That of calls and spam messages is a real scourge that afflicts a large number of mobile phone users holders. And even if you are very careful not to give your mobile number to third parties, it can happen that you are the object of phone calls and messages at any time of the day.
Fortunately, blocking, filtering, and reporting unwanted calls and messages on iPhone isn’t difficult at all, and you can find greater peace of mind. Let’s find out how to do it together.
How to block unwanted calls
Let’s start with a first look at what we can do to detect and block unwanted calls . In this case, the most effective tool is certainly the filter for unknown calls: in iOS13 and later versions it is possible to activate the Silence unknown numbers function to not receive calls from those you do not know. All numbers with which you have never had any type of communication and which have not been saved in your contacts will be blocked. So, if you’ve sent a message to a phone number in the past or if someone has emailed you their phone number, calls from those numbers won’t be blocked.
Here’s how to turn on the unknown call filter:
- Go to Settings -> Phone ,
- Scroll down and tap Mute unknown numbers .
By confirming the operation, all calls from unknown numbers will be silenced, sent to the answering machine and regularly displayed in the list of recent calls. However, you will not be bothered by their ringing.
Also keep in mind that if you make an emergency call with the filter activated , then for the next 24 hours the function will be temporarily disabled, allowing you to receive all calls.
To get the best out of this feature, we recommend that you save all your most important contacts in your address book, in order not to lose their calls.
App to filter unwanted calls
If you don’t like the feature that Apple offers you, nothing stops you from going to the App Store and downloading an app that can detect and block unwanted calls .
Although each app works slightly differently, the underlying mechanism is always the same: when you receive a call, your device will check – through the app – whether the number calling you is blacklisted or not . If so, it will block the call. Some apps also allow you to act in the opposite direction, i.e. block all calls except those that come from a number included in the white list .
How to block spam messages
Just as easily as you can block calls, you can also block unwanted messages , filter those from unknown senders, and block spam messages.
Also in this case it is Apple’s operating system to give us a hand. To block messages arriving from a sender or a specific number it will be enough:
- In the Messages conversation, go to the top of the conversation and tap the sender’s name or number;
- Touch the “i” button at the top right;
- Tap on “Info”;
- Scroll down the page and tap “Block contact”.
All blocked contacts can be easily viewed by going to Settings -> Messages -> Blocked content. From here it is also possible to remove the number from the list of blocked contacts, thus being able to receive the conversations again.
It is also quite easy to filter messages from unknown senders. To do this:
- Go to Settings and then to Messages;
- Activate “Filter unknown senders”.
By doing so, all messages from senders not included in your contacts will be moved to the appropriate Unknown panel in the Message List.
