How to block a no caller id on an iphone

• To block no caller ID on iPhone, use Do Not Disturb to silence calls not in your contacts. 
• You can block individual private callers on your iPhone, but only after they've called you once.
• Blocking individual callers is less effective for robocalls as they use many numbers.

No, it's not your imagination. There's a virtual tsunami of robocalls sweeping American phones these days, with 46% of Americans reporting getting unwanted calls daily in 2021. 

Since many of these calls arrive as private calls — with their Caller ID marked as "Unknown" — you can dramatically reduce the number of calls you get by blocking them.

Unfortunately, Apple doesn't give you an easy way to block Unknown, Private, or No Caller ID calls on your iPhone, but there are a few workarounds you can try.

How to block private calls on an iPhone using Do Not Disturb Mode

This is the most effective way to limit calls from private and unknown numbers, but it's not without its disadvantages.

You can turn on the iPhone's Do Not Disturb mode, but configure it to allow calls from numbers in your contacts list to go through. 

All unknown calls will go to voicemail (which isn't terrible, because most robocalls won't leave a message), but so will any legitimate calls that aren't already in your contacts list.

If you try this approach, you'll want to keep an eye on your voicemail for important calls. 

1. Start the Settings app, tap on Focus, and then tap Do Not Disturb.

2. Tap People.

3. Tap Calls From and select All Contacts.

Now, you can enable Do Not Disturb mode (tap the switch at the top of the Do Not Disturb page, or open the Control Center from the top right or bottom of the screen and tap the crescent moon icon) and only people in your contacts list will ring through — all other numbers will go to voicemail. 

How to block calls on an iPhone from specific private callers

You can't block every call you get, but you can block specific ones — in fact, there's a Block this Caller option built into the call log in the Phone app.

Keep in mind that telemarketers use enormous phone banks to place calls. A single telemarketer might place calls from many different numbers and also spoof legitimate numbers of people, making it appear as though they are calling you. 

As a result of this, blocking individual callers will have only a modest impact on the number of unwanted calls you get, at best.

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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What’s your take over unknown callers? Well, if it’s from an HR of a big-shot company or a long-lost friend, we might enjoy it a lot. On the contrary, if it’s a marketeer or phishing call, that angers us to no extent. But hold your horses because there are ways you can block no caller ID on your iPhone!

I have lined them up for you. So, scroll through.

1. Silence Unknown Callers
2. How to permanently block someone using contacts
3. Employ Carrier’s call filter service
4. Use Focus or DND to block no caller id calls temporarily
5. Use call-blocking apps

1. Silence unknown callers

As the name suggests, the setting blocks all calls from numbers not stored in your contacts. The good thing is that call received from an unknown caller is directed to a voice mail and registered in the recent call list. And you can go and check the calls later.

1. Open Settings → Phone.
2. Scroll and tap Silence Unknown Callers.
3. Toggle on the switch.

However, it also means that an important or emergency call from an unknown number (HRs, long-lost friends, etc.) is also blocked, which could be problematic. I suggest using the setting wisely and ensuring all important people are added to your contacts.

Note: There is a loophole in this method. If you have messaged someone or received multiple calls from the number, Siri identifies it as suggested contacts and thus, allows them to pass through.

2. How to permanently block someone using contacts

When you are getting tons of unnecessary calls from a company or someone, you can choose to block them permanently. Here’s how you can permanently block no caller ID calls

1. Launch the Phone app → Recents tab.
2. Look for the number and tap the i icon next to it.
3. Scroll down and select Block this Caller.
4. Tap Block Contact to confirm.  

While this is the most fail-safe way, blocking each number individually can be irritating. Moreover, marketers or malicious parties can call from different numbers, so you might have to keep the block cycle on and on.

3. Employ Carrier’s call filter service 

Another smart way to stop no caller ID calls on iPhone, especially marketing or phishing calls, is to invoke a DND-like service from the carrier. Notably, the method varies from provider to provider, and you’ll have to Google or contact the network provider to enable the service.

And while this is one of the best ways to block pesky calls, not all network providers support the service in all regions. So, you’ll have to check the status of the service before you proceed.

4. Use Focus or DND to block no caller id calls temporarily

When you want to silence unknown callers for only a particular time frame, wherein you are working, resting, partying, etc., Focus/DND is your best bet.

I. Enable Focus on iPhone running iOS 15

With iOS 15, Apple introduced a smarter and versatile version of DND, Focus. Now, when you set a focus, you can decide whose call will come through. Here’s how to do it.

1. Go to Settings → Focus → Choose a Focus.
2. Tap People → Calls From.
3. Here, select All Contacts.

You can also tap + Add, Favorites to add selected contacts. When you turn on the focus mode, calls from an unknown number or contacts not added to the list will be silenced until you turn off Focus.

II. Enable DND on iPhone running iOS 14

If you are sticking to iOS 14, you can still stop no caller ID on iPhone via DND. Like Focus, once you set up DND, only allowed calls will ring your iPhone, the rest will be silenced.

1. Go to Settings → Do Not Disturb.
2. Tap Allow Calls From and select All Contacts.

So, when you enable DND, all unknown calls are blocked. Notably, you can also choose a set of favorite contacts and allow them to filter through.

5. Use call-blocking apps 

Yes, there is an app for this as well! From Robo Shield to Truecaller, there are tons of call blocking apps that can help stop those annoying spam calls. All you’ll have to do is, go to Settings → Phone → Call Blocking & Identification → toggle on the switch next to the app.

Now, whenever you receive a call from an unknown number, the app will run it against its list of spam callers. If a match is found, it will label the call and silence it, depending on your selected setting.

Here’s to avoiding spam calls!

I wish you a spam-call-free life and hope that you found the right balance between happy unknown and annoying unknown calls. If you have any queries regarding any method shared above, feel free to share it with us in the comments below.

Want more from your contacts? Check the below articles:

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• How to add social profiles to iPhone contacts
• Delete multiple contacts on iPhone at once (3 ways)
• iPhone settings you should change right now

A self-professed Geek who loves to explore all things Apple. I thoroughly enjoy discovering new hacks, troubleshooting issues, and finding and reviewing the best products and apps currently available. My expertise also includes curating opinionated and honest editorials. If not this, you might find me surfing the web or listening to audiobooks.