Just like with any other mobile device, you’ve most likely had to deal with robocalls and unwanted contact from “Scam likely” caller IDs and unknown numbers if you have an iPhone.
Blocking numbers as they come up can only do so much when new attempts change things up faster than a person can realistically keep track!
So, here we are: The Guide on How to Stop Calls on iPhone Without Blocking.
Let’s get straight into it!
Alternatives To Blocking While Using An iPhone
The following list of strategies are ways you can avoid and manage scam calls, spam calls, accidental dials, and other odd incoming calls without having to block calls outright.
Some methods might work better for you than others based on your service provider.
Silence Unknown Callers And Send Them To Voicemail
A default option using the latest versions of iOS allows you to silence unknown callers and phone numbers.
However, you’ll still receive notifications for phone calls from anyone in your contacts list, anyone you’ve recently contacted, and Siri suggestions.
This runs the risk of sending people you know calling from different devices, or of important calls going straight to voicemail, but you’ll always be able to check your messages later.
Here’s how you turn this feature on:
- Go to Settings and select “Phone”
- Tap “Silence Unknown Callers” to turn this feature on
A similar option to silence potential spam is available with certain carriers.
Your specific service provider will need to have a list compiled of known or likely spam callers.
The junk you’d otherwise get will be silenced and sent to voicemail, but the calls from people you don’t know that aren’t identified as potentially harmful can still get through.
Here’s how to activate this feature:
- Go to Settings then select “Phone”
- Tap “Blocked Contacts” to silence calls based on your carrier’s listing
Regardless of which feature you use, it’s vital to have all your favourite contacts.
Carriers like T-Mobile also advise keeping track of when you place emergency calls. Features like “Silence Unknown Callers” are temporarily disabled for a day after making one.
Register Your Device On The National “Do Not Call” Registry
The Federal Trade Commission gives anyone in the United States the option to register on a protective list that keeps business pitches, sales calls, and other unwanted contacts from reaching you.
If you still receive calls you think are unwarranted, they also give you the option to report them and improve the registry.
This option allows you to avoid needing to check voicemail or worry about blocking numbers in the first place.
Once you register a device, the inclusion lasts forever. You’ll never need to sign up again.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the Federal Trade Commission’s registration page
- Select “Register Here”
- Go through each of the three registration steps, which require you to provide the number(s) of the device(s) you want to be added to and your email address
- You should receive an email with a link to complete the process within 72 hours
While you are immediately placed on the FTC’s do not call list, it may take as long as 31 days for all potential sales and robocalls to stop.
It’s a free process that keeps away real companies and bothersome contact from businesses on the registry. This list does not prevent scammers from calling you, however.
If you think your registration isn’t working properly after 31 days, there’s a simple process to double-check all your information is correct.
You can verify your registration like this:
- Go to the Federal Trade Commission’s verification page
- Enter the same information you did when registering, in the same three-step process
- You should receive an email with your verification information within 72 hours
Assign A Silent Ringtone To Unwanted Contacts
A favourite among Apple users is this workaround to blocking.
Since ringtones can be assigned using almost any audio file, a silent one is easy to make or download from iTunes.
If you assign this silent ringtone to specific contacts, they’ll have to wait to be sent to voicemail without knowing if you saw them.
You can also assign it as the default phone ringtone and change important contacts to an audible alert.
You can change your default ringtone easily by following these steps:
- Go to Settings and select “Sound & Haptics”
- Tap a ringtone or alert sound to test it out and then set it as your desired ringtone
- If you have purchased or downloaded a custom sound for your phone, you should see it among the options available here
You can set a specific ringtone for individual contacts by following these steps:
- Open your Contacts app and find the person you wish to set a special ringtone for
- Tap the Edit button upper-righthand corner of their contact information
- Tap “Ringtone” and choose a new sound
- This selection should also include any purchased or custom-downloaded sounds
To download a custom ringtone onto your iPhone, the easiest way is to connect it to a computer. You can move the desired sound file onto your iPhone like this:
- Connect your iPhone to your PC or Mac computer
- Open either iTunes for Windows or use the Finder Application on Mac to locate your device
- Simply drag and drop the custom ringtone onto your iPhone
Make sure to add a custom ringtone to any contact you put into your phone right away if you change the default ringtone of your device to something silent.
Use ‘Do Not Disturb’ To Silence Calls And Alerts From Unknown Contacts
By default, with Do Not Disturb on you will not receive notifications for calls and messages while your phone is locked.
While your phone is in this mode, you can specify certain contacts to still receive notifications from.
This method lets you ignore unwanted calls without blocking endless spam numbers.
You can allow calls from specific groups after you turn on ‘Do Not Disturb’ by following these steps:
- Go to Settings then “Focus”
- Select “Do Not Disturb”
- And on the People tab, you can select contacts that are allowed to ring your phone.
Summary: How To Stop Calls On iPhone Without Blocking
There are several possible ways to stop calls on iPhones without blocking specific numbers.
The easiest options are to silence your calls, use “Do Not Disturb” mode or silent ringtones, or sign up for the “Do Not Call” registry.
Any of these options can get the job done, and ensure that you get the peace and quiet you deserve!
Do you know how to stay safe on your smartphone? Keep yourself protected with our Comprehensive A-Z Of Smartphone Security right HERE!