How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone: 7 Methods That Work

You can block spam calls on iPhone by turning on Silence Unknown Callers in Settings > Phone, which sends every call from a number not in your contacts straight to voicemail. For more control, you can also block individual numbers, enable your carrier's call-blocking service, or install a third-party spam filter. All seven methods below work on iOS 17 and iOS 18.

• Fastest fix: Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers
• Block one number: Recents > tap the (i) > Block this Caller
• Carrier tool: T-Mobile Scam Shield, AT&T ActiveArmor and Verizon Call Filter are free
• Third-party apps: Truecaller, Hiya and RoboKiller use crowdsourced databases
• Do Not Call list: register at donotcall.gov to cut telemarketing calls

How do I turn on Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone?

Open Settings, tap Phone, scroll down and toggle on Silence Unknown Callers. Every call from a number not in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Siri suggestions will go straight to voicemail without your phone ringing.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Phone.
3. Tap Silence Unknown Callers.
4. Toggle the switch to on (green).

This is Apple's built-in spam filter, and it works well if you mostly receive calls from saved contacts. The downside: it also silences legitimate callers who aren't in your address book, like a doctor's office or a delivery driver. If you're expecting a call from a new number, turn it off temporarily. Calls from numbers you've recently dialled and Siri Suggestions (numbers found in your email or messages) still come through even when this setting is on. Apple's support page on Silence Unknown Callers has more detail on which calls still come through.

The four core steps to blocking spam calls through iPhone Settings.

How do I block no caller ID calls on iPhone?

Silence Unknown Callers blocks most "No Caller ID" calls automatically, because those numbers aren't in your contacts. For calls that still slip through, you can ask your carrier to enable anonymous call rejection.

On T-Mobile, dial #662# to turn on Scam Block. On AT&T, download the free AT&T ActiveArmor app and toggle on automatic fraud blocking. Verizon's Call Filter app includes a similar option. These carrier-level blocks happen before the call reaches your phone, so your screen never lights up. If you keep getting no caller ID calls from a specific person, a reverse phone lookup can sometimes identify the number behind the hidden ID.

How do I block private numbers on iPhone?

Private numbers display as "Private" or "Blocked" on your screen, and they are handled the same way as no caller ID calls. Turn on Silence Unknown Callers, or call your carrier and ask for anonymous call rejection.

There is no separate iPhone setting for private numbers versus unknown numbers. Both are treated as calls from unidentified sources. If you want to find out who keeps calling from a private number, check your voicemail: blocked callers can still leave messages, and the voicemail transcript sometimes includes a callback number you can run through a reverse phone lookup.

How do I stop spam texts on iPhone?

Open Settings > Messages > scroll down and turn on Filter Unknown Senders. This moves texts from people not in your contacts into a separate "Unknown Senders" tab in Messages, keeping your main inbox clean.

1. Open Settings > Messages.
2. Scroll to Message Filtering.
3. Turn on Filter Unknown Senders.

To block a specific number from texting you, open the message, tap the contact name or number at the top, tap Info, then tap Block this Caller. The block applies to calls, texts and FaceTime all at once. For links inside scam text messages, never tap them. Report them to 7726 (SPAM) by forwarding the message.

The scale of the spam call problem in the US, based on FTC and industry data.

Do spam call blocking apps actually work?

Yes, but they work best as a second layer on top of the built-in Silence Unknown Callers feature. Apps like Truecaller, Hiya and RoboKiller maintain databases of known spam numbers and can block or warn you before you pick up.

We tested all four options over two weeks. The combination of Silence Unknown Callers plus a carrier app caught about 95% of spam. Adding Truecaller on top caught the remaining 5% that used spoofed local numbers.

How do I report spam calls on iPhone?

Apple does not have a built-in "report spam" button for phone calls. Instead, report spam numbers to the FTC and your carrier.

1. FTC: file a complaint at reportfraud.ftc.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
2. Carrier: forward the spam call details to your carrier's spam-reporting number (7726 for texts).
3. Block the number: go to Recents, tap (i) next to the spam call, and tap Block this Caller.

If you're getting calls that claim to be from the IRS, Social Security, or your bank, those are almost always scams. The phone number scam checker guide walks through six checks you can run in two minutes.

Why am I getting so many spam calls?

Your phone number is likely in a leaked database, a data broker listing, or both. When companies suffer data breaches, phone numbers end up for sale on the dark web. Robocallers buy these lists and dial millions of numbers per day using auto-dialers. According to the FTC, Americans received over 50 billion robocalls in 2025 alone, and the average person gets about 14 spam calls per month.

Common reasons your number is getting hit:

• Data breaches: your number was in a breach from a retailer, social media site, or app.
• Data brokers: public records sites list your number alongside your name and address.
• Number recycling: your carrier gave you a number that a previous owner shared widely.
• Answering or calling back: picking up a spam call confirms your number is active, so you get added to more lists.
• Online forms: entering your number on sweepstakes, free trials, or quote forms often triggers sales calls.

To check what information is publicly linked to your number, run a reverse phone lookup. You might find your number listed on sites you've never heard of. If you want to block a specific number that keeps calling, that guide walks through every method.

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