How To Deal With Robocalls On Your iPhone

Spam robocalls are getting more and more common. They can be quite a nuisance. Some of the methods that people use to deal with these, such as blocking and reporting, are ineffective because the caller ID is fake. However, ignoring them, using custom ringtones, or using services from your mobile network can help alleviate the problem.

Comments: 30 Responses to “How To Deal With Robocalls On Your iPhone”

    Joan Rudloff
    6 years ago

    Hiya works well for me. It almost notified me of suspected spam call

    Joan Rudloff
    6 years ago

    Hiya works well for me. It almost notified me of suspected spam call. Highly recommend this free app.

    Mark
    6 years ago

    Downloaded the AT&T app, it says it partners with hiya to control spam calls. I just thought it was interesting you didn’t mention that since you said you were looking at the AT&T app as well as hiya. Maybe not as in-depth of coverage as I have been led to believe.

    6 years ago

    Mark: I hadn't noticed that. Or, maybe it is new. Sorry about not being as in-depth as you hoped. I am just a guy that makes tutorials to try to help people out.

    Ruth
    6 years ago

    I LOVE Hiya. I have been using for about a year now.

    Mark Campagna
    6 years ago

    Thank you for addressing this topic.

    Will Jenkyns Voices
    6 years ago

    I use TrueCaller app, which does seem to intercept a number of these calls, preventing them from interrupting my working day, esp. if I'm in the studio. You can also add other numbers to the database to help others.

    Bob Riley
    6 years ago

    Thank you very much, Gary, for this timely tutorial. My coworkers and I were discussing this topic the other day, and no one had a clue about handling this. Now, I've got some information that I can share with them. And, as always, your website :)

    David Peters
    6 years ago

    I too use truecaller. It works very well for me. Been using it for about 3-4 yrs now

    Brian Kim
    6 years ago

    Hiya App didn’t work, RoboKiller App works really well! Combine using phone providers I.D. Blocker will help much much better.

    Jan Landy
    6 years ago

    I have been using True Caller, T-Mobile and YouMail. YouMail sees to be the best solution for me.

    John Lozes
    6 years ago

    I am very happy with the Nomorobo App (subscription) and home service (free on most voice providers).

    Beverly Pevarnick
    6 years ago

    Hiya works well for me. Thank you, Gary for all of your tips!!

    Rocky Berlier
    6 years ago

    I use TrueCaller as well. It seems to do a decent job, although I do still get a lot of robo calls with spoofed numbers (my area code and prefix). It's a merry-go-round; I block the number, they change the number. I NEVER answer numbers I don't know and press the sleep button immediately. Thanks for looking into this, Gary.

    Jerry
    6 years ago

    Are use the do not disturb button on my iPhone and no need to get calls from those on my contact list the other calls don’t rain through but I have to delete them

    DONALD
    6 years ago

    Since everyone in my address book/contact list is someone I would want to hear from, is there a way to set one ringtone for all of those? That way the default tone will alert me to a call from someone NOT in my address book.

    Donald
    6 years ago

    I should clarify earlier question...is there a way to set one ringtone for all contacts at once (i.e. NOT have to go to each contact and manually change for each). Also, I do think there is some merit in blocking calls. Assuming they use your area code and first three-digits of your phone number, that leaves 4 numbers, which is a total of 10,000 combinations. Eventually you can block every conceivable choice making ID'ing a robocall easier.

    Joe Kozuh
    6 years ago

    Where the HELL is the federal government on the issue of Robocalls ... ???
    Robocalls are interrupting MILLIONS of productive people every day ... !!!
    The Federal gov must DECLARE WAR on Robocalls asap.
    Champion this cause with the Federal gov and we will follow you ... !!!

    6 years ago

    Donald: No, you have to set it for each one. But if you use Do Not Disturb then you can turn on Allow Calls From and "Favorites" and simply add all of them to your favorites list.

    6 years ago

    Joe: The federal government long ago passed a law against spoofing phone numbers and robo calls. It really isn't something they can do much about after passing the law. The solution has to come from the tech companies and they are working on it. But there are so many small telecoms and the phone system is an open system so it is a difficult problem.

    Frank
    6 years ago

    I've been using Hiya with good success. Worth trying.

    Sharon Wetherby
    6 years ago

    Thanks for the information. AT&T is my provider too, but I didn’t know they have an app for our iPhones. Their NoMoRobo works well on our landline.

    Sharon Wetherby
    6 years ago

    Gary, I looked at the app details. There’s a $3.99 monthly fee. Not free. I now remember AT&T’s advertising a paid call blocker version for our cell phones when they launched the free NoMoRobo for our landline. We use AT&T mobile, internet, TV, & landline. Wouldn’t you think they could include this robo protection on a no-fee basis? Jerks!

    Lindy
    6 years ago

    Excellent video. Not only do these scumbags spoof their caller ID but they called me with MY NAME in the caller ID field, twice within a couple of minutes. I read somewhere that they use VOIP phone services so the Big Boys can't catch them and shut 'em down. The VOIP services have no interest in asking for help to stop the scammers at it is their bread and butter. Thanks for your service to the Apple community, Gary.

    6 years ago

    Sharon: There are actually two levels, a free one and a paid one. I'm using the free one and it is blocking some calls. I haven't tried the paid one to see the difference. But yes, I agree that whatever it is, it should be included with your service.

    Mike Uram
    6 years ago

    Thanks Gary, very helpful. A habit that I have tried to develop amongst family and friends is to first send a text that says “was going to call you, is this a good time?” This does two things, it let’s them know it’s really you and it avoids calling at inconvenient times. If I get a call without a preceding text I don’t answer, real callers will leave a voicemail.

    Marjorie
    6 years ago

    Should we use only one app? Is there a problem using both the ATT app and HIYA.

    6 years ago

    Marjorie: Ot sounds like both may do the same thing, but try it and see.

    George
    6 years ago

    Why don't the politicians tax all callers $.05 or so for initiating a call? They don't have any reservations of taxing us for everything else.

    jay burner
    6 years ago
Comments Closed.