How to Use Call Screening to Block Spam and Unknown Calls on Your iPhone

Enable Call Identification & Blocking Tools Open Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification and enable options like ‘Business Call Identification’ or supported caller-ID apps. These tools help your iPhone automatically identify incoming calls and mark them as business or potentially spam. This foundational step ensures you have the proper infrastructure to detect and block unwanted calls proactively. 

Screen or Silence Calls from Unsaved Numbers In Settings > Phone, choose ‘Screen Unknown Callers’ and select ‘Ask Reason for Calling’ or ‘Silence’. With ‘Ask Reason’, your iPhone intercepts unsaved-number calls, prompts the caller for identity reason, and only rings you if approved. With ‘Silence’, those calls go straight to voicemail and appear in Recents without disturbing you. 

Filter Unknown and Spam Calls Automatically Within Settings > Phone, turn on the filters labelled ‘Unknown Callers’ and ‘Spam’. This moves unsaved-number calls into an ‘Unknown Callers’ list and silences calls identified by your carrier as spam/fraud (sending them to voicemail and the Spam list). It deepens automation beyond manual blocking. 

Block Specific People or Numbers You Know Are Unwanted Open the Phone app, go to the number or contact you want to block, tap Info, and choose ‘Block this Contact’. This direct block means the number can still leave voicemail, but you won’t be notified of the call. Choose Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts to view or manage these. 

Unblock Contacts When Needed Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts > Edit. Tap Remove to unblock a contact or number. It’s useful if you mistakenly blocked a legitimate caller, or circumstances changed and you want to resume receiving calls from them. Managing the block list keeps your system flexible. 

Review and Act on the Unknown / Spam Call Lists In the Phone app, tap the Filter button (top-right) in Calls/Recents, then view ‘Unknown Callers’ or ‘Spam’. Reviewing these lets you mark a number as known (so future calls ring normally) or confirm a spam label. This review helps refine the automatic filtering system over time. 

Keep Your iOS and Carrier Info Up to Date for Best Protection Call screening features rely on the latest iOS version and carrier-supported spam detection. Older software or unsupported carriers may limit functionality (for instance roaming disables screening). Keeping your iPhone updated ensures you benefit from enhanced filtering and identification tools.

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