To screen an unknown caller before your iPhone rings, go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers and select Ask Reason for Calling. To send unsaved numbers straight to voicemail without ringing, select Silence. For calls your carrier identifies as spam, use Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering and turn on Spam. These controls work differently, and none guarantees that every scam call will be caught.
Choose how your iPhone handles unknown callers
Apple’s current instructions place these controls in Settings > Apps > Phone. Labels and availability can vary by software version, language, and carrier. Apple’s guide to managing unknown callers describes three choices:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $584.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $409.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $388.35 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| Setting | What happens | Caller experience |
|---|---|---|
| Never | Unknown numbers ring normally. | No screening prompt. |
| Ask Reason for Calling | The iPhone asks an unknown caller for more information before it rings. You can review the caller’s response and decide whether to answer. | The caller is asked to explain why they are calling. |
| Silence | The call does not ring; it goes to voicemail and remains in call history. | No screening prompt; the caller can leave a message. |
Turn on interactive screening
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Phone.
- Under Screen Unknown Callers, tap Ask Reason for Calling.
Save important people and organizations in Contacts so their calls are treated as known. Apple specifically suggests adding family members, a child’s school, and a doctor.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Stop unsaved numbers from ringing
Follow the same path and choose Silence instead. This reduces interruptions, but it can also send a legitimate call from a number you have not saved to voicemail. Choose Never if you want unsaved numbers to ring without screening.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Silence carrier-identified suspected spam
To filter suspected spam or fraud identified by your carrier, open Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering and turn on Spam. Those calls are silenced, sent to voicemail, and placed in the Spam list, according to Apple’s call-screening and blocking guide.
This filter depends on the carrier identifying a call as suspected spam or fraud. It is not a universal scam detector: a scam call that is not identified may still get through, and a call marked as spam may be one you wanted to receive.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Keep call-history filters separate from call screening
The Unknown Callers option under Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Filtering organizes missed calls and voicemails from unknown numbers into a separate list. It does not ask callers for a reason or, by itself, silence them. Open the Phone app and tap its Filter button to review the list. Apple documents the location for both the Classic layout, under Recents, and the Unified layout, under Calls.
Identify a caller without treating identification as a safety guarantee
Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification and enable any available identification sources you want to use. Apple lists business identification information from Apple Business Connect or the carrier, as well as supported call-identification apps. Identification supplies caller information; it does not, on its own, block the call or prove that the caller is safe.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
Use Live Voicemail to read a message as it is left
Turn on Live Voicemail at Settings > Apps > Phone > Live Voicemail. When a caller is sent to voicemail, your iPhone displays a transcription as the message is spoken. If Silence Unknown Callers is enabled, unknown numbers go directly to Live Voicemail without ringing first. Calls your carrier identifies as spam are declined instead of being routed through Live Voicemail. Live Voicemail is not available in every country, region, or language; see Apple’s iOS 26 voicemail guide.
Check these limits before relying on screening
- Call screening does not screen calls while you are roaming.
- After you call emergency services, screening turns off for 24 hours.
- On iOS versions earlier than iOS 17, Apple says Live Voicemail must also be enabled to use call screening.
Apple documents these conditions in its unknown-caller instructions. Standard calling and data rates may apply while roaming.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Troubleshoot calls that go straight to voicemail
If an expected call does not ring, check the settings and conditions that can redirect or suppress it. Apple’s troubleshooting guide, published July 14, 2026, recommends checking call-related settings and updating iOS.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallQuick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
- Open Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers. Select Never if you want unsaved numbers to ring normally.
- Check whether Unknown Callers filtering is on, and look for the missed call or voicemail in the Phone app’s filtered list.
- Check Focus, Silent mode, and Blocked Contacts for settings that may prevent the call from alerting you.
- Update iOS. If cellular coverage is weak, Wi-Fi Calling may help, provided your carrier supports it.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
