Receiving unwanted phone calls can be irritating, especially if they are from unknown numbers. Sometimes these calls might be from telemarketers or fraudsters. Whether you are receiving calls from someone you don’t want to talk to or if you are being disturbed by spam callers, you might want to know how to block and unknown caller on iPhone. Fortunately, Apple’s iOS provides several ways to block calls. In this article, we are going to discuss how to block and unknown caller on iPhone using different methods.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Block Unknown Callers on iPhone
There are several reasons why you might want to block unknown callers on your iPhone. Some of them are listed below:
To avoid phone scams:
Phone scams are on the rise, and one of the most popular is where a scammer will call pretending to be from a legitimate company or organization. They usually try to get your personal information or rip you off by asking you to pay for a service that is not legitimate.
To stop unwanted spam calls:
Another reason why you might want to block unknown callers is to prevent unwanted spam callers. Spam calls are usually automated and can be very persistent. They sometimes call repeatedly, and you might not want to be disturbed by such calls.
To protect your privacy:
Blocking unknown callers can also help protect your privacy. Sometimes you might get calls from people you don’t want to talk to, whether they are private individuals or companies that somehow got hold of your number. If this happens, you may want to block the caller to prevent them from reaching you again.
Method 1: Block Calls From Recent Call List
This is one of the easiest ways to block someone on your iPhone. Follow the simple steps below:
1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on "Recents", which is at the bottom of the screen.
3. Find the number you want to block and tap on it.
4. Tap on the "i" icon next to the number.
5. Scroll down and tap on "Block this Caller".
6. A popup will appear asking for confirmation, tap on "Block Contact".
Pros:
– This method is quick and easy.
– You can easily find the number you want to block from your recent calls.
– You don’t need to know the number to block it.
Cons:
– This method is not suitable for blocking multiple callers.
– You can only block numbers that have called you recently.
Method 2: Block Calls From Contacts
If you want to block a number that is saved in your contacts, you can do so using this method. Here’s how:
1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on "Contacts", which is at the bottom of the screen.
3. Find the contact you want to block and tap on it.
4. Tap on the "i" icon next to the contact.
5. Scroll down and tap on "Block this Caller".
6. A popup will appear asking for confirmation, tap on "Block Contact".
Pros:
– You can easily block calls from specific contacts.
– You don’t need to know the number to block it.
Cons:
– You can only block numbers that are saved as contacts.
Method 3: Block Calls from Messages
You can also block a number that has sent you spam messages using this method. Here’s how:
1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.
2. Find the message from the number you want to block and tap on it.
3. Tap on the "i" icon in the upper-right corner of the screen.
4. Tap on the phone number or name at the top of the screen.
5. Scroll down and tap "Block this Caller".
6. A popup will appear asking for confirmation, tap on "Block Contact".
Pros:
– You can easily block numbers that have sent you spam messages.
– You don’t need to know the number to block it.
Cons:
– You can only block numbers that have previously sent you messages.
Method 4: Block Calls from Settings
You can block a number on your iPhone by going to the settings. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on "Phone".
3. Tap on "Blocked Contacts".
4. Tap on "Add New".
5. Type in the number you want to block and tap "Done".
Pros:
– You can easily block any number using this method.
– This method is suitable for blocking multiple callers.
Cons:
– You need to know the number you want to block.
What to Do If You Can’t Block Unknown Callers on iPhone
If you are unable to block unknown callers on your iPhone, you can try the following fixes:
1. Update your iOS: Make sure your iOS is up to date. Apple often provides security updates that can prevent spam and scam callers from reaching you.
2. Use a third-party app: There are several third-party apps that can help block unknown callers. Some of them are Truecaller, Hiya, and Mr. Number.
3. Enable Silence Unknown Callers: You can enable this feature on your iPhone to silence all calls from unknown numbers. Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers.
Bonus Tips
1. Mark a call as spam: If you receive a call from a spammer, you can mark it as spam. Tap on Recent calls > i icon next to the number > Mark as Spam. This will help Apple improve its spam filtering system.
2. Do not call back unknown numbers: If you receive a missed call from an unknown number, do not call it back. It could be a premium rate number, and you could end up paying a lot of money for the call.
3. Save trusted numbers: To prevent important calls from getting blocked, make sure you save trusted numbers as contacts.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I block unknown numbers that have not yet called me?
A: No, unfortunately, you can only block numbers that have called or messaged you before.
Q2: Can I unblock a number after I have blocked it?
A: Yes, you can unblock a number by going to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. Swipe left on the number you want to unblock and tap "Unblock".
Q3: Can I use these methods to block international numbers?
A: Yes, you can use these methods to block any number, including international numbers.
Q4: Will the caller know that I have blocked them?
A: No, the caller will not know that you have blocked them. However, they may realize that you are not picking up their calls.
Q5: Will blocked numbers still be able to leave voicemails?
A: Yes, blocked numbers can still leave voicemails, but you won’t receive any notifications for them.
Final Thoughts
Blocking unknown callers on your iPhone is an important step in protecting your privacy and avoiding spam calls. Now that you know several methods to block unknown callers, you can choose the one that works best for you. Remember to regularly update your iOS and stay vigilant against phone scams.