How to Stop Spam Texts with Filter Unknown Senders on iPhone

By Erin MacPherson Updated 02/10/2025

We're all familiar with spam text messages and calls. Are you wondering, "What can I do about spam texts?" Here's how to filter unknown senders on iPhone, so you don't have to block every number. We'll also reveal how to find those random text messages after Apple's Filter Unknown Senders blocks them.

Why You'll Love This Tip:

Stop spam texts from bothering you by sending them to a separate Messages app inbox.
Easily check text messages from unknown senders on iPhone, just in case the message was important.

How to Filter Unknown Senders on iPhone & Stop Spam Texts

System Requirements

This tip was checked on an iPhone 16 running iOS 18. Learn how to update to iOS 18.

What does Filter Unknown Senders mean on an iPhone? This feature lets the Messages app automatically stop texts from numbers not in your contacts from cluttering up your inbox. This is an easy way to stop spam texts from bothering you without having to block texts on iPhone (which has to be done number by number).

Let's go over how to Filter Unknown Senders, and also where Filter Unknown Senders sends potential spam texts, so you can look over these messages. Keep in mind this will not block spam texts on iPhone; it will simply allow you to ignore them more easily and get to them when you have time.

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Open the Settings app.
Tap Apps.

Scroll down and tap Messages.
Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders.

Now open the Messages app.
You'll see that it looks a little different; you should see Filters in the upper-left corner if you're not already on the filters screen. Tap Filters.

From this screen, you can choose All Messages to see messages from all senders, or you can choose either Known Senders, Unknown Senders, or Unread Messages to see messages in those categories.

Now you can choose to open up your Messages app to the Known Senders messages, and only review Unknown Senders when you feel like it. Be sure to check out our free Tip of the Day for more great iPhone Messages tutorials.

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Author Details

Erin MacPherson

Erin is a Web Editor for iPhone Life and has been a writer, editor, and researcher for many years. She has a degree in communication with an emphasis on psychology and communication, and has spent many of her professional years as a coach in various business and specialty fields. Erin officially joined the ranks of iPhone and Apple users everywhere around nine years ago, and has since enjoyed the unique and customized feel of Apple technology and its many gadgets. When she’s not working, Erin and her son enjoy outdoor adventures, camping, and spending time with their eclectic collection of pets.

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