In the bustling world of smartphones, unsolicited calls can be a constant nuisance. Whether it’s telemarketers peddling their wares or spam callers seeking personal information, these interruptions can disrupt our productivity and peace of mind. Therefore, it becomes essential to take control of our calling experience and block unwanted calls. Fortunately, iOS devices offer a comprehensive suite of features that allow users to effectively block all calls with ease. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this task efficiently.
The first step in blocking all calls is to access the iPhone’s settings menu. Once there, locate the “Phone” section and tap on it. Within the “Phone” settings, you will find a dedicated “Blocked Contacts” subsection. This section contains a list of phone numbers that have been blocked from contacting you. To add a number to this list, simply tap on the “Add New” button and enter the phone number you wish to block.
In addition to blocking individual numbers, iOS also provides the option to block all calls from unknown numbers. This feature is particularly useful for combating spam calls. To enable this feature, go back to the “Phone” settings and tap on “Silence Unknown Callers.” When this feature is turned on, all calls from numbers that are not in your contacts list will be automatically silenced and sent to voicemail. This provides an effective way to filter out unwanted calls without having to manually block each number individually.
Deactivating the Phone App
Disabling the Phone app is the most direct and effective way to block all incoming and outgoing calls on your iPhone. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Screen Time.”
- Turn on “Screen Time” if it’s not already enabled.
- Tap on “Content & Privacy Restrictions.”
- Enter your passcode when prompted.
- Select “Allowed Apps.”
- Locate and toggle off the “Phone” app.
Once you’ve disabled the Phone app, all calls will be blocked. You won’t be able to make or receive any calls until you enable the Phone app again.
Exceptions to App Deactivation
Note that disabling the Phone app does not affect the following types of calls:
| Call Type | Still Permitted |
|---|---|
| Emergency calls | Yes |
| Calls to and from your voicemail | Yes |
Utilizing the Settings App
Method 1: Using the Silence Unknown Callers Feature
This feature allows you to silence incoming calls from unknown numbers, effectively blocking them without explicitly adding them to your block list. To enable this feature, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Toggle on the switch next to Silence Unknown Callers.
When this feature is activated, calls from numbers that are not saved in your contacts or have not been previously identified through iMessage or FaceTime will be automatically silenced. However, you will still receive a notification for the missed call, allowing you to return the call if desired.
Method 2: Blocking Specific Numbers
To block specific phone numbers, you can use the built-in blocking feature in the Settings app:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Phone.
- Tap on Blocked Contacts.
- Tap on Add New.
- Enter the phone number you want to block in the field provided.
- Tap on Block Contact.
You can also access the blocking feature directly from the Phone app. When you receive a call from a number you want to block, tap on the information icon in the top-right corner, then tap on Block This Caller.
Blocking Multiple Numbers
If you want to block multiple numbers at once, you can use a text editor to create a CSV file with a list of phone numbers, one per line. Then, save the file and import it into your iPhone’s Contacts app. Once the numbers are imported, you can follow the steps outlined above to block them all in bulk.
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Silence Unknown Callers | • Open Settings. • Tap Phone. • Toggle on Silence Unknown Callers. |
| Blocking Specific Numbers | • Open Settings. • Tap Phone. • Tap Blocked Contacts. • Tap Add New. • Enter the number and tap Block Contact. |
| Blocking Multiple Numbers | • Create a CSV file with numbers. • Import the file into Contacts. • Block the numbers using the above steps. |
Forward Calls to Voicemail
This is a simple solution to block all calls from your iPhone, as it will forward them to your voicemail instead of ringing your phone. To set this up, you can follow these steps:
1. Open the “Settings” application on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the “Phone” section.
3. Tap on the “Call Forwarding” option.
4. Turn on the “Call Forwarding” toggle.
5. Enter the phone number of your voicemail in the “Forward To” field.
Note: If you don’t know your voicemail number, you can check your carrier’s website or dial *#61# to find it.
Once you have completed these steps, all calls to your iPhone will be forwarded to your voicemail, allowing you to avoid any unwanted interruptions.
Advantages of Forwarding Calls to Voicemail
* It’s a simple and straightforward way to block all calls.
* It allows you to screen calls and decide which ones to return later.
* It preserves your battery life by preventing your phone from ringing or vibrating.
Disadvantages of Forwarding Calls to Voicemail
* You may miss important calls if you don’t check your voicemail regularly.
* It can be inconvenient to have to call your voicemail to listen to messages.
* It may not be the most secure solution, as anyone who knows your voicemail number could access your messages.
Using the Do Not Disturb Feature
The Do Not Disturb feature on your iPhone allows you to block all incoming calls, except for those from your favorites or other specific contacts. To use this feature:
Step 1: Enable Do Not Disturb
Go to Settings → Do Not Disturb and toggle the switch to “On”.
Step 2: Customize Settings
Customize the Do Not Disturb settings to your liking:
– **Scheduled:** Set specific times when Do Not Disturb should be active.
– **Manual:** Manually turn Do Not Disturb on or off as needed.
– **Calls from:** Choose whether to allow calls from anyone, contacts only, or favorites only.
Step 3: Create a Do Not Disturb Override List
If you need to make exceptions for certain contacts, you can add them to your Do Not Disturb override list. To do this:
- Go to Settings → Phone → Do Not Disturb → Allow Calls From
- Tap “Add New” and select your desired contacts.
- Your selected contacts will now be able to call you even when Do Not Disturb is turned on.
Step 4: Use the Control Center
You can also enable or disable Do Not Disturb quickly from the Control Center:
– Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen (iPhone X and later) or up from the bottom of the screen (iPhone 8 and earlier),
– Tap the moon icon (Do Not Disturb symbol) to toggle it on or off.
Additional Features
The Do Not Disturb feature offers additional options:
– **Bedtime Mode:** Automatically turns on Do Not Disturb during your designated sleep hours.
– **Notifications Summary:** Delivers a summary of your notifications at a specific time interval.
– **Caller ID:** Shows the caller’s name and photo even when Do Not Disturb is turned on.
– **Repeat Calls:** Allows calls from the same person to get through after multiple attempts.
Configuring Do Not Disturb While Driving
Do Not Disturb While Driving (DNDWD) is a safety feature that automatically blocks incoming calls and notifications while driving. To configure DNDWD:
- Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb.
- Tap “While Driving.”
- Toggle “Do Not Disturb While Driving” to “On.”
- Choose whether to allow calls from “Favorites” or “No One.”
- Enable “Auto-Reply to Messages” to send an automated response to incoming messages.
- Tap “Activate” to activate DNDWD.
- DNDWD will automatically activate when your iPhone detects driving motion.
- To manually activate DNDWD, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and tap the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” icon.
Exceptions
You can add exceptions to DNDWD for specific contacts or apps. To add an exception:
| Exception Type | Steps |
|---|---|
| Contact | Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb > While Driving > Allow Calls From > Favorites or Contacts and select the desired contacts. |
| App | Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb > While Driving > App Exceptions and toggle the desired apps to “On.” |
Integrating CallKit with Third-Party Apps
CallKit provides a framework for third-party apps to integrate with the native Phone app on iOS devices. This allows apps to handle incoming and outgoing calls, as well as display call-related information on the lock screen and in the Notification Center.
To integrate CallKit with a third-party app, you will need to:
1. Add the CallKit framework to your project.
2. Implement the CXProvider protocol in your app.
3. Register your app as a VoIP provider with Apple.
4. Handle incoming calls in your app.
5. Handle outgoing calls in your app.
Handling Incoming Calls
When an incoming call is received, your app will be notified via the provider:callArrived: method of the CXProvider protocol. You can then use the CXCall object to get information about the call, such as the caller’s name and number, and to answer or decline the call.
If you want to display call-related information on the lock screen or in the Notification Center, you can use the CXCallUpdate object to update the call’s status. You can also use the CXCallTransaction object to manage the call’s audio session.
Handling Outgoing Calls
When an outgoing call is initiated, your app will be notified via the provider:executeTransaction: method of the CXProvider protocol. You can then use the CXCallTransaction object to manage the call’s audio session and to connect the call.
Once the call is connected, you can use the CXCall object to get information about the call, such as the caller’s name and number, and to end the call.
### Configuring CallKit for Different Use Cases
To integrate CallKit with your app, you will need to configure the framework based on your app’s specific requirements. Table 1 lists some of the key configuration options for CallKit.
| Configuration Option | Description |
|—|—|
| `supportsCallsDuringActiveAudioSession` | Indicates whether your app supports handling incoming calls while an active audio session is running. |
| `maximumCallGroups` | Specifies the maximum number of call groups that your app can support. |
| `supportsVideo` | Indicates whether your app supports video calls. |
| `includesCallsInRecents` | Specifies whether incoming calls should be included in the Recent Calls list. |
Block unknown callers
Activate the “Silence Unknown Callers” option in your iPhone’s settings. This feature automatically directs calls from unknown numbers to voicemail, preventing them from ringing through.
Block specific numbers
Open the Phone app, tap on “Recents,” select the contact you want to block, and choose “Block this Caller.” You can also manually enter a phone number in the Contacts app and tap on “Block this Caller.”
Use third-party call blocking apps
There are various apps available in the App Store that offer advanced call blocking features. These apps allow you to create custom blocking rules, identify and block robocalls, and even record or transcribe incoming calls.
Set up call filtering by contact groups
Create contact groups in your iPhone’s Contacts app and assign specific call blocking rules to each group. For example, you could create a group for “Spam” and block all calls from those numbers.
Use Focus modes with call silencing
Activate a Focus mode on your iPhone and enable the “Silence Unknown Callers” option within the Focus settings. This will block all calls from unknown numbers while the Focus mode is active.
Additional Tips to Enhance Call Blocking
10. Enable Do Not Disturb mode
Turn on the Do Not Disturb mode on your iPhone to silence all incoming calls and notifications. You can customize the mode to allow calls from specific contacts or groups.
11. Utilize the Carrier’s Blocking Service
Contact your mobile carrier and inquire about their call blocking service. Some carriers offer a built-in feature that allows you to block certain types of calls, such as robocalls or scam calls.
12. Register with the National Do Not Call Registry
Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry to reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive. By registering your phone number, businesses are legally obligated not to call you.
13. Use a Virtual Private Number (VPN)
Install a VPN app on your iPhone to mask your real phone number. This can help to prevent spammers and robocallers from obtaining your number.
14. Regularly Check and Update Blocking Lists
Periodically review your blocked numbers list and add or remove numbers as needed. As spammers and robocallers change their tactics, it’s important to stay vigilant and keep your blocking lists up to date.
| Blocking Method | Level of Effectiveness |
|---|---|
| Silence Unknown Callers | Moderate |
| Block Specific Numbers | High |
| Third-Party Call Blocking Apps | Very High |
| Contact Group Call Filtering | Moderate |
| Focus Mode with Call Silencing | High |
How to Block All Calls from iPhone
Blocking all calls from your iPhone can be useful if you want to prevent unwanted calls, such as spam or robocalls. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap “Phone.”
- Tap “Call Blocking & Identification.”
- Tap the “Block All Calls” toggle to turn it on.
When “Block All Calls” is turned on, all incoming calls will be automatically blocked. You will not receive any notifications or voicemail messages for these calls.
To unblock all calls, follow the same steps and turn off the “Block All Calls” toggle.
People Also Ask About How to Block All Calls from iPhone
How to block calls from a specific number?
You can block calls from a specific number by following these steps:
- Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
- Tap the “Recents” tab.
- Find the number you want to block and tap the “i” icon next to it.
- Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller.”
How to block calls from unknown numbers?
You can block calls from unknown numbers by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap “Phone.”
- Tap “Call Blocking & Identification.”
- Tap the “Block Unknown Callers” toggle to turn it on.
