iOS26 Phone Call - Unexpected Audio Targets

Question

Level 1

16 points

iOS26 Phone Call - Unexpected Audio Targets

I am the owner of a family sharing account, and have 4 associated accounts. Since upgrading to iOS26 on a 15Pro phone, the Phone audio target options include devices that are unlocked but 'owned' by other accounts in my family sharing group. For clarity, this is the button that says "Speaker" in the lower left corner on the active call screen - tapping it brings up one account's MacBook Pro (running macOS 15.7) and two iPads associated with other accounts (one iPadOS26, the other iPadOS18.7). These other devices only show up when unlocked; I haven't tested whether it is Bluetooth or WiFi related. None of my personal devices (Macbook Air, Mac Mini, iPad, Watch) show up on the list - only those linked to other accounts in my Family group.

All three devices have tethered to my phone (the 15Pro) at some point. The issue persists on a new 17 Pro as well.

The "Calls on Other Devices" option is 'off' on the phone, as is "Add Wi-Fi Calling for Other Devices."

Has anyone else had this problem? Is it an OS issue or a configuration issue?

[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 23, 2025 7:29 AM

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Answer 1

Sep 27, 2025 3:11 AM in response to ChiMG

I'm having the exact same issue on my iPhone 16 after upgrading to iOS 26. One of the iPads from my Family Sharing group now shows up as an audio option during calls — but only when that iPad is unlocked and connected to the internet.

Just like you, I already had "Calls on Other Devices" turned off, but the iPad still appeared. I even went a step further and signed into my own iCloud and FaceTime account on that iPad. That actually worked — I was able to receive calls on it. Then I signed out, double-checked all the settings, and made sure it wouldn’t appear in my call options.

But as soon as I signed back into the original owner’s iCloud account on that iPad, it immediately showed up again in my iPhone’s call audio menu.

So it definitely seems tied to the iPad being logged into its original Family Sharing account — even if "Calls on Other Devices" is off.

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Answer 2

jasond85

Level 1

14 points

Oct 2, 2025 6:20 PM in response to ChiMG

Same issue here. iOS 26 on iPhone 17 Pro and I see my kids and wife’s iPad show up on my speaker. I have waited so long to just have an option to make that button just “speaker” and not even see anything else and now I have family devices popping up. Big miss here on Apple’s part.

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Answer 3

Oct 3, 2025 9:09 AM in response to ChiMG

Same here. Very frustrating for all involved with the family sharing. I was hoping it would be resolved with ios26.0.1. Hopefully soon!

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Answer 4

kinewave

Level 1

0 points

Oct 7, 2025 9:54 AM in response to ChiMG

Same issue here. iPad associated with another family member in our family plan is showing up as an audio target in the phone app. C'mon Apple, please fix this bug.

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Answer 5

Oct 9, 2025 10:41 AM in response to ChiMG

Same issue. Should be an option to disable this behavior. I just want a one-click speaker button.

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Answer 6

Oct 11, 2025 10:04 AM in response to ChiMG

Facing exactly the same issue.

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Answer 7

Oct 11, 2025 3:57 PM in response to ChiMG

Apple Support? Please respond. Can you provide a solution for this nonsense please? Very annoying. Thank you.

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Answer 8

Oct 13, 2025 2:33 AM in response to Samapple2014

I’ve got the same problem. Why does Apple never acknowledge or respond? When clearly there are things in iOS that don’t work as they should?

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Answer 9

Oct 13, 2025 8:01 AM in response to ChiMG

I have been facing the same issue too! I hope Apple rolls out a fresh update and fixes this bug.

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