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How to use Hold Assist on iOS 26 (and why it's my must-have iPhone feature)
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ZDNET's key takeaways
- Hold Assist waits on hold for you -- no more elevator music.
- Hold Assist Detection auto-detects when you're placed on hold.
- Get a notification and transcript when a live agent returns.
I've been playing with the official release of iOS 26, getting to know all the new features. I've found a trick you've got to try, if you've ever wasted 20 minutes listening to elevator music while waiting for a customer service rep.
I've already talked about how screenshots are more useful now and how you can use an automated voice to screen unknown spam calls. But another iOS 26 feature I've come to appreciate is Hold Assist. It takes over when you're put on hold. Instead of forcing you to sit through music or keep the call open, your iPhone listens and alerts you the moment a person is back.
Also: This iOS 26 trick made my old iPhone photos really pop - in 3D
Just tap the Hold Assist banner when it appears, or enable it manually from the in-call menu, and your iPhone will monitor the line. When the agent returns, you'll get a notification and see a transcript of what you might have missed so you can easily rejoin.
How to use Hold Assist on an iPhone call
What you'll need: An iPhone running iOS 26 or later. If you want your iPhone to proactively detect hold music during a call and prompt you to let Hold Assist take over, you'll need to enable Hold Assist Detection first. (Just open the Settings app, scroll down and tap Apps, then select Phone, and toggle on Hold Assist Detection.) It should already be on, but it's best to check.
1. Activate Hold Assist from the banner
The easiest way to activate Hold Assist is to accept the banner that appears when your call goes on hold.
- When you're on a call and placed on hold, look for the "Hold this Call?" banner.
- Tap Hold to let your iPhone monitor the call while you get back to doing other things.
2. Or trigger Hold Assist manually
If Hold Assist Detection isn't enabled, or maybe you dismissed the banner, or perhaps your iPhone isn't recognizing that you're on hold because there's no music, you can still activate Hold Assist manually.
- Tap the More button on the call screen.
- Select Hold Assist to turn it on manually.
3. Now go do other things
You can now swipe away the call screen, use other apps, or put your phone down to get back to work on your laptop, whatever you need. While Hold Assist is active, your iPhone keeps the call going in the background. You'll see a live activity -- a green call bubble on older iPhone models or a Dynamic Island indicator on newer ones -- to confirm the call is still in progress.
4. Rejoin the call
If you're wondering what happens when someone comes back on the line, your iPhone will buzz and show a notification letting you know they've returned. Just tap the Pick up button to instantly return to the conversation. You can also check the transcript on your screen to see what you might've missed while on hold.
Also: Downloading iOS 26? Do these 6 things on your iPhone first (and thank me later)
Tip: Make sure your iPhone isn't set to Silent or Do Not Disturb, because you might miss the notification.
FAQs
What does iOS 26's Hold Assist do on iPhone?
Hold Assist monitors your call while you're on hold, notifies you when a live person returns, and shows a transcript of what you missed. Meanwhile, Hold Assist Detection is a toggle in the Phone app settings that lets your iPhone automatically detect when you've been placed on hold by listening for background music. During these calls, a banner will prompt you to activate Hold Assist.
Also: How to clear your iPhone cache (and why you should do it before the iOS 26 update)
When I tried it with my partner, he said he heard a beep. After that, when he started speaking, he was told the message was being transcribed. I also tested Hold Assist while on hold with my insurance company and again with my power utility. Both times, I was prompted to enable Hold Assist, did so, and resumed the calls once I got a notification. Neither agent or caller mentioned knowing they'd been on hold, though in one instance I could see in the transcript that the agent was speaking to me to say they were back.
Which iPhones support Hold Assist?
Hold Assist is available on iPhone 12, iPhone SE (3rd generation), and later models running iOS 26.
Is Hold Assist available everywhere?
No. It's available in the US, UK, and Canada in English, along with additional regions. See the full list of supported countries here.
Do I need to turn on Hold Assist in Settings?
Hold Assist can be enabled manually from the call screen. If you want your iPhone to automatically detect hold music and prompt you, make sure Hold Assist Detection is turned on in the Phone app settings. It should be on by default.
Will I still hear the hold music?
Nope. Once Hold Assist takes over, you can leave the call screen and use your iPhone without distraction.
What if I dismiss the Hold Assist banner?
You can still enable Hold Assist manually during a call by tapping More > Hold Assist in the call menu.