iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To reduce interruptions from spam and other unfamiliar numbers, open Settings > Apps > Phone and choose how the iPhone handles unknown callers. Ask Reason for Calling screens them before your phone rings; Silence sends them to voicemail without ringing. You can also turn on separate Unknown Callers and Spam filters, but neither catches every unwanted call.
Choose how unknown callers reach you
Before changing the setting, save important numbers—such as family, your child’s school, and medical offices—to Contacts. That reduces the chance that a legitimate caller you expect will be treated as unknown.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Phone.
- Find the setting for screening unknown callers and select the option that fits how you want calls handled.
| Option | What happens | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Never | Calls from unsaved numbers ring normally. | Receiving unfamiliar calls immediately. |
| Ask Reason for Calling | The iPhone asks an unknown caller for more information before it rings. | Screening unfamiliar callers while retaining a chance to hear why they are calling. |
| Silence | Unknown calls do not ring and are sent to voicemail. | Reducing interruptions most aggressively, provided you are willing to check voicemail and filtered calls. |
Apple’s support instructions describe these choices; labels and menu locations can vary with software version and region. See Apple’s guide to managing unknown callers and its iPhone call-screening instructions.
Turn on the separate call filters
Screening controls whether unknown calls ring. Filters organize or act on calls separately, so they are not interchangeable.
#1 Best Overall
- Wide Compatibility: The ALAFLY phone access blocker works with both iOS and Android devices. Compatible with iPhone 18/17/16/15/14/13/12 series, Samsung Galaxy S26/S25/S24/S23/S22/S21 series and other Android phones. Whether it’s your phone, your partner’s phone, or your child’s device — can support multiple users without platform limitations or extra purchases (Note: Not compatible with the Google Pixel series)
- Simple & Reliable Control: Open the companion app, select your blocked apps and websites once, and tap to start a focus session. Need to end early? Tap again. Emergency access is always available when needed. The module remembers your settings so sessions can start quickly and consistently. As simple and reliable as a light switch
- Smart App Control for Focus & Productivity: No subscription required—includes lifetime access to the ALAFLY Tap app with easy setup so you can focus on what matters most.Create custom modes for work, study, and family time to match different parts of your day.Track your focus time with built-in insights, including total usage and daily averages, helping you build better digital habits
- Regain Control of Your Screen Time:This ALAFLY phone physical access blocker adds real-world friction that supports more consistent focus habits over time. The simple act of tapping becomes a focus ritual that helps signal your brain it’s time to concentrate. When your phone is locked, it stays locked through your focus session
- Deep Focus in Every Space: Compact and portable, dual magnetic and lanyard design keeps it always within reach—clip it to your keys or bag, sticks to the fridge with a magnet for easy access anytime.Stay focused at your desk, more productive at work or study, and more present during family time，and a calmer bedtime routine with fewer digital distractions.One small module helps support distraction-free environments across your daily life
Unknown Callers
Turn on Unknown Callers in Phone settings if you want missed calls and voicemails from numbers not saved in Contacts collected in their own list. This is an organizational filter; it does not identify spam by itself.
Spam
Turn on the Spam filter if it appears. It relies on your carrier identifying a call as potential spam or fraud. Apple says calls identified this way are silenced, sent to voicemail, and moved to the Spam list. Carrier identification and the filter’s availability vary, so some spam calls may still get through.
Rank #2
- This is the latest version Telephone Call Blocker with hidden or unavailable call numbers can be blocked. And there is no fees to use it; Please keep the manual for future use.
- Block up to 4000 individual phone numbers, including incoming and outgoing calls , prefixes and up to 10 digit area codes.
- One-touch to Block: Locate a number and then press Block to add it to the blacklist.Better set the call blocker in series ( one end of it connected to your phone and another end to the PSTN telephone line); Though it can also be set up parallel, but not compatible with some phone systems.
- Permanent storage of the numbers in the blacklist even power is off or telephone line is plugged out.
- Battery free: It is line powered, no need battery. And it works with almost all single line telephones. If you find some numbers are blocked but you never mean to, then press Block and check your blacklist, then delete those numbers which like area codes or prefix numbers.
Apple explains both filters in its call-screening and blocking guide.
Review calls that were filtered
Open the Phone app and find the call-history view. On iOS 26 and later, Unified layout places the call-history filter under Calls; in Classic layout, look under Recents. Choose Unknown Callers or Spam if those filters are available. Some filters depend on your network provider. For layout details, see Apple’s Unified layout guide.
Rank #3
- How it Works: SPAM identified calls are instantly blocked automatically. Preferred Calls Ring through like normal with Caller ID displayed. Your phones connected to the TEL port Won't Ring on Blocked Calls. Create your own Invited or Allowed Family (White List) and block All other callers. Use the Dual Block Buttons to Block a NAME or NUMBER Displayed. Remote Block a Call when Dialing * 2 # through your telephone handset.
- The Patented ProSeries 3 Call Blocker from Digitone is an Easy Installation and is Simple to Use. No need to rush over and tap a red button when the ProSeries has already blocked a known unwanted SPAM, Out of Area, Private, Anonymous, 800 Service, ROBO?, Dashes, "Quotes" or V123+ call. Use Call History to select Any Caller to Block by (Double Tap) Name or Number. Block any NAME like: Unavailable, Unknown, SCAM RISK, City + State, Potential Scam, Wireless Caller. Block ANY call without answering, as they call in with either RED button.
- Feel confident that the ProSeries already Blocks Millions of Known Unwanted Numbers and Fake Names. No need to change your existing phones or service. Works with Any Analog Corded, Cordless Phone or Fax System on any telephone service. Large Back-Lighted Display. Got questions? Call the number on the front screen of the ProSeries 3.
- Works with all USA phone companies: AT&T, Cox, Spectrum, CenturyLink, Cable Modems, DSL, FIOS, or Digital Services from VoIP Telcos like [V] from Verizon, Ooma Telo, Ooma Basic, Vonage, Magic Jack etc. Also, works in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, European Union (ETSI), Australia, Singapore and others with North American standardized phone lines.
- Allow any blocked caller to ring through like normal with the Green Invite Button. Double Tap the Green Button to add VIP callers shown in Call History. Note: Caller ID Name and Number Service from your phone company is required for this model to work automatically.
Check these lists and voicemail after enabling Silence. If a legitimate caller appears, save the number to Contacts or mark it as known when that option is available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know the limitations before relying on screening
- Call screening does not work while roaming.
- After you call emergency services, screening is turned off for 24 hours.
- Screening may incur standard call and data rates.
- On software older than iOS 17, screening requires Live Voicemail. Live Voicemail is not available in every location.
Apple documents these conditions in its unknown-caller guidance. Its voicemail setup guide also describes Live Voicemail availability and carrier-identified spam-call handling.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- [ IMPORTANT NOTE 1 ] This product is a call blocker only and does not have a telephone or answering machine function. No phone or answering machine is included in the package. Before purchasing, please make sure that your telephone line has Caller ID service and that it is an ANALOG line. the ENF860 requires Caller ID service from your telephone line provider to work and is for analog lines only ! No mains power required, just plug in the phone line to use
- [ IMPORTANT NOTE 2 ] In BLOCK mode, there will STILL BE some new variant numbers bypassing the database making the phone ring, you NEED to manually set up to block them OR switch to FAMILY mode to let only the numbers in FAMILY LIST through. Please refer to the manual for the CORRECT SETTINGS.
- Dual mode;In BLOCK mode you can block callers by Numbers and Names; In FAMILY mode all callers outside the FAMILY LIST are blocked;The two modes can be switched at any time as needed and NO data will be lost after switching modes.
- Preloaded with a large number of spam numbers that have been the subject of repeated complaints ; Users can also manually add 4000+ numbers to the NUMBER LIST to build their own database ; Add 256 NAMES to block calls by name.
- Blocks INTERNATIONAL, PRIVATE/WITHHELD, and Out of Area numbers by default; users can SET to block the entire area code or changing numbers starting with a fixed number, such as 00, 800, 855, 999, 7324, 33626, 134567, etc.
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.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
