How to Use the New Phone App in macOS Tahoe
AI-generated, human-reviewed.
With the release of macOS Tahoe, Apple introduced a dedicated Phone app on the Mac, making calling from your desktop easier and feature-rich. Whether you missed calls being part of FaceTime or want better screening, voicemail, and translation tools, this guide explains what’s new and how to set it up.
On Hands-On Apple, Mikah Sargent found the new Phone app significantly streamlines calling from your Mac, with robust new features, better separation from FaceTime, and enhanced call management.
What's New in the macOS Tahoe Phone App
The most notable update is the Phone app is now separate from FaceTime. This gives you a clear, dedicated place to handle standard phone calls right from your Mac.
Key additions include:
- Streamlined call setup (no more digging in FaceTime)
- Hold Assist: Automatically notifies when a held call is ready
- Live Voicemail: Preview voicemails as they’re left
- Call Screening: Silence or request info from unknown callers
- Call Recording & Transcription: Transcribe and summarize calls in Notes
- Live Translation (Beta): Translate calls in real time between languages
Previously, most of these features required either third-party tools or weren’t available on macOS at all.
How to Set Up Phone Calls on Your Mac
Before you can make or receive non-FaceTime calls from your Mac using the Phone app, Mikah highlighted a few required steps:
- WiFi Connectivity: Both your Mac and iPhone need to be on the same WiFi network.
- Apple ID Sign-in: Use the same Apple ID on both devices.
- Enable Calls on Other Devices: On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Calls on Other Devices, and turn on the feature.
- FaceTime Phone Number Activation: Open FaceTime settings on both devices and ensure your phone number is active and checked.
After setup, you can now access the new Phone app for direct calls, not just FaceTime audio or video.
Key Features and What They Do
Hold Assist
Get notified automatically when it’s time to take a call off hold, which is a boon for anyone dealing with customer service queues.
Live Voicemail
See a written preview of voicemails as callers leave them, allowing you to choose whether to answer mid-message.
Call Screening and Filtering
Unknown callers can be prompted to explain their reason before you answer, or simply silenced and sent to voicemail. You can also filter call lists between contacts, missed, and unknown numbers for easier management.
Call Recording & Transcription
When you enable call recording (with audible alerts to both sides), the conversation is recorded and an automatic transcript appears in the Notes app. This is especially useful for note-taking during important business or support calls.
Live Translation (Beta)
Translate live calls between languages. Set your and the caller’s preferred languages, and the app provides real-time translation. This is ideal for multilingual communication. Note that voices are neutralized for clarity rather than preserving the original tone.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Phone App
- Always ensure your devices are on the same WiFi and Apple ID for seamless operation.
- If you don’t see call options, double-check iPhone settings under Calls on Other Devices.
- Use Favorites to quickly access most-called contacts directly in the app.
- You can configure microphone and audio output devices in the menu bar for the best call quality. This is especially helpful if you’re using AirPods or high-end mics.
- For privacy and productivity, take advantage of call recording, voicemail preview, and unknown caller screening.
Why Not Try It?
- The new standalone Phone app makes non-FaceTime calling more user-friendly and organized.
- Features like call screening, live voicemail, hold assist, and call recording add measurable value for personal and professional users.
- Proper setup (WiFi, Apple ID, iPhone settings) is essential for all features to work.
If you use your Mac for work or frequent calls, upgrading to macOS Tahoe and using the new Phone app dramatically streamlines your experience. It brings advanced features previously limited to iPhone, letting you handle calls, voicemails, and even translations directly from your desktop.
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