Skip to main content

    Silence Unknown Callers

    The single best phone setting for seniors.

    What it does

    Phone rings ONLY for numbers in your contacts. Unknown callers go straight to voicemail. Real people (doctors, family, businesses you've called) leave a message. Robocallers don't.

    iPhone

    1. Settings.
    2. Apps → Phone (or just "Phone" on older iOS).
    3. Scroll down to "Silence Unknown Callers".
    4. Toggle ON.
    5. That's it. Done.

    Bonus: turn on "Live Voicemail" — iPhone shows you the voicemail being left in real time. You can pick up if it's real.

    Add important numbers to contacts

    Once silencing is on, anyone NOT in contacts goes to voicemail. Add:

    • Doctor's office.
    • Pharmacy.
    • Bank.
    • Family on both sides.
    • Plumber, handyman, lawn service.
    • Insurance.

    Add the National Do Not Call list

    Free. Stops most legitimate telemarketers. Doesn't stop scammers, but layers help.

    1. Call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.
    2. Or visit donotcall.gov.
    3. Takes 30 days. Permanent.

    Phone bliss

    Most people who turn this on say it's the best phone setting they ever changed. Phone goes from ringing 10 times a day to 2-3. Stress level drops. You only hear the people you actually want to hear from.

    Silence Unknown Callers | TekSure