iPhone Call Screening is for unknown or unsaved numbers, not callers already saved in your Contacts. With Ask Reason for Calling, an unknown caller is asked for more information before your iPhone rings; with Silence, the call is silenced and sent to voicemail. Blocking a number and filing unknown calls in a separate list are separate features.
How to set Call Screening on iPhone
On the current iOS 27 edition of Apple’s iPhone guide, open Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers. Choose one of the three options:
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| Setting | What happens to an unknown caller |
|---|---|
| Never | The call rings normally. |
| Ask Reason for Calling | The iPhone asks the caller for more information before it rings. Apple’s description is that unknown callers “will be asked for more information before iPhone rings.” |
| Silence | The call is silenced and sent to voicemail. |
See Apple’s iPhone guide to screening and blocking calls. Menu names and availability can differ on older iOS versions.
Does Call Screening affect saved contacts?
No: the screening choices apply to unknown or unsaved numbers. A caller whose number is saved in Contacts is treated as known, so save important callers—such as a doctor’s office or school—and check that the expected number is the one in the contact entry. Apple’s instructions for screening unknown callers describe the feature as handling unsaved numbers.
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Do screened calls go to voicemail?
Ask Reason for Calling
The caller is asked to provide more information before the iPhone rings. This is different from immediately silencing the call; the setting is intended to let you decide whether to answer after the caller responds.
Silence
The iPhone does not ring for the unknown call and sends it to voicemail. If Live Voicemail is available, you can see a real-time transcription while the caller leaves a message. Apple explains this feature in Set up Voicemail on iPhone.
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Voicemail and Live Voicemail availability depends on carrier, country or region, and language. Apple’s Live Voicemail availability and setup information covers those limits; an iPhone may not offer the feature in every combination of service and location.
Is screening the same as blocking a number?
No. Call Screening controls how calls from unknown numbers are handled. Blocking targets a specific phone number or contact. To block or review blocked entries, use Apple’s separate instructions for blocking phone numbers, contacts, and emails. Screening does not itself add a caller to the blocked list, and blocking is not required to silence unknown callers.
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Why are some unknown calls in a separate list?
Unknown Callers filtering is a call-history organization option, not another name for Call Screening. When enabled, missed calls and voicemails from unknown numbers can be moved out of the ordinary call history into the Unknown Callers list. You can mark a caller as known if you want future calls filed with your regular calls. Apple’s unknown-caller instructions distinguish this filtering from choosing whether unknown calls ring, prompt, or are silenced.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When can Call Screening behave differently?
Apple says calls are not screened while the iPhone is roaming. Screening also turns off for 24 hours after you call emergency services. Standard calling and data charges may apply. These exceptions are described in Apple’s guidance on screening unknown callers.
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The instructions above reflect Apple’s current iOS 27 guide. Older software may use different menu labels or have different requirements; Apple notes that on versions before iOS 17, Live Voicemail was required to use call screening. Carrier, regional, and language support can also affect voicemail features.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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