Tag: Spam

Filter Unknown Senders on iPhone: Stop Spam Effectively

This post outlines how to block spam text messages on an iPhone by filtering unknown senders. By enabling the “Screen Unknown Senders” feature in the Messages app, users can prevent spam texts from cluttering their inbox. The method allows easy access to messages from unknown numbers without notifications.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
May 19, 2026 – 5 minutes read time

Overview

We are all familiar with spam text messages and calls. But how do you block spam text messages on the iPhone? Here’s how to filter unknown senders on iPhone so you don’t have to block every number. We will also reveal how to find those random text messages after Apple’s Filter Unknown Senders blocks them.

Can you stop spam texts on iPhone? this feature lets the Messages app automatically stop texts from numbers not in your contacts from cluttering up your inbox. This is an easy way to stop spam texts from bothering you without having to block texts on iPhone (which has to be done number by number, an ineffective method for spammers, since spam texts come from a wide variety of different numbers).

Let’s go over how to silence unknown texts on the iPhone, and where you can find these messages. Keep in mind this will not block spam texts on iPhone; it will simply allow you to ignore them more easily and get to them when you have time. Now, here’s how to stop unwanted texts on the iPhone.

Note! With this feature enabled, you will not receive notifications when receiving texts from unknown numbers. You will only see the messages by opening the Unknown Senders folder in the Messages app.

Key Takeaways

  • Stop spam texts from bothering you by sending them to a separate Messages app inbox.
  • While text messages from unknown senders on iPhone will be out of sight, you can still check them easily, just in case the message was important.

System Requirements

This post was performed on an iPhone 17 Pro running iOS 26.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

Filtering Messages

First, open the Messages app. Refer to the image below:

Unwanted Texts 1
Selecting the Messages app

Next, tap the Filter icon. See the image below:

Unwanted Texts 2
Selecting the Filter icon

Now, tap the Manage Filtering option. See the following image:

Unwanted Texts 3
Selecting the Manage Filtering option

Next, this will open the Settings app. Ensure the toggle next to Screen Unknown Senders is enabled. You should also enable Filter Spam to help mitigate spam. Refer to the image below:

Unwanted Texts 4
Enabling Screen Unknown Senders and Filter Spam toggles

Now, if you want to see texts from unknown numbers, go back to the Messages app and tap the Filter icon again. See the image below:

Unwanted Texts 2
Selecting the Filter icon

Next, tap the Unknown Senders option. See the following imag:

Unwanted Texts 6
Selecting the Unknown Senders option

Now, this is where you will find all of your texts from unknown numbers. You can also tap Spam to view your spam messages. To get back to your messages, tap the Filter icon once more. Refer to the image below:

Unwanted texts 7
Selecting the Filter icon

Next, tap the Messages option. See the image below:

Unwanted Texts 8
Selecting the Messages option

Summary

That’s how to stop spam texts on the iPhone! Now you can choose to open up your Messages app and only see messages from people you know. Plus, you can still review Unknown Senders and Spam when you feel like it. If your iPhone is on iOS 18 or an earlier version, the Screen Unknown Senders setting will be called Filter Unknown Senders, but the feature works mostly the same way. On earlier versions of iOS, you will see a Filters button in the Messages app where you can find Unknown Senders and Recently Deleted messages.

Disclaimer

Technology is constantly evolving, and smartphone and desktop tech rarely remains static. Therefore, the information in this post is only accurate as of the date it was written. Blog posts that are older than six months may contain instructions that are no longer compatible with your device or operating system. We hope that the content from previous posts continues to function as intended. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life, where technology works for you.

Quote For the Day

Technology… the knack of so arranging the world that we don’t have to experience it.

– Max Frisch

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Author’s ebook

Author’s eBook

The author’s Vietnam eBook, “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath,” is available on Kindle devices and the Kindle App for desktop, laptop, and smartphone. The apps are free.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath

Stop Spam Calls with iOS 26 Call Screening

iOS 26 introduces Call Screening, a feature designed to reduce spam calls by silencing unknown numbers and asking callers to identify themselves. Users can then decide to accept calls based on transcriptions of the caller’s responses. This feature, currently glitchy, is compatible with iPhone 14 Pro and newer plus iOS 26.

RAYMOND OGLESBY @RaymondOglesby2
November 18, 2025 – 3 minutes read time

Overview

Tired of getting spam calls? Well, the newest version of iOS has a feature that should alleviate the annoyance of spam: Call Screening. This useful tool will silence unknown callers and ask them to give their reason for calling, allowing you to decide whether you want to pick up the phone.

Call Screening on iPhone is an iOS 26 feature that silences incoming calls from unknown numbers and prompts the caller to provide their name and reason for calling. Then, your phone will ring and display a transcript of the caller’s answer, allowing you to easily decide whether or not you want to pick up the call. Let’s explore how to stop spam calls with Call Screening.

Key Takeaways

  • Never worry about spam again since you will always know who is calling.
  • Avoid picking up the phone without knowing the reason for the call.

System Requirements

This tip was performed on an iPhone 14 Pro running iOS 26.1. It does not work with earlier iOS versions.

Click here to learn how to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version.

First, open the Settings app and select Apps.Refer to the image below:

Call Screen 1
Selecting the Apps option

Next, find the Phone app in the list or use the search bar. See the image below:

Call Screen 2
Selecting the Phone app

Now, scroll down to Screen Unknown Callers, and select Ask Reason for Calling. See the following image.

Call Screen 3
Selecting the Ask Reason for Calling option

Next, when you receive a call from an unknown number, you should see a transcription of the caller’s name and reason for calling. Refer to the image below:

Call Screen 4
Call Screening message

Note! This feature has been glitchy, so if you experience problems getting Call Screening to work, you are not alone. We expect the feature to become more stable with future iOS updates.

That’s how to turn on Call Screening on the iPhone! Whether you have phone anxiety or you are just tired of receiving spam calls, this feature is sure to come in handy.

Disclaimer

Technology is constantly evolving, and smartphone and desktop tech rarely remains static. Therefore, the information in this post is only accurate as of the date it was written. Blog posts that are older than six months may contain instructions that are no longer compatible with your device or operating system. We hope that the content from previous posts continues to function as intended. Thank you for reading TechSavvy.Life, where technology works for you.

Quote For the Day

“We’re entering a world where anyone can create, connect, and collaborate—and that’s changing everything.”

 – Reid Hoffman, Co-founder of LinkedIn

(X) Twitter Info

IYou are finished. Please feel free to share this post! One way to share is via Twitter.

Just click the Tweet icon below. This will launch Twitter where you click its icon to post the Tweet.

Checkout TechSavvy.Life for blog posts on smartphones, PCs, and Macs! You may email us at contact@techsavvy.life for comments or questions.

I Would Like to Hear From You

We value your feedback! Was this post helpful? Please share your comments with us. If you have a tech question related to your computer or smart device, feel free to reach out. Just send an email to contact@techsavvy.life, and be sure to include the device, app, and version you are using. To assist us further, you can also attach screenshots related to your inquiry.

Author’s ebook

Author’s eBook

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the “Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath” can be accessed from a Kindle device or the Kindle App for a desktop or smartphone. The apps are free.

The author’s Vietnam eBook on the Battle for Tra Bong Vietnam: Events and Aftermath