How to Stop Spam Calls on iPhone
Spam calls have become a common nuisance in the daily routine of many iPhone users, disrupting important business calls and interrupting precious family time. Spam calls can be more than just an annoyance, often leading to identity theft or fraud. The good news is that there are plenty of ways for iPhone users to block spam calls from cluttering up their call log and affecting their daily routine. This comprehensive guide will walk users through the various methods of blocking spam calls on iPhone and how to use them effectively.
Third-party Apps
One of the most convenient ways to block spam calls on iPhone is by taking advantage of third-party apps available on the App Store. There is a multitude of apps available that provide various features for blocking spam calls. Below are some of the most popular third-party apps:
Truecaller: Truecaller provides call identification and blocking of unwanted calls. It uses a crowd-sourced directory to identify and block spammers and telemarketers. The app works well with iOS and is effortless to use.
Hiya: Hiya is another excellent app that is available on the App Store. It identifies incoming phone calls and SMS messages and checks them against its extensive database of known spammers. The app provides custom call-blocking options, such as blocking calls from specific area codes or countries. It also distinguishes between personal and business calls and offers phone number lookup as an added feature.
Nomorobo: Nomorobo blocks telemarketers and robocalls effectively by verifying incoming calls against its massive database of known spammers. The app also provides live caller ID and offers a feature to filter out spam SMS messages. Nomorobo is among the top-rated spam call blocking apps available on the App Store.
Effective Settings
Apple has introduced some fantastic features on the iOS that can help block spam calls. Below are some settings that iPhone users can enable to block spam calls:
Silence Unknown Callers: This feature is an excellent way to eliminate unwanted spam calls on iPhone. When enabled, calls from unknown or unrecognized callers will be silenced and sent straight to voicemail. Users will receive a notification for any missed calls. To enable this feature, go to Settings > Phone, and toggle the “Silence Unknown Callers” switch.
Block Calls from Specific Numbers: The iOS provides users with an option to block specific numbers from calling or sending SMS messages. To do this, go to Settings > Phone and select “Blocked Contacts.” From there, users can add phone numbers to the blocked list, which will automatically reject incoming calls and messages from those numbers.
Do Not Disturb Feature
The Do Not Disturb feature is an excellent way for iPhone users to block unwanted calls and messages while still allowing important calls to come through. Below are some ways to customize the Do Not Disturb feature:
Schedule: Users can schedule the Do Not Disturb feature to turn on automatically during specific times, such as bedtime, meetings, or driving hours. To do this, go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and select the schedule option.
Contacts Only: This option silences all incoming calls, except for calls from important contacts. This feature ensures that users never miss important calls from family, friends, or colleagues. To enable Contacts Only mode, go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and toggle the “Allow Calls From” switch.
Call Blocking Features
Iphone users can also use call blocking features to filter out spam calls proactively. Below are some of the ways to use these features:
Report Junk: Apple provides an option to report spam calls directly through the Phone app. When a user receives a spam call, they can tap the “i” icon next to the call in the call log and select “Report Junk.” This feature notifies Apple of the spam call and helps the tech giant update its database of known spammers.
Blacklist: Users can also set up a blacklist of numbers that they do not want to receive phone calls from. To do this, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and add the desired phone numbers. This feature is an excellent way to avoid future calls from unwanted telemarketers or robocalls.
Tips for Avoiding Spam Calls
While the features and the third-party apps mentioned above can help block spam calls, it’s essential to take additional precautions to avoid them altogether. Below are some tips to help avoid receiving spam calls:
Avoid Picking Up: If a user doesn’t recognize an incoming call, it’s best to let it go to voicemail. This approach ensures that the user doesn’t fall for scam calls disguised as offers or opportunities.
Opt-Out: Users can opt-out of unsolicited calls or mail lists by contacting the relevant institutions and requesting to be removed from their lists.
Safeguard Personal Data: It’s essential always to be careful with personal data and never to share sensitive information with suspicious callers. Apple advises users to be careful when publishing phone numbers or email addresses on public websites.
Conclusion
Spam calls can be incredibly annoying and can interrupt a user’s daily routine. However, several ways to block spam calls on iPhone can be used. Using third-party apps such as Truecaller and Hiya can help users block spam calls effectively. iPhone’s Do Not Disturb feature is an excellent way to block unwanted calls while still allowing important calls to come through. Customizing call-blocking features and taking precautions to avoid spam calls altogether can help in dealing with this common nuisance. It’s essential to take advantage of these features and tips to keep spam calls from cluttering up a user’s call log and affecting their daily routine.