People calling my phone come up as 'Unknown'

[Pain]

I realize I do not have Caller ID, but I was always under the assumption that Caller ID was for people who called my phone that WERE NOT in my contacts. Is this false?

If so, then even my contacts come up as Unknown on my phone.

 

[swiftaw]

If you have no caller ID the phone doesn't receive any info about the number that is calling so it cannot look up the number to see if it's in your contact list.

 

[Jestered]

If someone calls your iPhone and they are not in your contact list, the iPhone should show you the number of the person calling. If the person calling is in your contacts list, then you will see the name and photo (if you have one) of the caller. If you're seeing "Unknown" when someone calls you, they are probably blocking their caller ID from being sent during the call.

 

[andymodem]

Have anything go to a collection agency lately?

 

[callmemike20]

Caller ID is a service from your phone service provider. It has nothing to do with your contacts. Back when Caller ID was introduced in the homes, the name of the person calling would show up on your home phone. No contact book was necessary. This only worked if you paid for the service.

Today, I didn't know people still went without caller ID. If you don't have the service, then having numbers in your contact book will do no good. However, I don't see why the phone number should at least show up. Must be bill collectors.

 

[abc123]

You can opt to have your number hidden. I know my parents have a 'silent' number which means that it always shows up as 'unknown' when they call, even though I have their number in my address book.

For some reason your carrier might be blocking all numbers from showing up. I'd contact them first and then apple.

 

[QuarterSwede]

If you don't have the service, then having numbers in your contact book will do no good. However, I don't see why the phone number should at least show up. Must be bill collectors.

As Jestered said, CallerID can be blocked to the point that it says Unknown instead of the Name/Number. When my wife calls from work using certain phones the hospital blocks the name and number and it shows up as unknown. It could be anyone that's blocking CallerID from showing up.

 

[Leet Apple]

A few years back my phone worked like the OP, I had no Caller ID yet my phone would register incoming numbersm but ever since i transfered over to teh iPhone i've been forced to answer ( on the + Side i have unlimited incoming calls)