How To Block Spam Calls On an iPhone

There's no perfect way to block all unwanted calls and messages on your iPhone. But you can use some apps, blocking and a built-in feature on your iPhone to reduce the time you have to deal with them to almost nothing.

Comments: 21 Responses to “How To Block Spam Calls On an iPhone”

    Jim Benson
    3 years ago

    Great video post. I stopped answering most calls to my phone long ago. Your suggestions are helpful. If everyone would actively fight spammers, they would eventually go away as their profits drop. I agree that the phone companies must share the blame for the problem, as does Congress who let telemarketers call cell phones some years back.

    Steve Taylor
    3 years ago

    Excellent report, Gary, and I am a longtime viewer and have saved quite a few if your videos.
    One suggestion: you've gotten so used to/tired of the Patreon blurb at the top that you're really rushing through it in this video. Lot of slurred words. As a retired radio and TV guy, my advice is: read it again next time.

    3 years ago

    Steve: Maybe time to mix it up by saying it another way too. Thanks!

    Robin Oram
    3 years ago

    I find that calls announced as “No Caller ID” calls can be stopped, eventually, by simply answering the call and immediately closing it. The robo-caller will give up after a couple of weeks. That at least is my experience with MEO in Portugal who only want to talk me into changing my inexpensive fixed-line contract as this starts a new contract legally valid for 2 years with onerous “fidelity”clauses that can make them a ton of money if you try to get out. Is this common in the States?

    3 years ago

    Robin: I would say it is the opposite. Answering and hanging up would only tell the robocalled that the number goes to a real person. I'll bet the reason they stop isn't because you are doing this, but they just stop that campaign.

    Liz
    3 years ago

    Is there a hack to make the "silence unknown callers" a toggle? (It should be an option for on/off in Control Center IMHO). I frequently forget to turn it off when I am working with vendors or help desks or banks and they have to call me back. Often the call back is from a different number and it goes right to Vmail. ARGH. Then I have to call back and am on hold etc.

    3 years ago

    Liz: No, no shortcut for that. But perhaps try using Do No Disturb instead for those situations.

    Tom Gonser
    3 years ago

    You've referenced the AT&T free spam block app, which I have. It's not listed in the app library. If I wanted to access it to make changes, where is it found?

    3 years ago

    Tom: Shows up when I look for it. It is called "Call Protect."

    Miles Motture
    3 years ago

    Thank you Gary. I forgot about the side button to stop the ringing. Any idea if that also works for FaceTime on an iPad? I am often on the iPad and have the calls come through there.

    3 years ago

    Miles: I think so. Try it next time and report back.

    Sandra Reynolds
    3 years ago

    In the Nomorobo app under Call Blocking and Identification, you refer to Hiya—1 of 2, Hiya—2 of 3, and Hiya—3 of 3 as "these." What are they? I am a beginner, having just bought my first smartphone. Thank you.

    3 years ago

    Sandra: That's showing the Settings app, in Phone, Call Blocking & Identification. Nomorobo and Hiya are two apps that block some calls. On that screen you have to turn them on for them to work once you install the app. I show Nomorobo as off, and the three switches for Hiya as on.

    Bob Metzger
    3 years ago

    Great video & I learned quite a bit. I find all your videos very useful. Thank you!

    Charlotte Odom
    3 years ago

    Thank you so much. This video was very helpful for me!!!

    Jason Gold
    3 years ago

    Outstanding segment Gary. Dozens of your short videos have been useful and valuable. This may be one of the very best!

    Miles Motture
    3 years ago

    Just tried it and can confirm the side button also works for FaceTime on an iPad! Thank you again for your great work.

    Ellen Lerner
    3 years ago

    Whether I do not answer a call at all ( which is most of the time) or whether or not I pick it up and hang up, I believe the caller (often a computer) still knows I am real b/c it rings and then voicemail kicks in. I use YOUMAIL on my cell and that does a good job of picking up calls I do not answer, transcribing message and can block them. I use my home no. most of time-not cell- when giving out phone no. Still get more than I want on cell. I don't think this is ever going away. :(

    Douglas Mattingly
    3 years ago

    I don't know why or how I got it, but on almost any call with an area code other than mine, I get a message that tells me it is likely spam. Do you know anything about this?

    3 years ago

    Douglas: You probably have one of the apps installed that I mentioned or your mobile provider is doing that for you.

    Jim Terrinoni
    3 years ago

    Good job, Gary. THANK YOU. Complete, clear and concise - all the elements of excellent communications. This served to reinforce what I have been doing and prevent me from “overkill” by doing needless more. Remember time is the most precious gift, you can’t get back time.

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