How to Block Nuisance Calls and Messages on Your iPhone

[KaliYoni]

On my iPhone, I use an app called RoboFence. I chose it because it does not require access to your Contacts or address book, does not have an advertising-based or social media-connected business model, and (at the time I bought it) only costs a dollar. For me, most of the well-known robocall blocking apps have privacy and security issues.

My robocalling problem is primarily matching-area-code-and-prefix spoofing. Before purchasing RoboFence, I would add each abused number to the built-in iOS block list. At the moment, RoboFence isn't very effective at catching these types of calls the first time they occur, probably due to the limitations of using a crowd-sourced blacklist derived from a small user base. But once a number is reported to RoboFence, the number is blocked on the reporter's phone regardless of the frequency of other reports. So I feel I'm still benefiting from RoboFence, because I no longer have to manage an ever-growing block list locally on my phone.

Bottom line: I like how RoboFence does not access one's Contacts, does not require registration, does not have ongoing fees, and does not seem to be slowing down my phone. I regard RoboFence as 99¢ well spent.

 

[naasrd]

Has the person who wrote this just arrived from the past? I think they should brace themselves as this will come as a shock, the Titanic sunk.

 

[ignatius345]

This isn't entirely true. I've seen a good number of these scam CIDs remain in use for years. They are exploited heavily for a few days or weeks then go away for months if not years before coming back. It's a nuisance to have to block them one at a time, and not a cure when you do, but it isn't completely ineffective either.

Sure, I guess they'll come back around to the same number eventually, but my block list got to be a mile long and was still missing them. I've been using Nomorobo and it's been catching the vast majority of them.

ps: ha, so you're the guy (or gal) who snagged the sweet Confederacy of Dunces screen name...
[doublepost=1521225262][/doublepost]

Things like Hiya and Truecaller should be included in your phone service and should work to prevent the calls from ever reaching your phone in the first place. Additionally, carriers should be required to reveal the real phone number that is calling you and not a spoofed number. They obviously know who is calling you because they have to figure out how to bill that number, be it minutes on an unlimited plan or what, but spoofing caller ID should easily be able to be prevented if the phone companies applird a little time to it.

I don't think the carriers always know. It's really easy for calls to be spoofed because we're working on a system built on layers of old tech. I forget where, but I read a really good article about it. The industry is apparently working on new authentication systems, but for now the system is basically set up to trust whatever number a caller says they're calling from.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Things like Hiya and Truecaller should be included in your phone service and should work to prevent the calls from ever reaching your phone in the first place. Additionally, carriers should be required to reveal the real phone number that is calling you and not a spoofed number. They obviously know who is calling you because they have to figure out how to bill that number, be it minutes on an unlimited plan or what, but spoofing caller ID should easily be able to be prevented if the phone companies applird a little time to it.

Have you taken the time to read the terms of use for "Hiya" and "Truecaller," ? If not, it would behoove you to do some reading before endorsing either one.

From Hiya's website:

"In the course of using the Services, you may transmit or otherwise make available certain content to us, including information about yourself. Unless otherwise stated in this Agreement or our Privacy Policy, by submitting such content, you represent and warrant that: (i) you are at least 18 years old; (ii) you own and control all rights to the content you transmit or otherwise make available, or you have the lawful right to distribute, reproduce, and provide such content; (iii) such content is accurate and not misleading; and (iv) transmitting or providing such content does not: (a) violate this Agreement or (b) violate the rights of, or cause any injury to, any person or entity. Further, you grant us a world-wide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable license to use, reproduce, modify, perform, display, distribute, create derivative works in, store and archive such content. Also, you understand and agree that Hiya retains the right to reformat, excerpt or translate any content provided or transmitted by you.

You also agree that we may collect and use technical information such as your IP address, device ID and other information, including, but not limited to, technical data about your mobile device and system software and peripherals, to facilitate the provision of software updates, product support and other services to you related to the Services.

Any content you provide or transmit will be treated in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Any comments or materials sent to us, including, but not limited to, ideas, questions, comments, suggestions, feedback or the like regarding any Services or any other products or services of Hiya (collectively, “Feedback”), is non-confidential and shall become our sole property. We shall have no obligation to you of any kind, monetary or non-monetary, with respect to Feedback and shall be free to reproduce, use, disclose, exhibit, display, transform, create derivative works from and distribute the Feedback to others without limitation or obligation."

https://hiya.com/hiya-terms-of-service

"Truecaller is even more shady, in my opinion. They used to post on this forum and got caught in several lies when being questioned about their business model, in regards to collecting (essentially data mining) user information to sell to others.

When You install and use the Services, Truecaller will collect personal information from You and any devices You may use in Your interaction with our Services. This information may include e.g.: geo-location; Your IP address; device ID or unique identifier; device manufacturer and type; device and hardware settings; SIM card usage; applications installed on your device; ID for advertising; ad data, operating system; web browser; operator; IMSI; connection information; screen resolution; usage statistics; default communication applications; access to device address book; device log and event information; logs, keywords and meta data of incoming and outgoing calls and messages; version of the Services You use and other information based on Your interaction with our Services such as how the Services are being accessed (via another service, web site or a search engine); the pages You visit and features you use on the Services; the services and websites You engage with from the Services; content viewed by You, content You have commented on or sent to us and information about the ads You see and/or engage with; the search terms You use; order information and other usage activity and data logged by Truecaller’s servers from time to time. Truecaller may collect some of this information automatically through use of cookies and You can learn more about our use of cookies in ourCookie Policy."

https://www.truecaller.com/privacy-policy

 

[JungeQuex]

Yeah, except the vast majority of robocalls DO have (faked) caller ID numbers. Blocking "unknown callers" would take out maybe 1 in 10 of them, tops.
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I think you need to get a Google Voice number. It rings through to any phone you want. I never give my "real" number out to businesses and the like, only my Google Voice number, which I leave on "do not disturb" most of the time. I get probably half a dozen spam calls on it every day but it doesn't bother me at all because at most I get a notification of a voicemail that turns out to be "you've won our contest!" or whatever.

Thanks for the tips, but the harassing calls I receive from a “No Caller ID” number are from a person I know who harasses me.

 

[s15119]

ATT has a service called "Call Protect" - if flags calls as "suspected telemarketer" "suspected fraud" or even "debt collector" it also blocks some known fraudulent numbers. It's very useful.

 

[peterh988]

This might be a solution Apple or a third party might implement.

(1) if the number is blocked ignore the call (this works today)

(2) When a call comes in first check contacts and if the caller is in that list ring the phone. Go to normal voice messages if the call is not answered.

(3) If the caller is not in the list of contacts let the user choose what happens. options are (a) optionally go directly to voice message and don't ring the phone (b) a "special voice mail" where you can have different greeting for unknown callers. "hi leave you name, phone number and short message and I will call you back" people in your contacts list get a different greeting

This pretty much happens on my home phone.

If its on the whitelist, phone rings as normal.

If not, or its withheld/unknown, the caller is asked to leave a short message identifying themselves. after that my phone rings, slightly different tone, I can check the message, decide if I want to take the call, either once only or whitelist the number, or hang up.

If they don't leave a message, as bots don't (yet) and 'Geoff from Crappy Insurance Ltd' knows he's not going to get answered so doesn't bother, the call ends and I'm none the wiser.

My home nuisance calls have dropped to zero since getting this phone. I don't know why apple can't adopt similar software to do the same.

 

[donutdirect]

Problem is that some spammers are avoiding this by auto generating numbers, often similar to mine - only the last four digits are random, the first six are the same.

Same. My number is from a different area code so nearly any call from that area code is spam, so I wrote an app that lets me block whole exchanges instead of just one number at a time - Donut Call. Apple's call blocking API is pretty limited so it's not practical to build a white-listing app, or block whole area codes, but this has worked well enough for me.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

It wouldn’t be hard for the non whitelisted number to go straight to a voicemail that informs them they are not whitelisted and to leave a message which you will review and call back.

All due respect, I don't know what world you live in, but in my world that would equate to a painful game of telephone tag. No thanks. Sure, it would be technically possible, but it's not really practical. It's also a tad bit rude.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Same. My number is from a different area code so nearly any call from that area code is spam, so I wrote an app that lets me block whole exchanges instead of just one number at a time - Donut Call. Apple's call blocking API is pretty limited so it's not practical to build a white-listing app, or block whole area codes, but this has worked well enough for me.

How does it completely block the call without sending it to voicemail?

 

[donutdirect]

How does it completely block the call without sending it to voicemail?

There's an API for call blocking/caller ID built into iOS - no magic involved.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Sure, I guess they'll come back around to the same number eventually, but my block list got to be a mile long and was still missing them. I've been using Nomorobo and it's been catching the vast majority of them.

ps: ha, so you're the guy (or gal) who snagged the sweet Confederacy of Dunces screen name...

I have nomorobo on our VOIP line from Vonnage and its seems to work, but it isn't available for the landline telcos. Works with mobile numbers? Might have to try that.

Yep, and thanks for making that connection. Somebody gets it about once every three years or so.

 

[Apple_Robert]

There's an API for call blocking/caller ID built into iOS - no magic involved.

What is the "enter password followed by the pound key" message about, when calling a blocked prefix?

Edited to add: I have tried the app. I have "Do not block contacts" unchecked and test mode is off. When I try calling my cell that has the blocked prefix added to the app, the call still goes through. I tried on a second line (calling my main cell) and the call still gets through.

Anyone else test this app and get it to work?

 

[s15119]

Apple got caught scamming the customers by secretly slowing down older phones without DISCLOSURE.

Now, Tim Cook & buddies REFUSE to allow us to block calls & texts from unknowns outside our contact list except one at a time.

If they’re NOT on my contact list, I don’t want calls or texts. But Apple refuses to allow us that benefit so Cook & buddies must have a financial benefit for their refusal in that IPhone function.

Wow, what total nonsense.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Wow, what total nonsense.

Says the person whose last name is Cook.

 

[dk001]

Some people like to bash the EU here, but there are things which are far better here in some countries.
I am on a do not call list, all businesses or people who like to sell me something have to check the list before they make a call, if they still call me I can complain, next thing they get fined €5000 for calling me.

Nice if you don't have a huge contact list.
What makes better sense is one tone for contact default and another tone for not in contacts default.

For the do not call, how does that work with robo-generated numbers?

 

[BeyondtheTech]

That feature already exits. It's called. Settings/Do not disturb/Allow calls from: pick a Contact Group or All.

I choose All contacts. If someone like my auto repair shop called and they are not in the contact list then it goes to voice. I then listen to the message and add them to the contact list. I guess the advantage to blocking a call out right is there can be no voice mail? But as stated previously, spammer use a random ID.

And then ALL notifications from apps would also be forever muted. Apple can do better than these two busted scenarios. I mean, look what it takes just to block one area code because of the half-assed CallKit API.

 

[donutdirect]

What is the "enter password followed by the pound key" message about, when calling a blocked prefix?

Edited to add: I have tried the app. I have "Do not block contacts" unchecked and test mode is off. When I try calling my cell that has the blocked prefix added to the app, the call still goes through. I tried on a second line (calling my main cell) and the call still gets through.

Anyone else test this app and get it to work?

I don't know what the "enter password" message is; I assume that's something from iOS? I've never seen it.

To get the app to work, make sure it's enabled in the Settings app > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

I think you need to get a Google Voice number. It rings through to any phone you want. I never give my "real" number out to businesses and the like, only my Google Voice number, which I leave on "do not disturb" most of the time. I get probably half a dozen spam calls on it every day but it doesn't bother me at all because at most I get a notification of a voicemail that turns out to be "you've won our contest!" or whatever.

Why do you not have a second work phone? This solution would work for 80-90% of the population if not more. Just because it doesn’t work for the small minority doesn’t mean it can’t be an option for the rest of us.

Again, two workarounds that shouldn’t happen because Apple won’t implement an easier alternative.

A second phone and service is costly and complicates things. You can’t iMessage a Google Voice, Talkatone, T-Mobile DIGITS, Burner, or any other second non-iPhone number. Seriously, you want to be swapping phones or switching through apps to see who texted and called from where?

I wouldn’t mind so much if my number leaked out to the public, just as if someone found out my screen name or username on any social media services. You’d still be off my radar unless I gave you access.

Just recall the time when that Papa John’s employee got Iggy Azalea’s iPhone number and started sharing and texting it. You’d think something like that would blow up in Tim Cook’s face. Yet here we are, three years and three iOS versions later, and this is their solution?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-s-pizza-delivery-guy-hands-phone-number.html

 

[kukhuvud]

I'm not an AT&T employee, but I'm fond of their feature that tags telemarketers and spammers when they call. It's not perfect, but it probably catches all the calls except for the ones that mimic my prefix.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't know what the "enter password" message is; I assume that's something from iOS? I've never seen it.

To get the app to work, make sure it's enabled in the Settings app > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.

Thanks. Got it to work It sends the unwanted calls to voicemail without the phone ringing.
[doublepost=1521232400][/doublepost]I loaded the Donut Call app, put in the prefixes I want blocked, and then created a custom voicemail greeting with the following YouTube video, Now, when the spammers call, they will get a recording the number is no longer in service, without even knowing they are hearing a custom greeting.

Props to @donutdirect.

 

[justperry]

Nice if you don't have a huge contact list.
What makes better sense is one tone for contact default and another tone for not in contacts default.

For the do not call, how does that work with robo-generated numbers?

Seems like we don't get many, we're not an English (native) speaking country (although most do) so that might make a difference.

 

[BadAppleCore]

Sure, I guess they'll come back around to the same number eventually, but my block list got to be a mile long and was still missing them. I've been using Nomorobo and it's been catching the vast majority of them.

ps: ha, so you're the guy (or gal) who snagged the sweet Confederacy of Dunces screen name...
[doublepost=1521225262][/doublepost]
I don't think the carriers always know. It's really easy for calls to be spoofed because we're working on a system built on layers of old tech. I forget where, but I read a really good article about it. The industry is apparently working on new authentication systems, but for now the system is basically set up to trust whatever number a caller says they're calling from.

As I’ve posted, the problem is EASILY fixable for those of us who want ONLY calls from our contacts ... but the greedy criminals inside Apple obviously have an incentive to force us to accept ANY call & then block one at a time. Tim Cook = sleazy scum.

 

[Apple_Robert]

As I’ve posted, the problem is EASILY fixable for those of us who want ONLY calls from our contacts ... but the greedy criminals inside Apple obviously have an incentive to force us to accept ANY call & then block one at a time. Tim Cook = sleazy scum.

Why are you still using Apple products, seeing how you think Apple is full of greedy criminals?

 

[BadAppleCore]

Why are you still using Apple products, seeing how you think Apple is full of greedy criminals?

And your explanation as to why a simple contact-only filter has been refused was what? Oh, yes, you have no ideas, right?