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How to Block Spam and Scam Calls on iPhone

Use iPhone’s built-in controls to screen unknown callers, silence carrier-identified spam, sort filtered calls, or block a specific number.
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On iPhone, use Settings > Apps > Phone to screen or silence numbers that are not saved in Contacts, sort likely spam calls identified by your carrier, or block a specific caller. These controls do different jobs: none guarantees that every scam call will be caught.

Choose how your iPhone handles unknown callers

In Settings > Apps > Phone, find Screen Unknown Callers. An unknown caller is a number that is not saved in Contacts. Apple’s iPhone guide describes screening as automatically answering such calls to ask for the caller’s name and reason before the phone rings; you can then decide whether to answer.

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Setting What happens Best fit
Never Unsaved numbers ring normally. You want unknown callers to reach you without screening or silencing.
Ask Reason for Calling The iPhone asks an unknown caller for more information before it rings, then shares the response so you can decide whether to answer. You want a chance to assess an unsaved caller before the phone rings. Caller and device language behavior may affect the interaction.
Silence Calls from unsaved numbers are silenced and sent to voicemail; they still appear in Recents. You prefer fewer interruptions and are willing to check voicemail for expected calls.

Apple notes that call screening is not active while roaming and turns off for 24 hours after you call emergency services. Standard calling and data rates may apply. For details, see Apple’s iPhone guide to screening and blocking calls.

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Sort unknown calls and carrier-identified spam separately

Under Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering, two options organize calls, but only one silences them:

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  • Unknown Callers moves calls from numbers not saved in Contacts out of the regular call list and into a separate Unknown Callers list. It changes where calls appear; it does not silence the ring by itself.
  • Spam silences calls your carrier identifies as potential spam or fraud, sends them to voicemail, and moves them to the Spam list. It depends on the carrier’s classification, so it is not a guarantee that every scam call will be detected.

To review filtered calls, open the Phone app and tap the Filter button, then choose Unknown Callers or Spam. Depending on your Phone app layout, calls appear under Calls in the Unified layout or Recents in the Classic layout. Apple explains these options in its call screening and identification instructions.

Block a specific person or number

For a repeat caller you have identified, block that contact or number rather than relying on the unknown-caller or carrier spam filters.

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  1. In the Phone app, open Contacts, select the person, and tap Block Contact.
  2. To block a number from call history, open its details and tap Block Caller.
  3. To review or change blocked contacts, open Settings and check the blocked contacts controls.

A blocked caller may still leave voicemail, but Apple says you will not receive a notification about it. See Apple’s instructions for blocking phone numbers, contacts, and emails.

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Keep wanted calls from getting lost

Before silencing unknown callers, save important numbers in Contacts. Apple specifically calls out family, a child’s school, and a doctor. Check the Unknown Callers and Spam lists, along with voicemail, so a call you wanted does not go unnoticed.

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If a call you expect goes straight to voicemail, check the following:

  • Focus: Check whether a Focus setting is silencing calls.
  • Screen Unknown Callers: Choose Never if you want unsaved numbers to ring normally.
  • Unknown Callers filtering: Turn it off to return those calls to the regular recent-call list.
  • Blocked Contacts: Confirm the caller’s number has not been blocked.

These are Apple’s recommended checks for calls that are not coming through; see Apple’s troubleshooting steps for missed calls. Declining a call is different from setting unknown callers to Silence: a declined call generally goes to voicemail, though in some countries or regions it may disconnect instead. Apple describes that distinction in its guide to managing unknown callers.

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