Next month, Apple’s iOS 26 update will give iPhone users more control over what text messages appear in their inbox. Texts from unknown numbers will be silenced and routed to folders like Unknown or Spam, with notifications turned off by default.

First of all, this isn’t new. Google has been segmenting unknown or “likely spam” text messages into a spam box for almost two years now. However, with over 60% of cell phone users owning an iPhone, this update is now impacting a much larger percentage of Americans.

For users, it’s a long-overdue solution to nonstop spam and phishing text messages. For nonprofits and political organizations that rely on texting, it might sound like a crisis.

I don’t see it that way.

Here’s the reality: political campaigns, spammers, and shady vendors have been abusing texting for years.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act is too outdated for the FCC to regulate SMS effectively, and the carriers had to step in with stronger rules around short codes, toll-free, 10DLC, and verified sender registrations.

And still, people get bombarded with unsolicited fundraising asks. Apple isn’t censoring anyone — they’re responding to real complaints from users.

The good news is, if your program is ethical, opt-in, and engaging, you’ll be fine. In fact, this iOS 26 change may even help you. Here’s why:

(1) Opt-in programs are built to survive filters. If someone signs up to hear from you, then your messages are more likely to land in their text message inbox. Short codes are less likely to end up in the spam folder, and registration for 10DLC or toll-free numbers helps too.

But don’t stop there: create a welcome series that asks supporters to save your number as a contact.

(2) Email is your safety net.
Your first opt-in confirmation text will sometimes get caught in filters. That’s where email comes in.

Send a follow-up email reminding supporters to add your number to their contacts, or pointing them to an important text they might have missed.

Multichannel beats single-channel every time. Mobile does not live in a vacuum—your email list is a critical partner in making sure your texts actually get read (and vice versa).

(3) Like email, engagement improves SMS deliverability.
Apple’s filters look for signals of wanted vs. unwanted texts. Supporters who click a link or reply are showing the system that your texts belong in the inbox.

In my own testing, engaging messages that ask the supporter to reply (ie. YES, multiple choice response), will perform even better than clicks for form conversions and overall engagement.

That means you should design your program to feel human—encourage people to text back, and make sure someone is on the other end.

And always, always monitor your inbox and process requested opt-outs in your replies right away.

At the end of the day, iOS 26 is not going to kill nonprofit texting. But it will raise the bar.

The organizations that build real, two-way relationships—and pair their texting with strong, ethical email programs—will still reach the people who want to hear from them.

Because if you’re texting people who asked to hear from you, this change won’t hurt you. It will probably even help.

This blog was originally a guest post for Civic Shout.