How to Block Spam and Robocalls on iPhone

Stop unwanted calls before they reach you — iPhone has built-in spam detection, and apps like Hiya or Robokiller can block nearly all robocalls automatically.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Turn on Silence Unknown Callers
2.Enable your carrier's free spam filter
3.Register with the Do Not Call Registry
4.Download Hiya for free spam identification
5.Consider Robokiller for aggressive blocking

Turn on Silence Unknown Callers

~19s

Go to SettingsPhoneSilence Unknown Callers → turn it on. Calls from unknown numbers go straight to voicemail. You will still see them in your missed calls.

Quick Tip

If you are expecting a call from a new number (a doctor's office, a plumber), turn this off temporarily, then turn it back on after.

Enable your carrier's free spam filter

~15s

Call your carrier (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, or others) and ask to activate their spam call protection. AT&T: enable Active Armor / Call Protect in My AT&T app. T-Mobile: enable Scam Shield at T-Mobile.com. Verizon: enable Call Filter free in the My Verizon app.

Register with the Do Not Call Registry

~19s

Go to DoNotCall.gov and click "Register Your Phone." Enter your phone number and email address. You will receive a confirmation email — click the link to complete registration.

Warning

The Do Not Call Registry stops legitimate companies but not scammers. Do not rely on it alone — use the phone settings above as your primary defense.

Download Hiya for free spam identification

~15s

Search "Hiya" in the App Store. Download the free app and follow the setup prompts. It will ask to integrate with your Phone app. Allow this so it can identify incoming calls.

Consider Robokiller for aggressive blocking

~15s

If spam calls remain frequent, download Robokiller from the App Store. It offers a 7-day free trial. During setup, enable the Call Blocking & ID extension in SettingsPhoneCall Blocking & Identification.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Block Spam and Robocalls on iPhone

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Spam calls, robocalls, and phone scams are a major problem in the US, with billions of unwanted calls made every year. Older adults are disproportionately targeted. Fortunately, several tools can dramatically reduce these calls.

iPhone's built-in Silence Unknown Callers feature

sends any call from a number not in your contacts, emails, or recent calls straight to voicemail. You can still call them back from your missed calls list. This is the most aggressive option and works well if you only want calls from people you know.

Carrier-provided spam blocking

: Most US carriers now include basic spam filtering at no extra charge. AT&T's Call Protect, T-Mobile's Scam Shield, and Verizon's Call Filter all identify likely spam calls and label them before your phone rings (showing "Spam Risk" or "Scam Likely").

Hiya

is a free app that identifies and blocks known spam numbers. It shows "Spam" labels on incoming calls without blocking them automatically in the free version — you can choose whether to answer or decline.

Robokiller

is a paid app (about $4.99/month) that claims to block over 99% of robocalls. It uses an audio fingerprint database and active community reporting. It also has a feature that answers robocalls with prerecorded "answer bots" that waste the caller's time.