Silence Unknown Callers sends many unsaved numbers quietly to voicemail instead of ringing your iPhone. It is broader than blocking one number at a time and can cut spam calls, but it can also silence legitimate first-time callers.
The feature is available on iOS 13 or later.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if spam or robocalls are constantly ringing your iPhone and you would rather review them later in Recents or Voicemail.
Turn On Silence Unknown Callers
- Open Settings.
- Tap Phone.
- Tap Silence Unknown Callers.
- Turn the switch on.
Calls from numbers not in Contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Siri Suggestions are silenced. They can still appear in Recents and go to voicemail.
Check Silenced Calls
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap Recents to review silenced calls.
- Open Voicemail to listen if the caller left a message.
- Add legitimate callers to Contacts so they ring normally in the future.
Before You Rely on It
Allowed Calls
Saved contacts, recent numbers, Siri-suggested numbers, and emergency calls are not treated the same as random unknown calls.
You May Miss Important Calls
Delivery drivers, doctor offices, job interviewers, and businesses often call from numbers you do not have saved. Turn the feature off temporarily if expecting those calls.
Call Filtering Apps
If you want spam labeling instead of silencing all unknown callers, check Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification and use a trusted call-filtering app.
Turn It Off
Return to the same Phone setting and disable the switch when you want unsaved numbers to ring normally again.
Sources
- Apple Support: Silence unknown callers on iPhone
- Apple Support: Block phone numbers and contacts on iPhone
- Apple Support: Set up call filtering apps on iPhone