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Note: The content of this article is currently based on reported information and beta testing results. The iOS 26 feature set may still evolve before launch.   Apple’s upcoming iOS 26 release (which may occur on the 9th of September) introduces important changes to how text messages are displayed on iOS devices. This will likely impact brands that rely on SMS to reach consumers.   Reported new features include message screening for "Unknown Senders", call screening to filter spam calls, and spam reporting for voicemail. These new tools provide more robust spam protection, though users can manage settings to customize their filtering preferences.   This article details the filtering functionalities that are reportedly included with iOS 26, provides guidelines for message visibility, and discusses additional features that are reported to be included with the iOS update.   The key change: Screen Unknown Senders   Apple has updated their Screen Unknown Senders functionality (previously known as Filter Unknown Senders) in iOS 26. When activated by users, this feature becomes a configurable setting in the Messages app. Messages from unrecognized senders (or numbers) are labeled as Unknown Senders.   In the earliest release of iOS 26, these messages were placed in a newly created folder labeled Unknown Senders. No corresponding notifications or previews are pushed for these types of messages. This means that even opted-in subscribers might miss a message unless your brand is recognized as a trusted sender or an action was completed to establish your brand as a trusted sender. To change these settings, iOS users must go to Settings > Messages and scroll down to the Message Filtering section. The table below describes the locations in which messages may arrive in iOS 26: Location Description Main inbox Trusted messages appear here normally. Unknown Senders This folder is for messages from senders/numbers not in your contacts. It is useful for filtering out promotional messages. Note: This inbox appears if the corresponding toggle is activated (which is the default behavior). When activated, this functionality move messages from unknown senders to the Unknown Senders list while suppressing the corresponding notifications. Spam This folder is for messages detected as outright scams or junk. Apple's on-device intelligence identifies these threats and automatically moves them to this folder. Priority Notifications To prevent recipients from missing important messages, some messages may temporarily bypass iOS filtering. The Messages application will identify time-sensitive messages and surface them for users in the main conversation list for one hour (even if they are from unknown senders/numbers). These exceptions may include one-time passcodes, verification codes, order confirmations, and appointment alerts. Note that this is a significant shift from prior iOS versions. Note: SMS visibility depends heavily on sender reputation, user interaction, and, ultimately, the Message Filtering settings for the device. This may vary in some situations and depends on several factors (for example, whether the user's device is new, what specific version of iOS 26 the device is running, etc.).     Additional screening functionalities In addition to message screening, iOS 26 reportedly updates call screening and spam reporting functionalities. Calling   Similar to message filtering, there are settings that manage filtering for calls. When enabled, the Screen Unknown Callers feature automatically screens unknown callers before notifying the user. Once the caller shares their name and the reason for their call, the device rings and displays a real-time transcript. The user can decide if they want to answer, ignore, or block. Report Spam for voicemails iOS 26 adds a new Report Spam button for voicemails from unknown numbers. This allows you to report unwanted or junk voicemails directly to Apple from the Phone app.  How Sinch helps keep your messages visible   Sinch is actively testing iOS 26 betas to ensure brands can adapt smoothly. We recommend the following strategies to maintain visibility:   Encourage subscriber-initiated opt-ins - When users send the first opt-in message, Apple automatically classifies your brand as a Known Sender, ensuring your messages appear in the main inbox with corresponding notifications. Use Contact Cards - Prompt subscribers to save your brand as a contact during onboarding. Once saved, your messages are permanently treated as trusted. Engage early and often - Apple’s rules promote sender recognition after three or more interactions. Using welcome flows, conversational messaging, and follow-up offers helps secure Known Sender status. Rely on Sinch expertise - As an industry leader and CTIA board member, Sinch was one of the first to communicate these changes to our partners in the ecosystem. Sinch works closely with carriers and ecosystem partners to combat spam and safeguard trusted messaging—ensuring your communications continue to reach subscribers reliably. What to do now   Sinch recommends you take the following actions to prepare for the release of iOS 26: Review your current opt-in flows to ensure subscriber-initiated engagement where possible. Add Contact Cards to your welcome journeys where possible. Strengthen early subscriber engagement to build Known Sender recognition. Note that Apple’s filtering logic may still evolve before launch. However, by preparing now with Sinch’s proven best practices, you can help ensure that your messages will remain front and center in iOS 26. Other new features   Below are additional new features that are reported to be included with the release of iOS 26: Liquid Glass design iOS 26 introduces a fresh, unified design language—Liquid Glass, inspired by visionOS—with rounded, translucent elements that react to motion and lighting, bringing a fluid and layered visual experience system-wide. Home & Lock Screen enhancements Lock Screen Widgets can now be placed at the bottom of the screen. The time display dynamically adjusts in size based on the background or notification stack. A new Clear theme lets you apply translucent, glass-like app icons. You can apply a 3D depth effect to wallpapers—so subjects appear to pop off the screen as you move the device. Battery & power management Adaptive Power has been added. This is a smart mode that adjusts brightness and limits performance during heavy usage without disabling background tasks like traditional Low Power Mode. Estimated time to full charge now appears on both the Lock Screen and in Settings. Battery usage is now color-coded: orange for high usage, blue for normal or low usage. Each app shows how much it contributed to background activity, notifications, or battery drain. Wireless charging speeds on iPhone 16 models increase from 15 W to up to 25 W via third-party Qi2 chargers, enabling ~50% battery in ~30 minutes. Accessibility upgrades Reader Mode offers improved text readability for users with low vision or reading impairments. Braille Access lets your iPhone serve as a full-featured braille device—including input, navigation, transcript reading, and Nemeth code support—no external hardware needed. Head Tracking allows cursor control via facial expressions (e.g., smile, eyebrow raise, blink). A built-in audio equalizer introduces Comfort and Focus modes to automatically adjust frequencies for better listening. Apple Intelligence enhancements Live Translation now works for voice and text conversations with on-device models, expanding language support. Genmoji enables you to combine existing emojis into new ones without typing prompts. Visual Intelligence integrates with ChatGPT and lets you tap on content—like screenshots—to ask questions or search using AI. Apple opens this up to developers. Integrating Apple Intelligence into a Swift app can now be done in as few as three lines of code. A full-screen preview provided after taking screenshots provides interactive AI-powered insights on selected areas  Voice dictation improvements You can now spell out words when dictating—useful for names, complex terms, or unusual spellings. Always-On Display (AOD) A Wallpaper Blur option gives you the ability to blur the background image on the Always-On Display. Wi-Fi advancements Added support for Wi-Fi Aware, allowing devices to discover and connect directly with nearby devices without an access point. Captive Assist simplifies public Wi-Fi logins by automatically sharing form credentials across your Apple devices. Keyboard Feedback Pressing the emoji key now displays its description right below in the search box—helpful for accessibility and clarity. Screenshots & Screen Recording Full-screen previews no longer shrink into an icon—they stay full-screen after capture. iOS 26 adds support for HDR screenshots and screen recordings. eSIM Transfer with Android You can now transfer an eSIM directly between an iPhone and an Android device—no carrier QR code needed. ... View more

FCC Revocation Rule 64.1200 (a)(12) -> Effective April 11 Some important news regarding the effective date for this policy.  The FCC has delayed the “reasonable methods” provision of the new revocation of consent regulations until April 11, 2026, in its Order released just four days before the revocation rules were set to take effect on April 11, 2025.   In response to waiver requests from several banking and financial institutions, the FCC acknowledged that businesses need additional time to implement revocation procedures that are both cost-effective and compliant with the new rules. Implementation is particularly challenging for organizations that use multiple communication systems or must coordinate revocations across various consumer-facing business units.   Despite this limited delay, the FCC emphasized that compliance with other provisions of the new revocation rules remains mandatory starting April 11, 2025. These include amendments to sections 47 C.F.R. § 64.1200(a)(9)(i)(F) and (d)(3).  The FCC has delayed implementation of this rule only as it relates to this broad application of opt-outs across unrelated communications. The rest of the new TCPA rule — including requirements to honor common opt-out keywords and process revocations within 10 business days — is still on track to go into effect on April 11, 2025.   Although the implementation deadline has been extended, it is unlikely the rules will be overturned. There is no active legal challenge, and the rules received unanimous FCC approval, consistent with the agency’s broader effort to empower consumers in choosing who may contact them.   Businesses should continue preparing for compliance by:   Updating processes to coordinate opt-outs across communication channels (e.g., calls vs. texts). Training staff on recognizing valid revocation requests. Setting clear parameters to identify when a call or text should be treated as a revocation. Establishing review mechanisms to ensure opt-outs are properly tracked and honored.   This supplementary Order allows consumers to revoke their consent to receive unwanted communications, such as telemarketing calls or SMS messages, at any time and through any reasonable means. This rule is also wrapped up under TCPA and is aimed at protecting consumers from unwanted or abusive communications.     Key Aspects of the FCC Revocation Rule:   Right to Revoke Consent: Consumers can withdraw their consent to receive calls or texts at any time. This revocation can apply to robocalls, telemarketing calls, or promotional SMS messages. Reasonable Means for Revocation: The rule allows consumers to revoke consent in any reasonable manner, which could include verbal requests, written requests, or replying with keywords (such as "STOP" to an SMS). There is no specific requirement for how consent must be revoked; it must simply be clear that the consumer no longer wishes to receive communications. The Order provides a list of keywords, with some new inclusions, revoke and opt out, in addition to the already mandatory list of stop, end, quit, unsubscribe and cancel that, if used, conclusively revoke consent and cannot be challenged. The list is not intended to be exhaustive. If a consumer uses a word or phrase not included in the Order, a rebuttable presumption is created “that the consumer has revoked consent, absent evidence to the contrary.” While this rebuttable presumption appears to be broad, the burden of proof still largely rests on the consumer. In the event of a dispute, consumers must point to the precise message or method used to convey their revocation of consent, and a court may look at the totality of circumstances surrounding the situation to determine “whether the consumer had a reasonable expectation that they could effectively communicate their request for revocation to the caller in that circumstance.” The Order clarifies that revocation of consent from a particular type of robocall or robotext operates as revocation of consent to all robocalls and robotexts from the caller or sender to that phone number. Once consent is revoked, a caller or sender cannot make robocalls or send robotexts to the recipient absent an applicable exemption. If an exemption applies, a caller or sender must comply with the conditions on the number and frequency of their communications, and the recipient can choose to opt out of receiving the exempted communications. The Order states that revocation of consent to receiving robocalls and robotexts operates separately from the ability of callers to make informational calls without consent. *It is recommended that you apply logic and consideration if your brand hosts multiple campaigns that are one-time, transactional and promotional in nature.  Ensuring that continued engagement with the subscriber involves only messaging they wish to receive. Obligation on Businesses: Once consent is revoked, businesses are required to stop contacting the consumer immediately. Failure to honor the revocation can result in penalties and lawsuits under the TCPA. Consumer Protection: The rule empowers consumers by ensuring they maintain control over the communications they receive. This rule has been confirmed by courts to apply even if the initial consent was given freely. Please note that our US Tier 1 carrier partners already established Best Practices for aggregators like Sinch to communicate downward to our customers to implement "other" opt-out keywords, to monitor  subscriber sentiment and if applicable to incorporate opt out keywords in other languages. We shared these in February 2024 as a CN they can also be found here in Community Sinch Opt-out Guide.   If you have any questions please reach out to your Legal, your Sinch Account Manager or a member of the North American Compliance Team. ... View more

The Messaging Team at Sinch wants to offer some suggestions for best practices for sending during the highest messaging periods of the year.  To ensure the best deliverability with the lowest latency we have increased our SMS and MMSC platform capacity for extra headroom and worked with our MNO partners to add additional capacity to support the large volume of traffic expected during the busy period leading up to and thru Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  There are also some simple steps offered below you can take to maintain high deliverability during the busy retail holiday periods.     General Best Practises   Avoid sending at top of the hour. That is when MNO networks are busiest Consider alternate sending times during peak MNO Network Sending times. 930am-3pm EST Use Shorter delivery validity period (where our apis support this) Avoid using multipart messages if possible.   Special Considerations for 10DLC   All 10DLC traffic MUST be properly registered sending into the USA. Send within your brand’s and campaign’s sending limits. These can be found in our 10DLC Guide. Please review our 10DLC Messaging FAQ's for more guidance on sending limits and registration.   MMS   Avoiding sending during top of the hour times, especially important where MNO networks are busiest. Make sure to only send MMS Best Practices for Images & Videos.   Learn more about and try out Sinch SMS   Take a look at the Sinch SMS Product page to learn more about our SMS products, or click here to sign up to our self-service portal and get started today. ... View more

What Senders (Originators, Numbers) are supported in the US for A2P SMS/MMS Services?   All A2P Senders in the US are Dedicated 2-way Products.  They all require some level of registration for the Brand (Sender) to the number(s).  They all must support/respond accordingly to mandatory Keywords for STOP (Opt-out) and HELP (Customer Support).  Supported Originators are Short Code, 10DLC (Local Numbers) and Toll Free Numbers (TFN).  Alpha is not supported today.   Take a look at the Sinch SMS Product page to learn more about our SMS products, or click here to sign up to our self-service portal and get started today. ... View more