Silence Unknown Callers Setting: iPhone and Android

Written by: Matt Beucler, CEO, Plura AI

Answer: The Silence Unknown Callers setting keeps calls from numbers not saved in your contacts from ringing on both iPhone and Android. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers, or on iOS 26 go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Blocked numbers, then turn on the unknown-caller option. Saved contacts and recent outgoing calls still ring normally, and texts are unaffected.

Key Takeaways for Silence Unknown Callers

The Silence Unknown Callers setting on iPhone and Android quietly routes calls from unsaved numbers to voicemail without ringing your phone.
On iPhone with iOS 26, the toggle sits under Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers, and on Android it appears in the Phone app under Blocked numbers or Block numbers.
The feature does not affect text messages, FaceTime, or calls from saved contacts and recent outgoing callers.
Carrier tools such as AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile Scam Shield add network-level spam protection that works alongside the device setting.⁴
Businesses facing low answer rates from unknown numbers can improve contact rates with branded caller ID and AI voice agents from Plura.

Finding Silence Unknown Callers on Each Device

The menu path changes by platform and, on iOS, by software version.

iPhone (iOS 26)

Open Settings.
Tap Apps.
Tap Phone.
Tap Screen Unknown Callers.
Select Silence to send unknown callers to voicemail, or select Ask Reason for Calling to prompt the caller to identify themselves before the phone rings.

iOS 26 also adds separate Call Filtering toggles on the same screen for Unknown Callers and for Spam, which gives you independent control over each category.

iPhone (iOS 25 and earlier)

Open Settings.
Tap Phone.
Toggle Silence Unknown Callers to the on position.

Android – Google Pixel (Phone by Google app)

Open the Phone app.
Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
Tap Settings.
Tap Blocked numbers.
Toggle Unknown to on.

Android – Samsung Galaxy

Open the Phone app.
Tap the three-dot menu.
Tap Settings.
Tap Block numbers.
Toggle Block calls from unknown numbers to on.
Turn on Caller ID and spam protection on the same screen to receive warning labels on likely spam calls.

Android call-screening behavior and available options vary by phone model, default Phone app, Android version, carrier, and region. There is no single spam-call switch that works the same way on every Android device.

Impact on Text Messages and FaceTime

Silence Unknown Callers affects only incoming phone calls on both iPhone and Android. Text messages from unknown numbers are not affected and continue to arrive in your Messages app as usual. On iPhone, the setting also does not affect FaceTime calls, which rely on separate call handling and notification settings.

What Callers Experience When They Are Silenced

The caller experience changes slightly by platform.

On iPhone with the Silence option selected, the caller hears the call connect and ring through to voicemail. The call appears in your Recents list and the caller can leave a voicemail, while your phone stays silent. On iOS 26 with the Ask Reason for Calling option selected, the caller hears a prompt to state their name and reason for calling. If they provide no reason, the call ends with no voicemail option, although it still appears in Recents. A live caller who records a reason can reach voicemail, while many automated robocallers fail the prompt and disconnect.

On Android devices such as Pixel and Samsung, silenced unknown calls still appear in the call history and the caller can leave a voicemail. Voicemail remains a carrier-provided service that records messages regardless of the phone’s silence setting.

Turning Silence Unknown Callers Back On

Re-enabling the setting uses the same menu path you used to turn it on. Navigate to the location described earlier in “Finding Silence Unknown Callers on Each Device” and toggle the option back to the on position.

Keep in mind that turning the setting back on will also silence legitimate unsaved callers such as delivery drivers, doctor’s offices, or contractors whose numbers are not stored in your contacts.

Fixing Missing or Broken Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone

The Silence Unknown Callers toggle can disappear or stop responding after an iOS update. Three steps resolve the issue in most cases.

Update iOS. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Installing the latest version resolves the majority of missing-toggle issues after an update. If the toggle still does not appear after updating, move to the next step.
Restart the device. A quick restart clears temporary glitches that can persist after a software update. This step resolves many remaining cases where the setting fails to appear or respond.
Check Focus modes. If unknown calls are still being silenced after updating and restarting, the issue may relate to Focus settings. Focus modes such as Do Not Disturb or Sleep can override the Silence Unknown Callers setting and continue muting calls. Go to Settings > Focus and review which modes are active and what calls they allow through.

Third-party call-screening apps can also continue silencing calls after the native toggle is turned off. If unknown calls are still being silenced after these steps, check whether a third-party app has its own blocking rules active.

Carrier-Level Spam Blocking Options

The native device toggle handles unknown numbers on the phone itself. U.S. carriers provide additional network-level tools that attempt to catch spam before it reaches your device. The FCC maintains a list of carrier-provided call blocking and labeling tools, including the following options.

AT&T ActiveArmor: Provides fraud blocking and spam controls for eligible customers on Android 10 and above. The Advanced tier of AT&T ActiveArmor costs $7 per month and adds features such as Caller ID and reverse number lookup, while call routing, blocking, and labeling controls are available in the free tier.
Verizon Call Filter: Available at no additional cost for eligible customers and forwards high-risk spam to voicemail. Call Filter Plus, at $3.99 per month for one line, adds caller-ID lookup for unknown numbers and a personal block list.
T-Mobile Scam Shield: Provides network-level Scam ID and Scam Block, which can be enabled via #662#. Scam Shield Premium is available at $4 per month for some customers and adds more controls.

Phone companies may automatically enroll consumers in call blocking services, and they also allow customers to opt out if they are concerned about missing wanted calls.

The following table summarizes how the native silence settings differ across iPhone and Android platforms, separate from carrier-level tools.

iOS vs. Android: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	iPhone (iOS 26)	Google Pixel (Android)	Samsung Galaxy (Android)
Menu path	Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers	Phone app > three-dot menu > Settings > Blocked numbers > Unknown	Phone app > three-dot menu > Settings > Block numbers > Block calls from unknown numbers
Saved contacts	Ring normally	Ring normally	Ring normally
Recent outgoing callers	Ring normally (Siri Suggestions included)	Not automatically exempted	Not automatically exempted
Texts affected	No	No	No
Voicemail delivery	Yes; caller can leave voicemail	Yes; carrier voicemail still records	Yes; carrier voicemail still records
Carrier integration	Separate Call Filtering toggles for Unknown and Spam in iOS 26	Caller ID and spam warnings via Phone by Google; Pixel Call Screen available in the U.S.	Caller ID and spam protection toggle; AI Scam Detection on supported models with One UI 8.5+

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Silence Unknown Callers block texts?

No. The setting applies only to incoming phone calls. Text messages from unknown numbers continue to arrive in your Messages app without any filtering.

Will a silenced caller know their call was blocked?

No. The caller hears the call ring through to voicemail as usual. They do not receive a notice that the call was silenced on your end.

Does Silence Unknown Callers affect FaceTime?

On iPhone, no. FaceTime uses separate call handling and notification settings and is not affected by the Silence Unknown Callers toggle.

Can I still see missed calls from unknown numbers?

Yes. Silenced calls appear in your Recents list on both iPhone and Android, so you can review them and call back if needed.

What happens if a doctor or delivery driver calls from an unsaved number?

Their call is silenced and sent to voicemail if their number is not saved in your contacts. To reduce the chance of missing these calls, save the number in advance when possible or check your Recents list regularly for voicemails from unfamiliar numbers.

Does the setting reset after a software update?

It can reset in some cases. If the toggle disappears or stops working after an iOS or Android update, install the latest software version, restart the device, and confirm that no Focus mode or third-party app is overriding the setting.

Is Silence Unknown Callers the same as Do Not Disturb?

No. Do Not Disturb silences all incoming calls and notifications unless you configure exceptions. Silence Unknown Callers targets only numbers not in your contacts while allowing saved contacts and, on iPhone, recent outgoing calls and Siri Suggestions to ring through normally.

Do carrier spam tools work alongside the native setting?

Yes. Carrier tools such as AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, and T-Mobile Scam Shield operate at the network level and can be used alongside the native device toggle for layered protection.

Conclusion: What Silence Unknown Callers Means for Your Operation

The native Silence Unknown Callers setting on iPhone and Android gives consumers a fast, no-cost way to cut down on unwanted call interruptions without affecting saved contacts, recent callers, or text messages. Pairing the device toggle with a carrier-level tool such as AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, or T-Mobile Scam Shield adds a second layer of filtering at the network level before calls reach the phone.

For businesses that manage high-volume inbound and outbound calls, this same consumer behavior creates a different operational challenge. 92% of consumers assume unidentified calls are fraudulent, and 78% have missed an important call in the last month because they did not answer an unidentified call.³ Plura AI addresses this at the carrier level through branded caller ID issued on its FCC-licensed infrastructure, STIR/SHAKEN authentication on every outbound call, and an AI voice agent that communicates with iOS 26 call-screening so calls present with the company’s name and reason for calling instead of appearing as an unknown number.^1,2

Book a live demo with Plura to see how branded caller ID and AI-powered call handling improve contact rates for high-volume operators.

¹ Plura AI maintains SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO, and GDPR posture as part of its platform infrastructure. References to compliance frameworks in this article describe Plura’s platform capabilities and do not constitute a guarantee that any customer using Plura will themselves be compliant with applicable laws or standards. Customers remain solely responsible for their own regulatory obligations, certifications, consent management, recordkeeping, and the claims they make to their own end users. Consult qualified legal counsel for guidance specific to your use case.

² This article describes regulatory frameworks at a general level and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and regulations vary by jurisdiction, change over time, and apply differently depending on facts and circumstances. Readers should consult qualified legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

³ Performance figures, customer outcomes, and industry statistics referenced in this article are drawn from cited third-party sources or Plura customer case studies. Individual results vary based on implementation, use case, industry, audience, and execution. Past or aggregate performance is not a guarantee of future results.

⁴ References to third-party products, services, companies, or research are made for informational and comparative purposes only. Plura AI is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any third party named in this article unless explicitly stated. Trademarks and product names referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and reflects Plura AI’s understanding at the time of publication. Product capabilities, integrations, and specifications are subject to change. For the most current information, visit plura.ai.

This article was produced with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by Plura AI prior to publication.