Phone

iOS 12 lets developers create extensions for reporting unwanted texts and calls as spam

Christian Zibreg ∙ August 13, 2018

iOS 10 included a CallKit framework that brought a system-wide way for customers to use specialized apps on their iPhone, like Hiya and TrueCaller, that automatically identify and block nuisance calls before the phone even rings. With iOS 12, Apple started allowing developers to write new types of call-blocking extensions that gather information from the user before deciding whether to report or block the number.

Elias Limneos releases CallBar X for jailbroken iOS 11 devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ August 6, 2018

CallBar by iOS developer Elias Limneos was perhaps one of the most popular jailbreak tweaks ever conceived for the iPhone. The tweak replaces iOS’ full-screen incoming call interface with a substantially less intrusive incoming call banner with integrated call options.

Given CallBar’s popularity, it should come off as exciting news that Limneos officially launched CallBar X for iOS 11 in Cydia this week. Following in its predecessor’s footsteps, CallBar X makes the incoming call experience more convenient for those sporting jailbroken iOS 11 devices.

PokeCall brings a classic Pokémon-centric makeover to the incoming call interface

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated April 17, 2022

For all those Pokémon aficionados out there, PokeCall is a new jailbreak tweak by iOS developer Frozen Penguin that makes your iPhone’s incoming call interface look more like a battle screen from the classic Pokémon games.

In the screenshot examples above, you can see examples of how PokeCall replaces the stock incoming call interface in iOS with a Pokémon-centric look and feel.

Siri could soon make declining phone calls more useful and personal

Bryan M. Wolfe ∙ May 24, 2018

A new Apple patent application shows that Siri could one day provide an iPhone caller with a reason why you had to reject their call. In doing so, the process of declining calls could become a more enjoyable and useful experience for those on both sides of the digital cord.

Apple cracking down on VoIP apps in China that use the CallKit framework

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 21, 2018

Following the earlier removal of unlicensed VPN apps from Chinese App Store, Apple is now clamping down on local VoIP apps that take advantage of the CallKit framework to integrate with the Phone app, Lock screen, phone favorites and more.

LetMeKnow provides subtle feedback when your phone calls connect or disconnect

Anthony Bouchard ∙ March 7, 2018

If you make and receive phone calls on a regular basis, then you may have something to gain by installing a new free jailbreak tweak called LetMeKnow by iOS developer Kiran Patil.

LetMeKnow provides iPhone users with an ounce of haptic feedback whenever a phone call connects or disconnects. It works regardless of which party disconnects the call, and it can prevent you from having to plaster your phone to your face until someone picks up your outgoing calls.

Major US carriers unveil cryptographically verified phone number authentication for apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ March 1, 2018

The big four wireless carriers in the United States—Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint—announced Thursday at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain an interesting plan for a new authentication system in apps based on mobile phone numbers.

How to enable or disable SIM PIN on iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated December 23, 2025

Learn how to increase the security of your iPhone’s physical SIM or eSIM by adding a numeric PIN.

We’ll also show you what to do if you don’t know the default SIM PIN or have exhausted the limit, which now requires you to enter a PUK code.

How to switch cellular phone calls between your iPhone, iPad and Mac

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated August 5, 2024

You can transfer any in-progress call from your iPhone to your iPad or Mac with just a couple of taps. Let's show you why you might want to do this and how.

StripNumberPad gives your iPhone’s dial pad a stylish new look

Anthony Bouchard ∙ October 31, 2017

If you’re looking for a way to spice up that stock Phone app of yours, then you might find interest in a new free jailbreak tweak called StripNumberPad by iOS developer Squ1dd13.

How to hide your caller ID when making a phone call on iPhone

Sébastien Page ∙ Updated January 6, 2023

If you want to hide your phone number when calling someone on your iPhone, you have a handful of options available to you. In this post, we'll go over these options and show you how to hide your caller ID and call someone without showing your number.

ByeThirdParty hides third-party VoIP app data from the Phone app

Anthony Bouchard ∙ August 22, 2017

One of the features that shipped with iOS 10 that doesn’t get as much attention as it should is CallKit, an SDK that app developers can utilize to make their third-party VoIP apps integrate with the stock Phone app on an iPhone.

Some love this level of integration because it puts everything in one place, but others feel like it clutters the calling experience, making it harder to discern between phone calls from first-party and third-party apps.