If your phone rings several times a day with numbers you do not know, you are not alone. The good news is that you can stop spam calls on iPhone without installing any app. Apple builds several call-filtering tools into iOS, and they work best when you combine them. This guide walks through each setting, explains what it does, and shows how to choose the combination that fits the way you use your phone.
Quick answer: the best settings to stop spam calls
- Turn on Screen Unknown Callers (called Silence Unknown Callers on older iOS versions) so unknown numbers do not ring you.
- Turn on Silence Junk Callers if your carrier supports it.
- Use Call Filtering > Unknown Callers so missed calls from strangers go to their own list.
- Block any number that keeps calling.
The sections below show where to find each setting. The official instructions are on Apple Support, and menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions.
Setting 1: Screen or silence unknown callers
This is the strongest option. It handles every number that is not in your contacts, not a recent outgoing call, and not a Siri Suggestion.
How to turn it on
- Open Settings and tap Apps, then Phone. On older iOS versions, go to Settings > Phone.
- Scroll to Screen Unknown Callers. On older versions this is Silence Unknown Callers.
- Choose one of the options below.
What each option does
- Never: calls from unsaved numbers ring like any other call.
- Ask Reason for Calling: the caller is asked why they are calling before your phone rings.
- Silence: the call is silenced and sent to voicemail, and it appears in your recent calls.
According to Apple, calls are not screened while you are roaming, regardless of your settings. Also keep in mind that with Silence, important calls from new numbers, such as a delivery driver, a doctor’s office or a new employer, will go to voicemail. Check your voicemail and Recents list regularly.
Setting 2: Use Live Voicemail
Live Voicemail, available on iOS 17 and later, transcribes a voicemail while the caller is leaving it. You can read the message on screen as it appears. If the caller is a real person, you can pick up the call. If it is a robocall, you just ignore it. It works well together with the silence option above, because unknown callers go to voicemail and you still see what they say.
Setting 3: Filter unknown callers into a separate list
Filtering does not stop the phone from ringing by itself, but it keeps your main call list clean.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Phone.
- Scroll to Call Filtering and turn on Unknown Callers.
- In the Phone app, tap the Filter button and choose Unknown Callers to see missed calls and voicemails from numbers that are not in your contacts.
This is useful if you do not want to miss real calls from new numbers but still want them separated from calls from people you know.
Setting 4: Silence junk callers (carrier dependent)
Apple lets supported carriers flag calls they identify as potential spam or fraud. If this feature is available on your network, you can turn it on from Settings > Apps > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification, then switch on Silence Junk Callers. Calls identified as spam or fraud are silenced, sent to voicemail and moved to a Spam list.
Support depends on your carrier and region. If the option is missing, it simply means your network does not offer it. You can still use the other settings in this guide.
Setting 5: Block numbers that keep calling
Some spammers call from the same number repeatedly. Blocking them takes a few seconds.
- Open the Phone app and tap Recents (or Favorites or Voicemail).
- Tap the info (i) button next to the number.
- Scroll down and tap Block Caller, then confirm.
Blocked numbers cannot reach you by voice call, FaceTime or message. To undo this later, go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts, tap Edit, and remove the number.
Keep in mind that scammers often change numbers, so blocking alone is rarely enough. Use it together with the silence and filtering options.
Optional: Business Call Identification
Under Call Blocking & Identification you may also see Business Call Identification and options for call identification apps. These help show who is calling, using information from Apple Business Connect, supported carriers or supported apps. They do not stop calls, but they help you decide whether to answer. Treat any unexpected “bank” or “delivery” call with caution even if a name appears.
Which setting should you choose?
| Setting | What it does | Best for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Unknown Callers: Silence | Sends all unknown callers to voicemail | People who get many spam calls | You may miss real calls from new numbers |
| Screen Unknown Callers: Ask Reason | Asks the caller to state a reason first | People who want control without missing everything | Takes a moment before the call rings |
| Call Filtering: Unknown Callers | Moves unknown calls into a separate list | Keeping the call log tidy | Phone still rings |
| Silence Junk Callers | Silences carrier-flagged spam | Everyone, where supported | Depends on the carrier |
| Block Caller | Blocks one number | Repeat callers | Scammers switch numbers |
Staying safe from scam calls
Settings reduce the number of calls, but your own habits matter just as much.
- Do not call back unknown numbers, especially ones that ring once and stop.
- Do not share one-time codes, passwords or card details over the phone. Real banks and companies do not ask for them.
- Do not press keys when a recording tells you to, because that confirms your number is active.
- Hang up and call the official number if someone claims to be from your bank, a courier or a government office.
- Keep iOS updated so you receive the latest security fixes. Our guide to macOS security has more general advice on malware and updates.
Spam also reaches your inbox, not just your phone. If email is a problem as well, see what to do when the Gmail spam filter is not working. And if a scammer ever gets into one of your accounts, follow our steps to recover a Google account.
Bonus: use a Focus to allow only trusted calls
If you want a quiet phone during work, sleep or meetings, use a Focus instead of changing your main call settings. Open Settings > Focus, pick Do Not Disturb or create a custom Focus, and look for the People option. There you can choose who is allowed to reach you, for example only your contacts or only a short list of favorites. Menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions, but the idea is the same: everyone outside the allowed list is silenced while the Focus is on. You can also set it on a schedule so it switches on automatically at night.
What to do if you answered a scam call
- Hang up as soon as you feel something is wrong. Do not argue or stay on the line.
- Do not share any codes, passwords or card numbers. If you already did, contact your bank or service provider immediately.
- Change passwords for any account the caller mentioned, and turn on two-step verification.
- Block the number from the Phone app so it cannot call again from the same line.
- Report it to your carrier or the consumer authority in your country so others can be protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop spam calls on my iPhone for free?
Use the built-in settings: Screen Unknown Callers (or Silence Unknown Callers on older iOS), Call Filtering for unknown callers, Silence Junk Callers where your carrier supports it, and Block Caller for repeat numbers. None of them costs anything.
Will I still get calls from my contacts if I silence unknown callers?
Yes. Calls from people in your contacts, your recent outgoing calls and Siri Suggestions still ring normally. Only numbers outside those groups are silenced or screened.
Where do silenced calls go?
Silenced calls are sent to voicemail and appear in your Recents list. With Call Filtering turned on, they also show up under the Unknown Callers filter in the Phone app.
Why do I not see Silence Junk Callers on my iPhone?
That option depends on your carrier. If your network does not support it, the setting will not appear. Use the unknown-caller options instead.
Can I undo a blocked number?
Yes. Open Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts, tap Edit, and remove the number.
Conclusion
To stop spam calls on iPhone, combine a few built-in tools: silence or screen unknown callers, filter them into their own list, turn on Silence Junk Callers if your carrier offers it, and block numbers that keep coming back. Pair those settings with careful habits, such as never sharing codes and never calling back unknown numbers, and your phone will be far quieter without losing the calls that matter.
