Do you feel as though your iPhone is overrun with unsolicited calls and texts? Unfortunately, you’re not alone—spam calls and messages are becoming more common, and they might come from obvious crooks to enthusiastic local companies to politicians requesting money. Fortunately, blocking certain numbers on your iPhone is simple and will save you from unsolicited calls and messages; it will only require some effort.
By registering for the FCC’s Do Not Call list, you may attempt to prevent these bulk spam calls from reaching your phone, but there’s no assurance that spammers won’t still call you. Although there isn’t a method to stop all unsolicited calls at once, you may use a mix of tools and particular number restrictions to keep them at bay.
How to immediately ban a specific contact or phone number
Even if it could feel like playing whack-a-mole to block random spam numbers just to have another one appear the next day, at least you’re taking action against the assault. If the harassment is more personal, here’s how to ensure that you don’t be contacted by someone you don’t want to hear from.
The simplest approach to block a specific number is to choose it from the Recent Calls menu, but you can also ban it from Messages, Contacts, and other locations.
Stop calls
Locate the number you wish to ban by opening the Phone app, selecting the Recents option. To access contact information, tap the Info button (the lowercase I emblem), then choose Block Caller at the bottom of the screen. To ban FaceTime, launch the app and follow the same steps: press the Info icon to view their contact details, then scroll to the bottom and choose ban Caller.
Turn off text texts
To access the contact page of the individual you wish to block, start the discussion with them and touch their name and photo at the top. After tapping the Info button on the right, select Block Caller by scrolling to the bottom.
You may also report unfamiliar numbers that aren’t in your Contacts app as spam to Apple. To flag a message, tap on it. The little blue writing that shows up beneath a message is the Report Junk button; tap it. Then choose Report Junk and Delete. The sender is not blocked as a result. You can follow the aforementioned guidelines if they message you again.
Block emails
Open the email message from the account you wish to block in the Mail app, then tap its email address. Next, choose “Block this Contact.” When you ban someone in the Apple Mail app, they are blocked on all Apple devices that are linked to your account.
It should be noted that barring undesired contacts in Apple’s Mail app won’t prevent their messages from appearing in your inbox if you use a third-party email software like Gmail or Outlook. It will be necessary for you to ban certain third-party apps.
How to automatically block unsolicited calls
Although it has certain limitations that make it less than ideal in some situations, this function may be the most helpful one Apple offered to assist fight the spike in spam calls.
However, certain numbers that you don’t have recorded in your contacts list will be automatically filtered by your iPhone and allowed to get through. Siri Suggestions will allow your phone to ring if it discovers that number in an email or text.
Additionally, this function will be toggled off for the following 24 hours if you phone emergency services, in case they need to get in touch with you again.
How to filter spam calls using a third-party program
Another option for filtering spam calls is to utilize a third-party software. First, install one or more apps on your iPhone after downloading them from the App Store. Next, select Call Blocking & Identification under Settings > Phone. You may then turn on or off the call-blocking applications that you specifically use.
There will be a setting on this same page to Silence Junk Callers if your carrier has a spam-blocking capability as part of their service. This silences calls that your carrier automatically identifies as spam, sends them to voicemail, and adds them to your recent calls list, much to Apple’s Silence Unknown Callers setting.
To remove messages from unknown numbers, go to the Settings page and follow the steps to set up an inbox-style message filtering system.
How SMS from unknown phone numbers may be filtered
Although it’s not a full block, you may configure it to prevent notifications from being sent by numbers that aren’t on your contacts list. In this manner, you may at least reduce the barrage of notifications from unknown numbers (just in case it’s a long-lost friend or relative contacting you from a new number).
Go to Settings > Messages and activate the Filter Unknown Senders setting to filter those messages.An email inbox-style list will appear when you first log in. You will receive messages from numbers that are not in your contacts if you tap the Unknown Senders button.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. While we strive to keep the content up to date and accurate, we make no warranties or guarantees of any kind regarding the completeness, reliability, or effectiveness of the methods described. Blocking spam calls and messages may vary based on iOS versions, device models, carrier features, and third-party app capabilities. Always refer to your iPhone settings or consult with Apple Support or your carrier for the most accurate guidance. We are not affiliated with Apple Inc., any third-party apps, or regulatory agencies mentioned in this guide.