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iPhone 6(S)/Plus Restrict incoming calls to contact list?

sigmadog

sigmadog

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 11, 2009
835
753
just west of Idaho
Is there a way to restrict all incoming calls to ring only those on my contact list, and send all others to voicemail?

I'm suddenly getting a ton of nuisance marketing robo-calls, about one every hour and it's pissing me off royally. We are already on the so-called "DO NOT CALL" list, for whatever good that does.

I've looked through the settings, and can't seem to find any function for this, but it's possible I'm looking in the wrong place.

Any help out there?

Thanks!
 
BasicGreatGuy said:
Options
1) You can put the phone in constant DND (Settings > Do Not Disturb) and set it to only allow calls from favorites etc.

2) Assign a ringtone to your important contacts and set the default ringtone to be silent. That way, if you get a spam call, you won't hear it and it will go to voicemail, if they let it ring long enough.
Click to expand...
Those were essentially the potential solutions I was going to suggest. The downside with DND though is that it also silences other notifications too, which might not be that good of a thing.

sigmadog said:
Thanks! That's what I'm looking for.
Click to expand...
Another solution that could work as far as dealing with spam type of calls at least is to use a call "blocking" app, like Hiya or various other ones.
 
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C DM said:
Those were essentially the potential solutions I was going to suggest. The downside with DND though is that it also silences other notifications too, which might not be that good of a thing.


Another solution that could work as far as dealing with spam type of calls at least is to use a call "blocking" app, like Hiya or various other ones.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the follow up, CDM. You are correct. I neglected to mention that.
 
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Just activated DND and allowed only calls from my Contacts.

Tested it with the Missus and it sort of worked. She called me once and it came through, but on the second call it did not come through.

Also, DND does not notify of text messages, which is a problem for me.

I'll look into Hiya. I understand there is a subscription involved, but hopefully there is a free version for low-end users like me.

Thanks for your help!
 
See the New York Times discussion which discusses some tools you can use:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/11/smarter-living/stop-robocalls.html

There is risk in limiting calls to contacts. Some are very rare, but critical calls may be missed:

A doctor trying to reach you calls on an unlisted number
Local agency alerts for imminent flooding, power outages, etc.
You place an order for something and the vendor tries to contact you
Your car service rep uses his cell phone to reach you about issues with servicing your car

etc.
 
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Download YouMail and set it up to play a fake your phone is not in service message. You can add whatever numbers to your black list and they will hear the infamous “The phone you’ve reached is not in service...”. Works every time for me.
 
Banglazed said:
Use Do Not Disturb and set allow calls from All Contacts.
Click to expand...
Seems like that might not really work for the OP:
sigmadog said:
Just activated DND and allowed only calls from my Contacts.

Tested it with the Missus and it sort of worked. She called me once and it came through, but on the second call it did not come through.

Also, DND does not notify of text messages, which is a problem for me.

I'll look into Hiya. I understand there is a subscription involved, but hopefully there is a free version for low-end users like me.

Thanks for your help!
Click to expand...
 
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