Are you tired of receiving unwanted calls on your iPhone? While blocking calls can be a solution, it may not be the best option in every case. Blocking a number prevents you from receiving any calls from that particular number, which may be inconvenient if you need to communicate with the caller in the future. Fortunately, there are several other ways to stop calls on your iPhone without resorting to blocking. These methods allow you to manage incoming calls effectively while maintaining accessibility when necessary.
One simple yet effective method is to use the “Do Not Disturb” feature. When enabled, “Do Not Disturb” silences all incoming calls, including FaceTime and text messages. You can customize this feature to allow calls from certain contacts, such as your favorites or family members. To enable “Do Not Disturb,” simply swipe up from the bottom of your screen and tap the moon icon in the Control Center. You can also set up “Do Not Disturb” to automatically turn on during specific times or locations, providing you with peace and quiet when you need it most.
Another option is to use a call-blocking app. There are several reputable call-blocking apps available in the App Store, such as TrueCaller and RoboKiller. These apps use a combination of databases and user-submitted reports to identify and block spam calls. You can also manually add numbers to the block list within the app. Call-blocking apps offer a more comprehensive solution compared to the native “Do Not Disturb” feature, providing additional features such as call identification, spam filtering, and the ability to block specific types of calls, such as telemarketers or robocalls.
Silence Unknown Callers
Concerned about the barrage of spam and robocalls flooding your iPhone? Silence Unknown Callers is a lifesaver that automatically filters out unwanted calls without the hassle of blocking numbers individually.
To enable this feature:
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on “Phone.”
- Toggle on the “Silence Unknown Callers” switch.
- It identifies calls from numbers not saved in your contacts or recent call history.
- These calls are automatically sent to voicemail.
- You can still access the missed call details and return the call if desired.
- Silence Unknown Callers effectively filters out spam, robocalls, and other unwanted interruptions.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center.
- Tap the moon icon to turn on Do Not Disturb.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap “Do Not Disturb.”
- Tap “Scheduled” and then set the start and end times for DND.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap “Do Not Disturb.”
- Under “Allow Calls From,” select the contacts or groups of contacts that you want to allow calls from during DND. You can also allow calls from repeated callers within a specified time frame.
- Under “Allow Notifications From,” select the apps or categories of apps that you want to allow notifications from during DND. You can also choose to silence all notifications or only allow notifications from specific contacts or apps.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on “Phone.”
- Tap on “Silence Unknown Callers.”
- Toggle the switch to the “On” position.
- Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Recents tab.
- Find the spam number you want to report.
- Tap the “i” button next to the number.
- Scroll down and tap the “Report Junk” button.
- Your carrier will then take action to block the spammer’s number from calling you again.
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Phone.”
- Tap on “Call Blocking & Identification.”
- Tap on “Block Contacts…” to add specific numbers to your blocked list.
- Tap on “Block Anonymous Calls” to block calls from unknown callers.
- Tap on “Block International Calls” to block calls from out-of-area codes.
- Tap on “Block Calls from Non-Contacts” to block calls from numbers that are not in your contacts list.
- Below are some specific examples of how you can use call blocking rules to block specific types of callers:
- Open the Phone app and tap the Contacts tab.
- Tap the contact you want to manage.
- Tap the Info button.
- Tap Notifications.
- Show on Lock Screen
- Play a Sound
- Show in Banner
This setting diverts calls from unknown numbers to your voicemail. If you wish to retrieve the call details or return the call, simply check your Voicemail section.
Here’s how Silence Unknown Callers works:
It’s important to note that Silence Unknown Callers does not block numbers. Instead, it simply reroutes calls from unknown numbers to voicemail. This allows you to avoid unnecessary distractions while still maintaining the ability to contact or retrieve messages from legitimate callers.
Use Focus Modes
Focus Modes are a powerful tool you can use to silence calls from specific people or groups, or even all calls, without blocking them. This can be useful if you want to avoid interruptions during certain times of day, such as during work hours or when you’re spending time with family and friends.
To use Focus Modes, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap on “Focus.” You’ll see a list of pre-defined Focus Modes, such as “Sleep,” “Work,” and “Personal.” You can also create your own custom Focus Modes.
Once you’ve created a Focus Mode, you can customize it to your liking. You can choose which people or groups you want to allow calls from, and you can also set the time range during which the Focus Mode will be active.
Here’s a table summarizing the steps on how to use Focus Modes to silence calls on your iPhone:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the Settings app on your iPhone. |
| 2 | Tap on “Focus.” |
| 3 | Select a pre-defined Focus Mode or create a custom one. |
| 4 | Customize the Focus Mode by choosing which people or groups you want to allow calls from, and by setting the time range during which the Focus Mode will be active. |
Set Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb (DND) is a feature that allows you to silence all calls and notifications on your iPhone, except for those from certain contacts or apps. You can set DND manually or schedule it to turn on automatically at specific times.
To set DND manually:
To schedule DND:
Configure Do Not Disturb Settings
You can customize the settings for DND to control which calls and notifications are allowed through. To configure DND settings:
Allowed Calls and Notifications Settings
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| Allow Calls From | All Contacts, Favorites, Recent Calls, Custom Contacts, Repeated Calls, No One |
| Allow Notifications From | All Notifications, None, Favorites, Recent, Custom, Apps |
| Repeated Calls | Off, 3 minutes, 15 minutes, 1 hour |
Enable Silence Unknown Senders
If you’re tired of receiving calls from unknown numbers, you can enable the “Silence Unknown Senders” feature on your iPhone. This will automatically send calls from numbers not in your contacts or recent call list to voicemail. To enable this feature:
| Unknown numbers in call list | Voicemail |
|---|---|
| Unknown numbers with text messages in the past 30 days | Voicemail |
| Known numbers | Phone app |
| Numbers in my contacts | Phone app |
Use Third-Party Apps
Third-party apps offer a range of options to help you silence calls without resorting to blocking. These apps typically provide more granular control over call management and allow you to customize your settings based on specific criteria.
Some popular third-party apps for call silencing include:
| App | Features |
|---|---|
| Truecaller |
– Caller ID and spam blocking – Customizable call silencing rules – Call recording (with permission) |
| Call Blocker |
– Extensive call blocking and silencing capabilities – Customizable blacklist and whitelist – Automatic call rejection based on caller ID |
| Hiya |
– Caller ID and spam identification – Personalized call silencing rules – Fraud and scam protection |
Each app has its own unique set of features and customization options. To find the best app for your needs, consider the features you require, such as caller ID, customizable silencing rules, or advanced call management capabilities.
Once you have installed a third-party app, follow the app’s instructions to configure your call silencing settings. Typically, you will be able to specify criteria for silencing calls, such as caller ID, time of day, or frequency of calls from a specific number.
Contact Your Carrier
If you have exhausted all other options and still need to stop calls without blocking, contacting your carrier is the next step. They will be able to help you with a variety of solutions, including:
Carrier-Level Blocking
Most carriers offer a service that allows you to block calls from specific numbers or area codes. This is a great option if you are being harassed by a specific caller or if you want to block calls from a particular geographic location.
Spam Filters
Many carriers also offer spam filters that can help to block unwanted calls. These filters are typically updated regularly to include the latest known spam numbers. However, they may not be able to catch all spam calls, so it is important to be aware of this limitation.
Call Forwarding
If you are willing to pay a monthly fee, you can have your carrier forward all calls to another phone number. This can be a good option if you want to stop calls from coming to your phone altogether.
Temporary Call Blocking
Some carriers offer a temporary call blocking service that can be used to block calls for a specific period of time. This can be a good option if you are expecting a large number of unwanted calls during a particular time period, such as during a vacation or holiday.
Report Spam Numbers
If you’re receiving unwanted calls from spammers, you can report them to your carrier. Your carrier will then take action to block the spammer’s number from calling you again.
To report a spam number to your carrier:
You can also report spam numbers through your carrier’s website or by calling their customer service number.
| Carrier | Website | Customer Service Number |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | att.com/contactus/report-spam | 1-888-863-0656 |
| Verizon | verizonwireless.com/support/spam-caller-reporting | 1-800-922-0204 |
| T-Mobile | t-mobile.com/scam-protection/report-spam-text | 1-877-944-9881 |
| Sprint | sprint.com/en/support/solutions/how-to-report-spam-and-scam-calls-and-texts.html | 1-888-211-4727 |
Configure Call Blocking Rules
The iPhone’s call blocking feature allows you to prevent unwanted calls from specific numbers or types of callers. You can configure these rules to block specific numbers, unknown callers, out-of-area codes, or even calls from numbers that are not in your contacts list.
To configure call blocking rules:
| Call blocking rule | What it blocks |
|---|---|
| Block Contacts… | Specific phone numbers that you add to your blocked list |
| Block Anonymous Calls | Calls from unknown or private numbers |
| Block International Calls | Calls from phone numbers with international area codes |
| Block Calls from Non-Contacts | Calls from phone numbers that are not saved in your contacts |
Manage Notifications for Specific Contacts
To manage notifications for specific contacts, follow these steps:
You can now choose how you want to be notified when this contact calls or messages you:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Allow Notifications | You will receive notifications for calls and messages from this contact. |
| Do Not Disturb | You will not receive notifications for calls or messages from this contact. |
| Custom | You can choose to receive notifications for calls only, messages only, or both. |
Under the “Custom” option, you can also choose whether to:
Reset Network Settings
Resetting your network settings is a more drastic measure than simply disabling cellular data or turning on Airplane Mode, but it can be effective in stopping unwanted calls. This process will erase all of your saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and VPN settings, so be sure to back up this information before proceeding.
To reset your network settings, follow these steps:
1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap “General”.
3. Scroll down and tap “Reset”.
4. Tap “Reset Network Settings”.
5. Enter your passcode when prompted.
6. Tap “Reset Network Settings” again to confirm.
Once your network settings have been reset, you will need to reconnect to any Wi-Fi networks you want to use. You can also restore your saved passwords and VPN settings from your backup.
Additional Information
Here are some additional things to know about resetting your network settings:
* It will not delete any of your personal data, such as contacts, photos, or messages.
* It will not affect your cellular service or data plan.
* It may take a few minutes for your device to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks after the reset.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Will stop unwanted calls from all numbers | Will also erase all saved Wi-Fi networks, passwords, and VPN settings |
How To Stop Calls On Iphone Without Blocking
You can stop calls on your iPhone without blocking them by using the Do Not Disturb feature. This feature allows you to silence all calls, or only calls from unknown numbers. To use the Do Not Disturb feature, open the Settings app and tap on “Do Not Disturb.” Then, turn on the “Do Not Disturb” switch. You can also choose to schedule Do Not Disturb to turn on at certain times, such as when you’re sleeping or in a meeting.
If you only want to silence calls from unknown numbers, you can use the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature. To use this feature, open the Settings app and tap on “Phone.” Then, tap on “Silence Unknown Callers” and turn on the switch.
People Also Ask About How To Stop Calls On Iphone Without Blocking
Can I use Siri to stop calls?
Yes, you can use Siri to stop calls. Just say “Hey Siri, silence my phone” or “Hey Siri, Do Not Disturb.”
How do I stop calls from a specific number without blocking them?
You can’t stop calls from a specific number without blocking them on your iPhone. However, you can use a third-party app to do this.
Can I stop calls from going to voicemail without blocking them?
Yes, you can stop calls from going to voicemail without blocking them by using the “Send to Voicemail” feature. To use this feature, open the Settings app and tap on “Phone.” Then, tap on “Send to Voicemail” and turn on the switch.
