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Phones5 minute readLast checked: September 2026

How do I stop spam calls on my iPhone?

The simple answer

If you have a recent iPhone, start with Call Screening rather than automatically silencing every number you do not know.

Go to:

  1. Settings
  2. Apps
  3. Phone
  4. Screen Unknown Callers

Choose:

Ask Reason for Calling

When an unsaved number calls, your iPhone can ask the caller who they are and why they are calling before your phone rings. You can then decide whether to answer.

If you want a stronger option, choose Silence instead. Unknown callers will be silenced and sent to voicemail.

Best first choice: screen unknown callers

For many people, Ask Reason for Calling is the best place to start.

It reduces interruptions without automatically hiding every genuine caller who is not already saved in Contacts.

Go to:

  1. Settings
  2. Apps
  3. Phone
  4. Screen Unknown Callers
  5. Ask Reason for Calling

When an unknown number calls, iPhone asks the caller for their name and reason for calling. Your phone then shows that information so you can decide whether to answer.

This is different from simply blocking the number.

What is the difference between “Ask Reason for Calling” and “Silence”?

Ask Reason for Calling

Screens first

Example only

What happens

  • Unknown callers are screened first.
  • Your iPhone asks who they are and why they are calling.
  • Best for people who want fewer interruptions but do not want to miss every legitimate unknown caller.
is not the same storage as

Silence

Sent to voicemail

Example only

What happens

  • Calls from unsaved numbers are silenced and sent to voicemail.
  • Best for people who rarely need to receive calls from unknown numbers.

Not the same storage

Silence is more aggressive.

A genuine caller whose number is not in your Contacts may also be silenced.

Can my iPhone filter calls identified as spam?

Yes, where your carrier supports spam identification.

Go to:

  1. Settings
  2. Apps
  3. Phone

Under the call-filtering settings, iOS 26 can provide:

  • Unknown Callers
  • Spam

When Spam filtering is available and enabled, calls identified by the carrier as potential spam or fraud can be silenced, sent to voicemail and moved into the Spam list.

Availability and identification can depend on your mobile carrier.

How do I block one specific phone number?

Open the Phone app.

Go to Calls or Recents, depending on the Phone app layout.

Tap the caller or the Info button.

Scroll down and tap:

Block Caller

Blocking one number stops future calls from that number from reaching you normally.

The caller is not told that you blocked them.

Blocking one number does not stop spam callers who use different numbers.

Where can I see the numbers I blocked?

Go to:

  1. Settings
  2. Privacy & Security
  3. Blocked Contacts

You can review or remove blocked contacts there.

Where did my unknown or spam calls go?

Open the Phone app.

Depending on the layout, tap Calls or Recents.

Then tap the Filter button.

You may see lists such as:

  • Unknown Callers
  • Spam

Calls filtered into these lists have not necessarily disappeared.

If an unknown caller is genuine, iOS also provides a way to mark them as known so future calls are handled normally.

Could I miss an important call?

Yes — especially if you choose Silence.

A legitimate caller may use a number you have not saved. Examples include:

  • a doctor’s surgery
  • hospital
  • delivery driver
  • repair service
  • business
  • family member using another phone

If you regularly receive genuine calls from numbers you do not know, start with Ask Reason for Calling rather than Silence.

Save important regular callers in Contacts.

What if spam callers keep using different numbers?

Blocking individual numbers may help with repeated calls from the same number.

But spam operations often use many different numbers.

That is why screening/filtering unknown calls is usually more useful than trying to block every unwanted number one by one.

What if the caller says they are from my bank?

Do not rely on the caller ID or phone number alone.

If someone unexpectedly asks for:

  • passwords
  • PINs
  • one-time security codes
  • card details
  • money transfers
  • approval of a payment you do not recognise

end the call.

Then contact the bank through:

  • its official app
  • its official website
  • the number printed on your bank card

Do not call back using a number supplied by the suspicious caller.

Want to understand what a scammer can and can’t do just by knowing your number? Can someone steal money if they know my phone number?

What should I do first?

  1. Open: Settings → Apps → Phone
  2. Find: Screen Unknown Callers
  3. Start with: Ask Reason for Calling
  4. If you want stronger filtering, consider Silence.
  5. If your carrier offers spam filtering, enable the Spam option if it suits you.
  6. Block individual repeat callers when necessary.

The one thing to remember

Want fewer interruptions without missing every unknown caller?
Use Ask Reason for Calling.
Want unsaved numbers sent straight to voicemail?
Use Silence.
One caller keeps bothering you?
Block that number.

Sources checked

This answer was checked against current guidance from official sources.

Last checked: September 2026

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