In previous versions of the Phone app, tapping an item in the list automatically started a phone call. However, since iOS 26, this feature has changed; now you have to tap on the video or phone symbol to start a call.
Do you want calling to happen automatically again as soon as you tap a contact or number? Then you must manually activate this option in the Settings of the Phone app. We explain how you can do this and what you should pay attention to.
Tabs merged into sleek design
Along with the new Liquid Glass, Apple has redesigned the Phone app, putting all your favorites, recent calls and voicemails in one place. By combining tabs, you can see at a glance what you’ve missed and quickly start a new conversation.
At the top of the ‘Calls’ tab you will find your favorites including their contact poster, and below that your recent calls are displayed. These include not only your missed calls and dialed calls, but also your Visual Voicemail messages.
Using the filter options (three horizontal lines at the top of the list) you can quickly view all your calls, missed calls, voicemail and spam. You can use this menu to switch back to the classic view with separate tabs.
Tap ‘Recent’ to make the call
In previous versions of Phone, as soon as you tapped an item in the list, the phone call was started. Since iOS 26, this is no longer the case and you have to tap the video or phone icon to start the call. Do you still want to be able to make calls as soon as you tap a contact or number? Then you have to enable this manually.
- Open Institutions on your iPhone
- Navigate to ‘Apps‘
- Select ‘Telephone‘
- Enable the option ‘Tap ‘Recent’ to make the call‘ in
Once you manually enable the feature, you can immediately start the call as soon as you tap a name or number in the recent calls list.