls, but it is not identity verification. A scammer can still give a false name or reason. Treat the response as useful context, not proof that the caller is genuine.
How the three screening options differ
For this setting, Apple describes unknown callers as people using phone numbers that are not saved in your Contacts. A familiar area code, a business name supplied by caller identification, or a number that has called before does not necessarily mean it is saved as a contact.
| Setting | What happens to calls from unsaved numbers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Never | The iPhone rings normally. Call Screening is off. | People who rarely receive unwanted calls or cannot risk a delay for unknown callers. |
| Ask Reason for Calling | The iPhone asks the caller for information before the call rings through. | People who want context before answering without silencing every unsaved caller. |
| Silence | The call is silenced, sent to voicemail, and shown in Recents. | People who prefer to review unknown calls later. |
Never does not mark a number as trusted. It simply turns off Call Screening for unsaved numbers.
Ask Reason for Calling is usually the most flexible option. It lets a delivery driver, service provider, school, medical office, or other legitimate caller identify the purpose of the call before you decide whether to answer.
Silence is more restrictive. If Live Voicemail is available and turned on, a silenced caller can be sent to Live Voicemail without ringing you first. You can read a real-time transcription while the person leaves a message and answer before they finish.
Do not confuse Screen Unknown Callers with the separate Call Filtering controls in Phone settings. Turning on Unknown Callers under Call Filtering moves calls from unknown numbers out of the main Recents list and into an Unknown Callers list. The screening setting controls how an incoming call is handled; filtering controls where eligible call records appear afterward.
Phone settings may also include a carrier spam filter. When enabled, calls your carrier identifies as potential spam or fraud can be silenced, sent to voicemail, and moved to the Spam list.
When to save an expected number instead
Ask Reason for Calling works best when a short delay or a missed attempt would be inconvenient rather than costly or unsafe. Some legitimate callers may not expect an automated prompt, may be unable to leave detailed information, or may hang up and try another person instead.
Consider saving the number in Contacts before you expect a call from any of the following:
- A school, teacher, childcare provider, or substitute staff member
- A medical office, pharmacy, laboratory, or insurance representative
- A delivery driver, contractor, repair technician, or building manager
- A recruiter or prospective employer
- An airline, hotel, or other business dealing with an urgent travel issue
Save alternate office, dispatch, after-hours, or outbound numbers too when an organisation provides them. This is especially sensible when you are waiting for time-sensitive results, access instructions, a delivery, or a technician who may move quickly to the next appointment.
If an expected caller might use several unlisted numbers, temporarily choose Never. Restore Ask Reason for Calling after the appointment, delivery, or other expected contact has passed.
Call Screening does not operate while you are roaming, regardless of the selected setting. It also turns off for 24 hours after you call emergency services. Standard calling and data rates may apply.
What to check if the setting is missing
If you cannot find Screen Unknown Callers or Ask Reason for Calling, check the following.
- Confirm your iOS version. Go to Settings > General > About to see the installed version. This guide applies to iOS 27. To install an available update, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Use the current settings path. In iOS 27, open Settings > Apps > Phone. The Phone settings are no longer listed at the top level of Settings.
- Check language and regional availability. Call Screening is not available in every language and region. Apple’s feature-availability page lists the supported language and regional variants. In the United States, it is available in English and Spanish. Check Settings > General > Language & Region if the option is absent after updating.
- Restart after an update or language change. Complete any available iOS update, restart the iPhone, and check Phone settings again. This can help if a newly available setting has not appeared after an update.
- Check whether you are roaming. The setting can remain visible while calls are not screened during roaming.
Live Voicemail is a separate feature. To check it, go to Settings > Apps > Phone and turn on Live Voicemail if it is available. It transcribes a voicemail in real time after a caller has been sent to voicemail; it does not replace the pre-ring questions used by Ask Reason for Calling.
Live Voicemail, Visual Voicemail, and carrier voicemail depend on carrier and regional support. If the iPhone is turned off or outside your carrier’s network range, a call can go to carrier voicemail instead, if available. Calls identified as spam by your carrier do not go through Live Voicemail and may be declined immediately.
Try Ask Reason for Calling for several days, then adjust it based on the calls you receive. If important callers repeatedly abandon the prompt, save their numbers or select Never when receiving an unfamiliar call matters more than reducing interruptions.
