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Apple has introduced Name Recognition, an accessibility feature available in iOS 26 that allows iPhone to listen for a user's name and send a notification when it hears it. The feature is designed to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing stay aware when someone is trying to get their attention.
Users set up the feature by going to Settings > Accessibility > Sound & Name Recognition > Name Recognition. During setup, you type your name and can optionally record a sample pronunciation to help the device recognize it. Multiple names can be added for people who go by more than one. According to Apple's support documentation, the feature is currently available in English only.
Name Recognition is part of Apple's existing Sound Recognition system, which can also notify users when it detects sounds such as doorbells, alarms, or appliances. Notifications can appear on screen or, if paired with an Apple Watch, on the wrist. A shortcut can also be added to Control Center for quick on/off access.
Learn more from the iPhone user guide here.
