Anyone who's ever frantically searched for their order number mid-conversation with customer service knows the problem. In iOS 27, a new Apple Intelligence feature called Call Context solves exactly this situation – entirely on the device and without anyone else listening in.
At WWDC 2026 this week, Apple unveiled iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and its other operating systems – with the completely revamped Siri taking center stage, receiving its most radical overhaul yet in iOS 27. Beyond the main stage, Apple is also expanding the next generation of Apple Intelligence with numerous smaller features that impact across system apps. One of these is Call Context in the Phone app, designed to make customer service calls significantly more relaxed by displaying the relevant information precisely when needed.
This is how Call Context works on the phone
Almost everyone is familiar with this scenario: You call a company to complain about an order, and the person on the other end asks for the order number. Instead of interrupting the call, frantically opening the email app, and hoping for a quick search, Apple Intelligence will now display the relevant information directly.
Apple's own example is a call to an airline to rebook a flight: The Phone app automatically finds the relevant confirmation code in the Mail app and displays it directly during the call. The feature works proactively – ideally, the information appears while the call is already in progress, without the user having to search for it.
Data protection: It's who you call that counts – not what you say
Apple's signature privacy aspect lies in the details of its functionality. Call Context doesn't analyze the content of the call, but solely focuses on who you're calling to derive helpful information. So, if you're contacting a specific airline, you'll be offered the corresponding confirmation code.
Crucially, all processing takes place exclusively on the device. No content is transmitted to Apple or third parties. This ensures that the association between the call destination and personal data remains local on the iPhone – an approach that aligns with Apple's overall Intelligence concept, which prioritizes performing as much processing as possible directly on the device.
Requirements: Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone required
Call Context launches with iOS 27 and requires the next generation of Apple Intelligence. On iPhones, this means an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or a model from the iPhone 16 series and newer – older devices do not support the necessary Apple Intelligence foundation. Users with a suitably equipped device should experience significantly less effort when making service calls in the future.
A look at regional availability is particularly worthwhile. Apple has announced that the new Siri AI will not initially launch on iPhone and iPad in the EU, while Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro will have access there – this is due to the regulatory situation, where the Digital Markets Act is slowing down the rollout of the new Siri on iPhone and iPad. However, Apple lists Call Context itself as one of the Apple Intelligence features that will be available in English at launch, and not as part of the Siri AI package. Apple has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of the EU availability for this individual feature.
iOS 27: A small feature with great everyday benefits
Call Context wasn't one of the big headlines of the keynote, but it's likely to be one of the features you won't want to be without after a short time. The idea of providing contextual information at precisely the right moment, instead of having to painstakingly gather it yourself, is a good example of how Apple Intelligence is intended to work in the background – unobtrusively, yet noticeably. The fact that the processing remains entirely on the device fits seamlessly into the privacy-focused approach Apple is using to position its AI features this year. (Image: Apple)
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