We're expecting a new update from Apple, iOS 26.2, in the coming days (or perhaps hours), but before we get caught up in the upcoming update, there are a number of useful features in iOS 26 that haven't received much attention. These features were discovered by users, so let's take a look at them.
Name Recognition
You might be so preoccupied and absorbed in something that you don't notice or hear someone calling your name. That's why Apple has created a feature to help you overcome this: Name Recognition. Designed to assist everyone, including the deaf and hard of hearing, Apple enables your iPhone to listen to your surroundings and alert you when your name is called! To activate it:
◉ Go to the “Settings” app, then “Accessibility”.
◉ Within the Hearing section, click on “Sound & Name Recognition”, and select “Name Recognition”.
◉ Click on “Set Up Name Recognition” then “Next”.
◉ Enter your name, and you will be able to activate automatic pronunciation to verify it, or you can choose “Record Your Pronunciation” to say your name three times to increase the accuracy of the feature.
◉ Tap “Done” and grant the feature permission to send notifications.
NoteWhen the feature is enabled, you'll notice an orange light appearing in the Dynamic Island or at the top of the screen, indicating that your device is continuously listening. You can add multiple names or different pronunciations to cover all scenarios.
Customizing and coloring "Files" folders
Apple has made it possible to customize your folder colors and add emojis or icons to them! This small improvement makes a big difference in organizing your work and quickly accessing your important documents just by looking at your files. Here are the steps to color your folders and add icons:
◉ Open the “Files” application, go to the “Browse” tab and select the location that contains the folders.
◉ Press and hold on the folder you want to customize, and from the menu that appears, choose “Customize Folder & Tags”.
◉ Click on “Tags” and choose a new color for the folder.
◉ Take a step back, then choose an icon from the available icons or tap on “Emoji” to add an emoji, then save.
This customization isn't limited to iPhones! It also includes your synced iPad and Mac folders.
Comprehensive filtering of unwanted calls and messages (Spam Filtering)
Due to the prevalence of fraudulent calls and spam messages, Apple has provided effective tools to separate these annoyances from your important calls and messages, keeping your call log and inbox clean and organized. To activate call and message filtering:
To filter spam messages:
◉ Go to “Settings”, then scroll down to the Apps section and select “Messages”.
◉ Within the “Unknown Senders” section, turn on “Filter Spam”.
◉ If you want to completely hide messages from unsaved numbers, turn on “Screen Unknown Senders”.
To filter out unwanted calls:
◉ Go to “Settings”, then “Phone”.
◉ Within the “Call Filtering” section, activate “Spam” to enable the fraudulent call detection feature.
◉ To filter calls from unknown numbers, turn on “Screen Unknown Callers”.
After activation, all suspicious calls and messages will be moved to a separate list in the Phone and Messages apps and silenced to avoid disturbing you. Don't worry, you can still review them at any time via the filter icon at the top of the app.
Quick redial reminder
You might miss important calls while in a meeting or when you're busy. With iOS 26, creating a callback reminder is incredibly quick and easy with a simple gesture within the Phone app. Here's how to create a callback reminder:
◉ Open the “Phone” app and go to the “Recents” tab.
◉ Swipe left slowly on the missed or rejected call, but avoid swiping completely so that it is not deleted.
◉ Tap the clock icon, and choose one of the preset times “One hour, tonight, or tomorrow”, or choose “Reminder Me Later” to set a specific time and date.
The call you want to call back will appear in the “Reminders” section at the top of your recent calls list, and you’ll receive a notification at your chosen time. To end the reminder after the call, swipe down on the call entry, tap the clock icon, and then select “Mark as Completed.”
Using AirPods as a camera remote control
The Apple Watch has always been a great tool for taking photos remotely. In iOS 26, this feature has been extended to include AirPods! You can now use your earbuds as a remote control to take photos or start and stop video recording. Here's how to activate AirPods as a camera control:
◉ Connect your AirPods to your iPhone, and go to “Settings”.
◉ Tap on the AirPods name at the top.
◉ Within the “Camera Control” section, select “Camera Remote Control”.
◉ Select the gesture you want to use: “Press Once” or “Press and Hold”.
Usage: While wearing the earbuds and opening the camera app, tap the earbud stem using your chosen gesture. In photo mode, a 3-second countdown will begin before the photo is taken, while in video mode, recording will start or stop immediately. Keep in mind that enabling this feature may disable some native earbud tap functions, such as media control or Siri, but you can disable it at any time.
The iOS 26 update proves once again that true power lies in the details. These hidden features aren't just ordinary additions; they're incredibly useful and practical tools designed to make your iPhone more than just a phone—a smart, organized personal assistant. From enhanced security and privacy features to powerful productivity tools, these functionalities ensure you get the most out of the new update.
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