Hold Assist in iOS 26 takes the frustration out of waiting on hold during phone calls. Instead of listening to endless loops of music or prerecorded messages, your iPhone can monitor the call for you and notify you when a real person picks up. This lets you step away or continue using your phone without worrying about missing the moment when an agent is ready.
The feature is built directly into the Phone app and works automatically when you are placed on hold. Apple has confirmed it is available on iPhone 12, iPhone SE (3rd generation), or later, though it may not be supported in every country or region. Because Hold Assist works system-wide, you do not need to dig into Settings to enable it. Your iPhone can detect hold music on its own and prompt you to start Hold Assist when needed.
Here is how to set up and use Hold Assist once you have upgraded to iOS 26:
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Place your call normally. If you are put on hold, your iPhone will display a banner after a short delay asking if you would like to use Hold Assist. Tap Hold to activate it, or dismiss the prompt if you want to stay on the line.
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Once Hold Assist is active, you can leave the Phone app. A small indicator shows that the call is still connected — a green call bubble on models without Dynamic Island, or a live activity in the Dynamic Island for newer devices.
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When a live agent picks up, your iPhone will notify you with a sound, vibration, or banner depending on your notification settings. Tap the notification to immediately return to the call.
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If you dismissed the original prompt by mistake, you can still turn on Hold Assist manually. While on the call, tap More, then select Hold Assist from the menu.
It is important to check your sound settings before stepping away from the phone. If Silent mode or Do Not Disturb is enabled, you might not hear the alert when the call is answered, though you will still see a visual notification.
Hold Assist does not transcribe the portion of the call you missed, but it makes sure you never waste time waiting pointlessly. By letting your iPhone handle the hold music, you can focus on other things until the moment you are actually needed. Combined with the new call screening option in iOS 26, Apple has made the Phone app far more helpful for everyday communication.
