Introduction
If you own an iPhone, then you’ve probably received a spam text message or two. These unwanted messages can fill up your inbox, waste your time, and potentially even put your personal information at risk. It’s essential to deal with spam texts promptly and efficiently. This article will provide you with several different methods to stop spam texts on iPhone.
Block Specific Numbers That Send Spam Texts on Your iPhone
The first and most straightforward method to stop spam texts on iPhone is to block specific phone numbers. This will prevent you from receiving any message from the blocked number. Here’s how you can do it manually:
- Open the Messages app and select the conversation containing the spam texts you want to block.
- Tap the “i” icon in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and select “Block this Caller.”
If you’re receiving spam texts from unknown numbers, you can also use the “Do Not Disturb” feature to block them. This feature will automatically send calls and messages from unknown numbers to voicemail without making your phone ring:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Do Not Disturb.”
- Select “Allow Calls From.”
- Select “All Contacts.”
If you want more control over the numbers you block, there are also third-party apps available that can help you. These apps can block numbers automatically or allow you to create custom block lists. Some popular options include Hiya, Truecaller, and RoboKiller.
Review and Manage Your iPhone’s List of Blocked Contacts and Phone Numbers
After you block a number, it’s stored on your iPhone’s blocked list. You can review and manage this list by doing the following:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Phone.”
- Select “Blocked Contacts.”
Here you can see all the numbers you’ve blocked and make changes as needed. You can also edit or remove blocked contacts from this screen.
To manage the list over time, it’s a good idea to review your blocked contacts regularly to ensure that you’re not blocking any legitimate contacts by accident.
Use Third-Party Spam Blocking Apps to Filter Out Unwanted Messages
If you’re looking for more advanced spam-blocking features, third-party apps are worth considering. Here are some features to look for when choosing an app:
- Automatic blocking of all suspected spam numbers
- Customizable block lists based on keywords or phrases
- Real-time updates of known spam numbers
Some recommended apps for blocking spam texts include Hiya, Truecaller, and RoboKiller. These apps are available for download in the App Store.
Enable the “Silence Unknown Callers” Feature
The “Silence Unknown Callers” feature is a new feature released with iOS 13. It will silence all calls and messages from numbers that are not in your contact list, sending them straight to voicemail. Here’s how you can enable it:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Phone.”
- Toggle “Silence Unknown Callers” on.
This feature is particularly useful if you frequently receive calls or texts from unknown numbers, but it’s important to note that it will also silence any legitimate calls from new contacts until you add them to your phonebook.
Set Up Customized Message Filters to Block Spam Texts Based on Certain Keywords or Phrases
You can use the Messages app’s built-in filtering tools to block specific keywords or phrases that are often used in spam texts. Here’s how you can set up customized filters:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Messages.”
- Select “Filter Unknown Senders.”
- Toggle “Filter Unknown Senders” on.
You can also add specific keywords or phrases to filter out by selecting “Add New Filter” and entering the keyword or phrase you want to block.
It’s important to note that these custom filters will only work for iMessages and not for regular text messages.
Manually Filter, Mark, and Report Spam Messages to Apple through the Messages App
If you receive a spam message, you can manually mark it as junk by doing the following:
- Open the message containing the spam text.
- Tap and hold the message.
- Select “More.”
- Tap the “Mark” button in the bottom left corner.
- Select “Junk.”
You can also report the message to Apple by selecting “Report Junk” instead of “Junk.”
It’s important to note that reporting the message to Apple will not instantly block the number. Instead, it will alert Apple to potential spam activity and help them improve their spam-detection algorithms.
Adjust Your Notification Center Settings to Stop Alerts from Suspicious Text Senders
If you don’t want to completely block a number but still want to prevent alerts and notifications from them, you can adjust your Notification Center settings. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap “Notifications.”
- Select “Messages.”
- Scroll down and select the contact or number you want to adjust.
Here you can turn off notifications or select “Hide Alerts” to still receive messages but not get alerted by them.
Conclusion
Spam texts on iPhone can be frustrating and potentially even dangerous. Luckily, there are several different methods you can use to block and filter out unwanted messages. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can take back control of your inbox and stop spam texts for good.
Remember, it’s essential to stay vigilant and regularly review your blocked contacts, keyword filters, and message filtering settings to ensure you’re not missing out on important messages from legitimate sources.
