How to Block Unwanted Calls on iPhone: A Definitive Guide

So, your iPhone’s ringing off the hook with calls from numbers you don’t recognize? Welcome to the club! Unwanted calls – whether they’re persistent telemarketers, irritating spam, or even worse, outright scams – are a frustrating reality in the digital age. Thankfully, Apple has baked in several features and tools to help you regain control of your communication and silence the noise. Blocking unwanted calls on your iPhone is absolutely achievable, and this guide will walk you through every method, from the basic to the more sophisticated.

The Direct Approach: Blocking Individual Numbers

The most straightforward method is to block individual numbers. This is your go-to option when you know exactly which numbers are causing the problem.

Blocking a Number From Your Recent Calls List

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap on the “Recents” tab.
3. Find the number you want to block.
4. Tap the information icon (the “i” in a circle) next to the number.
5. Scroll down to the bottom and tap “Block this Caller.”
6. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact.”

Blocking a Number From a Text Message

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Open the conversation with the number you want to block.
3. Tap the number or contact icon at the top of the screen.
4. Tap “info.”
5. Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller.”
6. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact.”

Blocking a Number From Your Contacts

1. Open the Phone app or the Contacts app.
2. Find the contact you want to block.
3. Tap the contact’s name.
4. Scroll down to the bottom and tap “Block this Caller.”
5. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact.”

Silence Unknown Callers: A Game Changer

Apple introduced the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature, and it’s a significant weapon in your arsenal. This feature automatically silences calls from numbers that are not in your contacts list. The calls are sent directly to voicemail and displayed in your recents list, allowing you to check them later.

Enabling Silence Unknown Callers

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap “Phone.”
3. Scroll down and tap “Silence Unknown Callers.”
4. Toggle the switch to the “on” position (green).

This feature effectively filters out a large percentage of spam calls, as most spammers use numbers that aren’t in your address book. However, be aware that you might miss legitimate calls from new doctors, delivery services, or other unknown but important contacts. Regularly check your voicemail and recent calls list to ensure you don’t miss anything crucial.

Third-Party Apps: Adding Extra Muscle

The App Store is brimming with third-party apps designed to identify and block spam calls. These apps use crowd-sourced databases and sophisticated algorithms to flag potentially unwanted calls.

Popular Call Blocking Apps

• Truecaller: A widely used app that identifies unknown numbers and blocks spam calls. It relies on a large community database to identify and report spam numbers.
• Hiya: Another popular option that identifies unknown callers and blocks spam and fraud calls. It boasts a comprehensive database and offers features like caller ID and reverse phone lookup.
• Nomorobo: This app focuses specifically on blocking robocalls. It intercepts robocalls and prevents them from reaching your phone.

How These Apps Work

These apps work by analyzing incoming calls and comparing the numbers to a database of known spam and scam numbers. When a match is found, the app can either block the call outright or flag it as potential spam, giving you the option to answer or decline.

Enabling Call Identification and Blocking

1. Download and install a call blocking app from the App Store.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Scroll down and tap “Phone.”
4. Tap “Call Blocking & Identification.”
5. Toggle the switches on for all the apps you want to use for call blocking.

Important Note: These apps require access to your contacts to function properly. Always review the app’s privacy policy before granting access to your data.

Carrier Services: Directly From Your Provider

Many mobile carriers offer their own call blocking services, often at no extra cost. These services leverage network-level data to identify and block potential spam and scam calls.

Contacting Your Carrier

• Verizon: Offers Call Filter, a free service that identifies and filters spam calls.
• AT&T: Provides Call Protect, a similar service with features like spam risk labeling and automatic fraud blocking.
• T-Mobile: Offers Scam Shield, a comprehensive suite of tools to block and identify scam calls.

Contact your carrier directly or visit their website to learn more about the specific services they offer and how to enable them.

Do Not Disturb: The Nuclear Option (With Caveats)

The “Do Not Disturb” feature, while not specifically designed for call blocking, can be used to silence all incoming calls except those from contacts you designate as emergency bypass contacts.

Enabling Do Not Disturb

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap “Focus” (or “Do Not Disturb” on older iOS versions).
3. Tap “Do Not Disturb.”
4. Toggle the switch to the “on” position.

Customizing Do Not Disturb

You can customize Do Not Disturb to allow calls from specific contacts or groups.

1. In the Do Not Disturb settings, tap “People.”
2. Add the contacts you want to allow calls from.
3. You can also enable “Allow Repeated Calls” to allow calls from the same number within three minutes to go through, which can be useful in emergencies.

While effective, Do Not Disturb is a drastic measure and should be used with caution, as it can block important calls along with the unwanted ones.

Staying Vigilant: Reporting Spam and Scams

Actively reporting spam and scam calls helps improve the effectiveness of call blocking services and protects others from falling victim to scams.

Reporting Spam Calls

• Report through your carrier: Most carriers provide a way to report spam calls directly through their apps or websites.
• Report to the FTC: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accepts reports of spam calls through its website, ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Report within call blocking apps: Many call blocking apps allow you to report spam numbers directly within the app.

FAQs: Your Burning Questions Answered

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about blocking unwanted calls on your iPhone.

1. What happens when I block a number on my iPhone?

When you block a number, calls and text messages from that number will no longer appear on your iPhone. The caller will be sent directly to voicemail, and you will not receive any notifications.

2. Can a blocked caller still leave a voicemail?

Yes, blocked callers can still leave voicemails, but you won’t receive a notification when they do. You can check your voicemail manually to see if any blocked numbers have left messages.

3. How do I unblock a number on my iPhone?

Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. Find the number you want to unblock and tap “Edit” in the top right corner. Tap the red minus sign next to the number and then tap “Unblock.” You can also swipe left on the number and tap “Unblock.”

4. How do I see a list of numbers I’ve blocked?

Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. This will display a list of all the numbers you have blocked.

5. Does blocking a number also block FaceTime calls?

Yes, blocking a number also blocks FaceTime calls from that number.

6. Will the person I blocked know that I blocked them?

No, the person you blocked will not receive any notification that they have been blocked. Their calls will simply go straight to voicemail.

7. Does Silence Unknown Callers block all calls from numbers not in my contacts?

Yes, “Silence Unknown Callers” silences all calls from numbers that are not saved in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Siri Suggestions. The calls are sent to voicemail.

8. Can I customize Silence Unknown Callers to allow calls from certain unknown numbers?

No, “Silence Unknown Callers” is an all-or-nothing feature. You cannot customize it to allow calls from specific unknown numbers. You would need to add those numbers to your contacts.

9. Do call blocking apps cost money?

Some call blocking apps are free, while others offer premium features for a subscription fee. The free versions often provide basic call identification and blocking, while the paid versions offer more advanced features like reverse phone lookup and enhanced spam detection.

10. Are call blocking apps safe to use?

Most call blocking apps are safe to use, but it’s important to choose reputable apps from trusted developers. Always review the app’s privacy policy before granting access to your contacts and other personal information.

11. Will resetting my iPhone remove blocked numbers?

Yes, restoring your iPhone to factory settings will remove all blocked numbers. Make sure to back up your blocked contact list if you want to restore it later.

12. What if I’m still receiving spam calls even after using these methods?

Unfortunately, spammers are constantly evolving their tactics. If you’re still receiving unwanted calls, try using a combination of the methods described above. Regularly update your call blocking apps and report spam numbers to your carrier and the FTC. Be patient and persistent, and eventually, you should see a significant reduction in spam calls.

By implementing these strategies and staying informed, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive on your iPhone and reclaim control of your communication. Remember, vigilance is key in the ongoing battle against spam and scam calls.