How to stop spam calls on iPhone
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Phone. Set Screen Unknown Callers to Ask Reason for Calling (iOS 26 Call Screening) or Silence, and under Call Filtering turn on Spam. Then turn on your phone company’s free filter and add your number to the Do Not Call Registry.
Some spam still gets through, because a scammer can show any number. Vicem is an AI on its own number that answers the calls you miss and turns scam callers away.
Updated Checked on October 13, 2026
Which iPhone settings stop spam calls?
- Open Settings, tap Apps, then tap Phone.Apple, iPhone User Guide: Screen and block calls on iPhone
- Tap Screen Unknown Callers and choose Ask Reason for Calling or Silence. Ask Reason for Calling is Call Screening: the caller is asked why they’re calling before your iPhone rings. Silence sends calls from unsaved numbers to voicemail without ringing.Apple, iPhone User Guide: Screen and block calls on iPhoneApple support, Manage unknown callers on iPhone (September 14, 2026)
- Under Call Filtering, turn on Spam: calls your phone company flags as potential spam or fraud are silenced, sent to voicemail and moved to a Spam list.Apple, iPhone User Guide: Screen and block calls on iPhone
- Turn on Unknown Callers there too: calls from numbers you haven’t saved move out of Recents into their own list.Apple, iPhone User Guide: Screen and block calls on iPhone
- Tap Call Blocking & Identification and turn on Business Call Identification, so business callers show their name.Apple, iPhone User Guide: Screen and block calls on iPhone
- To block one number: in Phone, tap Recents, tap the number, scroll down and tap Block Caller.Apple support, Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone (May 29, 2026)
What happened to Silence Unknown Callers?
- In iOS 26 it’s one of three choices under Screen Unknown Callers: Never, Ask Reason for Calling and Silence.Apple support, Manage unknown callers on iPhone (September 14, 2026)
- Apple: Call Screening “builds on Live Voicemail” and gathers information from the caller so you can decide whether to pick up.Apple Newsroom, iOS 26 (June 9, 2025)
- With Live Voicemail on, calls your phone company flags as spam skip it and are declined at once.Apple, iPhone User Guide: set up voicemail
- Apple notes that standard calling and data rates may apply with call screening.Apple support, Manage unknown callers on iPhone (September 14, 2026)
What does my phone company offer?
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield blocks scam calls and robocalls.FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
- AT&T: ActiveArmor, free with every AT&T wireless plan. AT&T says it may not catch every threat and may block calls you want.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- Verizon: Call Filter, free on standard monthly and prepaid plans. It sends high-risk spam calls to voicemail.Verizon, Call Filter FAQs
- The FCC: depending on your phone company, a blocked call may go to voicemail, ring once, or give you “no notice at all.”FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
Does the Do Not Call Registry help?
It stops sales calls from companies that follow the law. It doesn’t stop scammers.
- Add your number free at DoNotCall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
- Your number shows up the next day; sales calls can take up to 31 days to stop. The registration never expires.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
- Political calls, charities, debt collectors, surveys and companies you’ve recently done business with may still call.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
- The FTC: being on the registry “won’t stop calls from scammers making illegal calls.”FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
What still gets through?
- Roaming: “If you’re roaming, phone calls are not screened, regardless of settings.”Apple support, Manage unknown callers on iPhone (September 14, 2026)
- Phone off or out of range: the call goes to your phone company’s voicemail.Apple, iPhone User Guide: set up voicemail
- After you call emergency services, call screening turns off for 24 hours.Apple support, Manage unknown callers on iPhone (September 14, 2026)
- Faked numbers: the FTC says “Scammers can make any name or number show up on your caller ID,” so a scam call from a clean or local-looking number still rings.FTC, Phone Scams
- Silence silences real callers too: a courier, a new doctor or a school goes to voicemail with everyone else.
Where does Vicem fit?
Vicem is an AI with its own number. It answers the calls you miss, says it’s an AI, and turns scam callers away.
- Junk calls and texts are handled without interrupting you.
- Spam calls it turns away never count against your minutes.
- Works when your phone is off.
- Set Screen Unknown Callers to Silence and turn off Live Voicemail, so the calls your iPhone silences reach Vicem.
Can an AI wait on hold for you?
Start free trialWhat do people ask?
How do I stop spam calls on my iPhone for free?
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Phone. Set Screen Unknown Callers to Ask Reason for Calling or Silence, turn on Spam under Call Filtering, and turn on your phone company’s free filter.
Does iPhone have a built-in spam call blocker?
Yes. In Settings, Apps, Phone, Call Filtering, turn on Spam: calls your phone company flags as potential spam or fraud are silenced and sent to voicemail.
Is Silence Unknown Callers still on iPhone?
Yes. In iOS 26 it’s the Silence choice under Screen Unknown Callers.
Will the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?
No. The FTC says it won’t stop scammers making illegal calls. It stops sales calls from companies that follow the law, so it still cuts some of the noise.
Can I use Call Screening with Vicem?
Yes. Set Screen Unknown Callers to Silence and turn off Live Voicemail, so the calls your iPhone silences reach Vicem. Ask Reason for Calling answers on the iPhone first, so those calls never reach Vicem.