Quick Fix:

  • Never click on links in messages from unknown senders
  • Enable "Filter Unknown Senders" in your Message settings
  • Block individual numbers immediately after receiving spam
  • Report junk messages to Apple and your carrier

Steps to Filter and Block Spam SMS

1 Enable "Filter Unknown Senders"

iOS has a built-in feature to separate messages from people not in your contacts. Go to Settings > Messages, scroll down to Message Filtering, and turn ON Filter Unknown Senders. This way, you won’t get notifications for these messages—they’ll go into a “Filters” list, keeping your main inbox tidy.

Enabling message filtering on iPhone

2 Block and Report as Junk

When you get a spam message, tap the sender’s profile icon at the top, then tap the info (i) button. Choose Block this Caller. You can also tap the “Report Junk” link under the message—this sends the sender’s info and message to Apple to help improve spam protection for everyone.

Blocking a spam number on iPhone

3 Use Third-Party Spam Apps

If you get a lot of spam texts, try apps like Truecaller or Hiya. After installing one, go to Settings > Messages > Unknown & Spam and turn on the third-party filter under “SMS Filtering.” These apps use large databases to spot and move marketing texts into a special “Spam” folder automatically.

Using third-party spam filtering apps

Why Do I Get So Much Spam?

  • Your phone number was leaked in a data breach of a website or app
  • You signed up for a service that sold your data to marketers
  • Random computer programs are "Auto-dialing" sequences of numbers
  • Publicly listing your number on social media or classified websites

Pro Tips:

  • Don't Reply "STOP": Replying to a scammer (even to say "stop") confirms your number is active, which often leads to *more* spam. Just block.
  • Hide Your Email: Use Apple’s "Hide My Email" feature when signing up for websites to prevent your main address from being linked to your phone number.
  • Check Carrier Tools: Many carriers have their own free apps (like T-Mobile Scam Shield) that block spam at the network level before it even reaches your iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to open a spam message?

Opening the message is usually safe, but never click any links or download attachments. These links are often part of “smishing” (SMS phishing) scams designed to steal your passwords.

Can I block spam emails in the Messages app?

Yes. If you get iMessages from an email address, you can block that email just like blocking a phone number—use the info menu to do it.