Iowa iPhone Users: This One Setting Can Shut Down Spam Calls for Good

As a nation, I think we've all gotten to the point of screening our phone calls. If it's a number you don't know, don't answer it. Most think, "If it is important, they will leave a message," or "I'd rather receive a text." And who doesn't hate the endless spam calls, telemarketers, and scam artists that inundate our cell phones with call after call; you know, the one about your car's extended warranty... Now, Apple users in Iowa (like me) have one more tool in our arsenal that has been touted as a simple fix for those exact calls.

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It's called Silence Unknown Callers, and it’s built right into your iPhone—no app, no subscription, no hassle. If you’ve got iOS 13 or later (which, let’s face it, most of us do), you can turn this setting on in less than 10 seconds. It blocks calls from numbers not in your contacts, sending them straight to voicemail without even a buzz. You’ll still see the call in your Recents, but you won’t be bothered in the moment.

And I should know; I recently purchased my daughter her first phone. Whoever had that phone number before her signed up for so much stuff, mostly junk. She was receiving random texts and calls at all hours of the day. Granted, she still ends up with the odd random, and ridiculous voicemail, but at least they don't interrupt her school day or phone use in general.

To enable it: Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers, and toggle it on. Just make sure you’ve saved the important numbers. That would be your doctor, school, or maybe even that guy who works on your plumbing... so they can still get through, especially if it's an emergency.

A Quick Word of Caution

As helpful as this setting is, it can backfire. If you’re expecting an important call from a new number, such as a job interview, a delivery driver, or a medical provider, it may get silenced without warning. You won’t get a notification; it just quietly goes to voicemail. So, keep an eye on your missed calls list and voicemail if you’re using this feature.

It's a great tool if you're inundated with random calls, but with automated screening, there comes some extra responsibility. If missing a few calls doesn't really matter or bother you, then it's time to get in on one of Apple’s simplest and most satisfying features.