Apple urges iPhone users to change simple setting change to stop spam calls

If you're tired of receiving spam calls, there's an easy way to reduce them - provided you have an iPhone running iOS 13 or later. You have a couple of options if you want to do this - you can use the built-in Silence Unknown Callers feature or install a trusted third-party spam detection app.

With iOS 13 or later, you can block calls from unknown numbers, helping you avoid the hassle of looking up unfamiliar callers - and reducing your risk of falling for scams.

It’s important to remember that scams don’t just target older people, with young people increasingly at risk as fraud with tactics become more sophisticated. So, how does it work? Here's what you need to do to put an end to spam calls.

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What is Apple's Silence Unknown Callers feature?

As explained by Apple Support UK, using the Silence Unknown Callers feature simply blocks phone numbers that you've never been in contact with previously, it also blocks numbers that are not part of your contacts. It says: "If you’ve previously texted someone using their phone number or if a person has shared their phone number with you in an email, a phone call from that number will go through."

Calls from unknown numbers will be silenced, sent to voicemail and listed in your recent calls. Incoming calls will ring as usual if the number is in your contacts, recent calls, or suggested by Siri based on phone numbers found in your emails or text messages.

"If you've made an emergency call, Silence Unknown Callers will be temporarily disabled for the next 24 hours to allow your iPhone to be reached", Apple confirms.

Apple issues an important reminder urging people that before turning on Silence Unknown Callers, you need to ensure that all important numbers are saved in your contacts otherwise, you could miss a call you actually want to answer. While the call will still be sent to voicemail and appear in your recent calls list, you won’t receive a notification when it rings, it explains.

How to turn on Silence Unknown Callers

Go to Settings > Apps > Phone

Scroll down to Calls

Tap Silence Unknown Callers

Tap to turn on the feature

How to use a spam call detection app

Another option is to set up a spam call detection app. Apple suggest that you:

Go to the App Store and download an app that detects and blocks spam phone calls. You can download and install multiple apps with this feature from different app developers.

Go to Settings > Apps > Phone.

Tap Call Blocking & Identification.

Under Call Identification Apps, turn the app on or off. You can also reorder the apps based on priority. Just tap Edit and then drag the apps in the order you want them.

When a call comes in, your device compares the number to lists of known spam numbers from any third-party spam detection apps you’ve installed. If there’s a match, iOS will display a label like "Spam" or "Telemarketing" which is based on the app’s settings.

Certain apps may automatically block calls they identify as spam. According to Apple, incoming call data is never shared with third-party developers. If you identify a number as spam yourself, you can also block it manually and these numbers will appear in your Blocked Contacts list too.