How to Block Unwanted Callers on iPhone?

Are you getting unwanted calls on your iPhone? In this guide, I will show you how to block unwanted callers on your iPhone. Whether you want to stop spam calls or just block specific phone numbers, this iPhone call blocking guide is for you.

Why You Should Block Unwanted Callers

Unwanted phone calls are annoying. They disturb your day and peace of mind. Besides, there’s no reason to let them ring if you can block those spam calls in the first place. By following a few simple steps, you can protect yourself from spam calls while ensuring your phone only rings for calls you actually want to answer.

How to Block a Phone Number on an iPhone

So, how do you block a phone number on your iPhone? First, let’s talk about blocking specific numbers, whether it’s someone you know or a robocaller or telemarketer who has been calling you nonstop.

To block a recent caller, open the Phone app, click on Recents, and tap on the information icon (i) next to a number. Then, scroll down and click on Block This Number.

To block a contact, tap on their contact from the Contacts app, scroll to the bottom, and click on Block This Number.

How to Silence Unknown Callers

To silence unknown callers, go to Settings > Apps > Phone and turn on the Silence Unknown callers option.

This silences all callers that are not saved as contacts. When they call, they will not be blocked, but your phone will not ring, and they will be sent straight to voicemail. You will still be able to see them in the recent calls list.

How to Filter Unknown Senders in Messages

If you would also like to filter unknown senders from your messages inbox to block spam texts on your iPhone, go to the Messages app, click on the three lines at the top of the screen on the right, and select Manage Filtering. There, turn on Screen Unknown Senders.

Optional: Click on Allow Notifications and select certain categories to whitelist them. These can include, for example, two-step verification texts.

How to View and Manage Blocked Numbers

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts to view your blocked contacts list. Tap the minus icon or hit Unblock to unblock a phone number so you can start receiving calls from that number again.

How to Stop Spam and Robocalls on an iPhone

To stop spam calls on your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering and turn on Spam. This will filter out calls identified as spam by your carrier.

For better protection, install a spam-blocking app like Truecaller or Robokiller. You will also need to go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification and toggle the app on, so it has permissions to block calls for you.

You can also register your phone number on the Do Not Call list to ensure marketers know they cannot contact you. You can do that on donotcall.gov.

Can Emergency or Important Calls Be Blocked?

Yes. You may have mistakenly blocked an emergency call or an important call. Go check your blocked list to ensure you didn’t block anyone by mistake.

If you have silenced unknown callers, make sure to save any important numbers as contacts so your phone rings when they call.

You may also miss an important call if your phone is on silent, Do Not Disturb, or a Focus mode. To bypass this, open your Contacts app and select a contact. Tap Edit and then click on Ringtone, and then turn on Emergency Bypass.

Why Am I Still Receiving Spam Calls?

You may receive spam calls for several reasons. Spam callers can sometimes slip through spam filters, even if you use a spam-blocking app. Also, even if you put your number on the Do Not Call registry, some people may not honor it, even though it’s against the law. However, you may be able to take legal action against them. The quickest way to stop a persistent spammer, though, is to just block their number.

Tips for Protecting Yourself From Phone Scams

Let’s wrap up with some general tips on how to avoid phone scams and keep yourself safe:

Use an app like Truecaller to identify scam calls from likely spammers.
Silence unknown callers and filter spam calls.
If you suspect someone is a scammer, hang up and don’t engage further.
If someone calls claiming to be from Google, your bank, or another institution, and asks for personal information, hang up. Call back on a verified number (such as the one printed on the back of your credit card) to verify that the call was genuine. Always avoid giving personal information to unsolicited callers claiming to be from your bank or another institution, as it could be a phishing attempt.
Verify a secret passcode to use with family members or close friends to verify their identity if they call from new or unknown numbers. This will help you avoid AI voice impersonation scams.

Conclusion

I hope this iPhone call blocking guide was helpful and you now know how to stop spam calls and block unwanted callers on your iPhone. This information will help you stay safe online and avoid falling victim to phone scams.