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rbgnr111
User level: Level 1 (0 points)

Mac Studio Phone app automatically opens on incoming calls after OS upgrade

Ever since upgrading to Golden Gate Every time I get a phone call the phone app opens and it moves me out of what I was working on.

This is on a Mac Studio

I've disabled "calls from iphone" in facetime and in the phone app.

on my phone, I have calls set to screen before ringing through. My phone does not ring, but the mac, every time some random phone number calls will boot me out of anything I'm working on and move me into the phone app alerting me that someone is calling, even for calls that my phone would otherwise just send to voicemail because it's some spam call that was automated and didn't provide identification.


How to I get back to how it was in the previous OS version, where on relevant calls it might show an alert, but wouldn't move me out of what I'm working on and into the phone app every time?

Posted on Sep 21, 2026 8:17 AM

1 reply

neuroanatomist
User level: Level 9 (72,871 points)

Sep 21, 2026 8:38 AM in response to rbgnr111

Since you have already toggled the settings on your Mac Studio, the handshake is likely still active from your iPhone's side or via notification routing.


Use these steps to stop the focus-stealing completely:


Cut off the connection from your iPhone

Disabling the setting on your Mac sometimes fails to sync properly due to a caching bug after an OS upgrade. Turning it off directly at the source forces the iPhone to stop broadcasting the calls to your Mac Studio.

  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  • Scroll down and select Apps (or Cellular / Mobile Service depending on your exact iOS layout), then tap Phone.
  • Tap Calls on Other Devices.
  • Toggle off Allow Calls on Other Devices entirely, or specifically switch off your Mac Studio from the device list.


Change Notification styles from "Alerts" to "Banners"

If you still want the option to receive legitimate calls on your Mac but refuse to let them steal your focus, your notification style is likely set to "Alerts." Alerts act like modal windows that hijack your screen. Banners simply slide into the top right corner and disappear silently.

  • On your Mac Studio, go to the Apple Menu > System Settings.
  • Click Notifications in the sidebar, then select Phone (or FaceTime).
  • Under the alert style options, ensure it is set to Temporary instead of Persistent.
  • Alternatively, turn off Allow Notifications completely for those apps to stop the disruptions entirely. 



Check iPhone Mirroring settings

Recent macOS versions deeply integrate iPhone Mirroring and notification forwarding. Even if standard cell calls are muted, the automated spam triggers a mirrored notification hook that wakes up the Mac's phone protocols. 

  • On your Mac Studio, open System Settings > Notifications.
  • Look for the Allow notifications from iPhone section.
  • Ensure the Phone app toggle under your mirrored device is turned completely Off.


Turn FaceTime Off Entirely

If you do not intend to use your Mac Studio for making or receiving cellular and FaceTime calls, signing completely out kills the background listener that causes the focus-stealing bug.

  • Open the FaceTime app on your Mac.
  • Click FaceTime in the top menu bar and select Settings.
  • On the General tab, click Sign Out next to your Apple ID


More info: Make and receive phone calls on Mac, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256361930