In the era of constant calls from scammers and intrusive advertisers, each of us has encountered a situation where the phone literally won't shut up. Fortunately, the iPhone offers several simple and effective ways to deal with this problem.
This is reported by RBC-Ukraine (Styler project) with a link to the gadget website Pocket-lint.
How to use the Live Voicemail feature to check calls
If your iPhone has iOS 17 or later, the Live Voicemail feature is enabled by default if your country and language support it. Supported languages include English, French, German, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese.
When someone leaves a voicemail, you'll see a real-time transcription on your lock screen – provided the caller is patient enough.
If you missed this transcription, don't worry: if you enable Visual Voicemail, the transcription will be available with your saved messages in the Voicemail tab of the Phone app.
To turn the feature on or off, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” application and go to the “Applications” section, then “Phone”
- Click on “Live Voicemail”
- Move the “Live Voicemail” option to the desired position. By default, the function should be enabled.
How to turn off all unknown numbers
The “Disable unknown calls” function is a reliable way to protect yourself from spammers. Your iPhone automatically blocks numbers you haven't previously spoken to, with exceptions for contacts in the Contacts app, numbers you've texted with, and numbers in messages.
If you call an emergency number, this feature will be temporarily disabled for 24 hours as a precaution.
Use this feature with caution as you may accidentally block important calls, such as those from colleagues or loved ones.
However, if unwanted calls become a real problem, “Mute Unknown Calls” can be a useful tool if all your important contacts are added to the Contacts app.
How to enable the feature:
- Open the “Settings” app
- Select “Apps”, “Phone” and “Silence unknown calls”
- Turn the toggle switch to the “On” position
How to block specific phone numbers
As expected, you can block individual phone numbers. However, this is not as convenient as it seems, as persistent callers can easily change or spoof the number. This option is best used against companies that refuse to leave you alone.
The fastest way to block a number is right after an unwanted call:
- Open the app “Phone”
- Go to the “Recent” tab
- Click on the “i” button next to the caller's entry
- Select “Block Caller”
You can also block people through the Contacts app or Settings, “Applications”, “Phone” and “Blocked Contacts”. The latter method is convenient for removing the block if necessary.
How to check calls using third-party applications
The iPhone has long allowed you to use third-party applications to automatically identify and block calls. You should look for a suitable application in the App Store that is compatible with your operator and has an appropriate cost.
The good news is that Apple has its own free identification service – Business Connect ID, which is enabled by default. However, it is limited to verified Apple companies, so it may not identify small businesses and certainly will not be able to recognize scammers or annoying stalkers.