Own a business? Apple will let you display your logo icon in iPhone calls

Apple

Many businesses use logos and other branding to give themselves a visual identity -- distinguishing them in the eyes of customers. Now, Apple is making it easier for such businesses to share their visual branding when dealing with iPhone users.

On Wednesday, Apple announced an update to its Business Connect feature that allows companies to display their logos in emails, phone calls, and even Apple Pay purchases. With the new service, any verified business will be able to create and share their branding, location, and other info across Apple's Phone, Mail, Maps, and Wallet apps.

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Launched in January 2023, Business Connect already lets you control the information displayed about your business in Apple Maps. Beyond confirming that all the details are correct, you can add photos and logos to your Maps profile, offer promotions, and even let people order certain items or make reservations.

The new capability takes that customization a step further by helping you personalize your everyday phone calls and emails with customers.

The new feature is available to owners of virtual, online, and physical businesses. To check it out, sign into Apple's Business Connect page with your Apple Account. Add the necessary information about your company and then register for the service.

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After you've registered, you can freely customize your brand with images of your logos. Physical businesses can also manage their location details with help from listing management agencies like DAC Group, Rio SEO, SOCi, Uberall, and Yext.

Using the Branded Mail option, you'll be able to display your brand name and logo in emails to customers and your Apple Maps profile. Sign up for Branded Mail now, and your logo will start popping up for customers later this year. If you accept payments through Apple Pay, you can opt to show your own logo instead of a generic category icon. Your logo will appear when a customer activates the "Tap to Pay" option on an iPhone.

Starting next year, you'll be able to register for Business Caller ID. This means that your company name, logo, and department will appear on the calling screen when you contact a customer. The goal is to separate your business calls from spam calls, making it more likely that the person you're contacting will answer.

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"We're excited to offer all businesses -- including those without a physical location -- the ability to create a brand that appears across the Apple apps that over a billion people use every day," David Dorn, Apple's senior director of Apple's Internet Software and Services Product, said in the news release. "We designed Business Connect to empower businesses to present the best, most accurate information to Apple users."