On an iPhone you can block unknown and anonymous callers. These are then immediately forwarded to your voicemail, so that you are no longer harassed by these calls. The call then appears in your list of missed calls.
It is a function that many iPhone users are happy with. Unknown and anonymous callers are often telemarketers or people with whom you would rather not speak, but because they do hear your voicemail, you don’t miss the call. This way, those who really want to contact you can leave a message.
Block unknown and anonymous callers
From iOS 26 you follow the steps below to switch on and use the function.
- Open ‘settings’
- Go to ‘Apps’
- Tap in the list on ‘telephone’
- Call in the ‘Screen incoming calls’ option
- Turn on the ‘Send to Voicemail’ option
- If necessary, enable the ‘Move to’ unknown callers’ option
Anonymous calls and unknown callers are immediately blocked. Have you installed iOS 18 or earlier? Then you can enable this option via Settings â–¸ (Apps) â–¸ Phone â–¸ Keep callers.
How does keeping unknown callers still work?
When you receive a call from an unknown or anonymous caller, your iPhone will no longer pass. Instead, the caller is sent directly to the Voicemail and you will receive a report of a missed call. The caller can then choose whether he wants to record a message.
Keep in mind that, for example, government agencies, hospitals, business customers and doctors often also call anonymously. Therefore, consider whether you want to enable this option. With a serious or urgent call, your voicemail is almost always recorded.
Filter on unknown songs in iOS
Of course this filter is intelligent and iOS will not automatically block all numbers that are not in your contact list. iOS first checks whether the number appears in the recent list of the telephone app, mail or Message app; If that is the case, the call will be let through.
Screen calls
Not available in Dutch
The new function ‘Screenen’ calls in iOS 26 is based on live voicemail and collects information about unknown callers. Via a band, the caller is asked to pass on his name and reason for calling; Their answer is immediately shown as text on your screen, so that you can decide on the basis of that whether you want to hire or ignore the conversation.
This function is primarily intended to keep spam, scams and unwanted calls, and builds on live voicemail: you are not disturbed during your activities, but you do get an immediate insight into who is calling and why. Unfortunately, ‘calling calls’ does not work in Dutch. Languages that are supported are English, German, French, Japanese, Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish.