Spam calls and unwanted contacts hammer my phone weekly. iPhone has solid built-in tools to block them – some that work per-number, some that block entire categories. Here's every option.
Combine a few of these and you eliminate 90% of unwanted calls.
Block a specific number
The most direct method. After a spam call, open the Phone app. Tap Recents. Find the call. Tap the i icon next to it.
Scroll to the bottom. Tap Block this Caller. Confirm. That number can never call or text you again until you unblock.
Same flow from Messages or from any contact card. The block applies across calls, FaceTime, and iMessage.
Silence unknown callers
The most aggressive built-in option. Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. Toggle on.
Now any call from a number that isn't in your contacts goes straight to voicemail without ringing your phone. Calls from your contacts ring normally.
Downside – real callers like doctor offices, delivery drivers, or new clients get silenced too. Check voicemail regularly when this is on.
Focus modes for selective blocking
Focus modes let you allow only specific people to ring you during certain times. Settings > Focus > pick a mode (or create one).
Under People, set Allowed Notifications. Pick "Allow notifications from" and add specific contacts or groups. Everyone else is silenced when this Focus is active.
Schedule the Focus to automatically activate during meetings, sleep, or work hours. More flexible than a blanket block.
Use Do Not Disturb during sleep
For overnight, the Sleep Focus is great. iOS sets it up automatically based on your sleep schedule in Health.
You can also manually toggle Do Not Disturb from Control Center (moon icon). Calls don't ring but you still get them in your call log when you wake up.
For genuine emergencies, enable Allow Repeated Calls in Focus settings. If someone calls twice within 3 minutes, the second call gets through.
Spam filter through carrier
Your carrier has its own spam protection that works before calls even reach your phone:
- Verizon Call Filter – free basic spam detection, premium adds caller ID
- AT&T ActiveArmor – blocks fraud calls, free with most plans
- T-Mobile Scam Shield – includes Scam ID and Scam Block free
Set up the carrier app. Enable max spam blocking. Calls flagged as scams either don't ring or show "Scam Likely" on the caller ID.
Third-party call blocking apps
Third-party apps cover what carrier and iOS miss:
- Truecaller – massive shared database of spam numbers, free
- Hiya – similar approach, good free tier
- Robokiller – $4/month, blocks more aggressively
- YouMail – replaces voicemail with smart screening
Truecaller is the best free option. Install, give it permissions through Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification > toggle Truecaller on. Now its database screens incoming calls.
Block from Voicemail
If a spam call left a voicemail, you can block from there. Open Phone > Voicemail. Tap a voicemail. Scroll the contact info section.
You see options to call back, add to contacts, or block. Tap Block this Caller. Confirm. Done.
View your blocked list
To see everyone you've blocked – Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. Full list shows phone numbers and names where available.
To unblock someone, tap Edit, then the red minus icon next to their entry, then Unblock. Calls from them resume normally.
When blocking isn't enough
Spammers cycle through different numbers. Blocking one doesn't stop them – they just call from a new number tomorrow. The carrier-level and app-based filters handle this better since they recognize the spammer's pattern not just their specific number.
For a permanent solution against persistent harassment, contact your carrier's fraud line. They can block ranges of numbers or the spammer's carrier-level identity. Stops every number they switch to.
How many spam calls do you get daily? Tell me and I'll suggest the best combo of these methods.