Can my iPhone wait on hold for me?
Yes. In iOS 26 it’s called Hold Assist: during a call, tap More, then Hold Assist, and your iPhone alerts you when a live agent is available. You still make the call yourself and stay on it while it waits, on an iPhone 12 or later, and not in every country.
Vicem is an AI that makes the call for you instead: on Vicem Plus, it calls US and Canadian numbers, waits on hold up to the time you set and rings you in when a person picks up.
Updated Checked on October 17, 2026
How do I use Hold Assist on iPhone?
- Make the call yourself. When you’re put on hold, tap More, then Hold Assist.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
- Or let your iPhone offer it: when it detects you’re on hold, it can offer Hold Assist.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
- Make sure your iPhone is set to ring, and step away.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
- When a live agent is available, your iPhone alerts you and shows what you missed. Tap to rejoin.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
Where does Hold Assist stop?
- You place the call, and your iPhone stays on it the whole time it waits.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
- It tells you when someone is there; you rejoin and do the talking yourself.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
- It runs on iPhone 12, iPhone SE (3rd generation) and later.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
- Apple: it isn’t available in all countries or regions.Apple support, Use Hold Assist on iPhone
How does Vicem wait on hold for you?
Vicem places the call itself, to US and Canadian numbers, so the hold never ties up your phone.
- Tell it in the app: “Call the airline and wait on hold for me.”
- Check the plan before it dials, and pick how long it may wait: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours.
- It says it’s an AI when the call starts, and again to the person who picks up after the hold.
- While it waits, the app shows how long it’s been on hold, and your place in line when the recording says it.
- When a person picks up, it rings you in. If you can’t take it, it asks for a call-back time and a reference, and tells you.
Which one should I use?
- You don’t mind making the call and keeping your iPhone close: Hold Assist, at no cost.
- You’d rather not make the call at all, or you need your phone while it waits: Vicem.
- Waits on hold for you, up to the time you set.
- Cancels a subscription for you and gets the reference.
- Asks you before anything important.
- Never says yes to extras you didn’t approve.
What do people ask?
Does iPhone have Hold for me?
Yes. In iOS 26 it’s called Hold Assist: during a call, tap More, then Hold Assist, and your iPhone alerts you when a live agent is available. It runs on iPhone 12 and later, and isn’t available in every country.
Is there an AI that waits on hold for me?
Yes. Vicem makes the call for you, on Vicem Plus, to US and Canadian numbers. It waits on hold up to the time you set, then rings you in when a person picks up.
Can an AI call customer service for me?
Yes. On Vicem Plus, Vicem calls US and Canadian numbers for you, says it’s an AI and asks you before anything important.
Can an AI cancel a subscription for me?
Yes. Give Vicem the account, and it calls, turns down offers to stay unless you want to hear them, and comes back with a reference and the end date.
How long will Vicem wait on hold?
As long as you choose: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour or 2 hours. If nobody picks up by then, it tells you.
Which plan waits on hold?
Making calls comes with Vicem Plus ($49 a month), and for now it calls US and Canadian numbers.