Secret Codes guide
Call Screening For Unknown Numbers on iPhone: How It Works
By Muhammad Shahid · · 4 min read
Quick answer
Make unknown callers state their name and reason before your iPhone rings. Call Screening answers calls from numbers you have not saved, without ringing your phone. It asks the caller who they are and why they are calling. Once they answer, your iPhone rings and shows you what they said, so you decide with real information instead of guessing.
Secret CodesDial codes, SIM & network test · Free on the App StoreDownload free →| What it does | Make unknown callers state their name and reason before your iPhone rings. |
|---|---|
| Published for | any iPhone |
| Type | iOS setting |
Make unknown callers state their name and reason before your iPhone rings. This page explains what it does, how to use it on an iPhone and which carriers it applies to.
I build Secret Codes: IMEI & Carrier, a free iPhone app with 317 checked codes and guides, including this one. If you would rather tap than memorise, get Secret Codes on the App Store.
What is Call Screening For Unknown Numbers?
Call Screening answers calls from numbers you have not saved, without ringing your phone. It asks the caller who they are and why they are calling. Once they answer, your iPhone rings and shows you what they said, so you decide with real information instead of guessing.
The setting lives at the top of the Phone settings screen and has three states. Never turns screening off and your iPhone rings normally for unsaved numbers. Ask Reason for Calling is the screening behaviour described above. Silence sends unsaved numbers straight to voicemail and drops them into Recents.
Siri speaks to the caller in your iPhone's default language, so if you set the device to a language your callers do not speak, screening will confuse them.
How do I do it?
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Apps, then tap Phone.
- Under the screening options at the top, choose Ask Reason for Calling.
- Choose Silence instead if you want unsaved numbers sent straight to voicemail.
Which carriers does this apply to?
| Published for | any iPhone |
|---|---|
| Type | iOS setting |
| Good to know | iOS 26 or later. Screening does not use your carrier, so it works on any US network. On iOS 17 and 18 the equivalent option is only Silence Unknown Callers. |
Related iphone phone and message settings
- Record A Phone Call
- Hold Assist
- Move Spam Calls To A Spam List
- Filter Unknown Callers Out Of Recents
- Unified Or Classic Phone Layout
- Manage Favorites In The Phone App
See all iphone phone and message settings or every category of iPhone codes.
How Secret Codes helps
Secret Codes keeps this and every other entry a search away. Pick your carrier once and each entry says whether it is published for your line. You can save favourites, add a private note, and record whether a code worked on your line. This entry is part of Secret Codes Pro.
Frequently asked questions
What is Call Screening For Unknown Numbers on iPhone?
Make unknown callers state their name and reason before your iPhone rings. Call Screening answers calls from numbers you have not saved, without ringing your phone. It asks the caller who they are and why they are calling.
What else should I know about Call Screening For Unknown Numbers?
Once they answer, your iPhone rings and shows you what they said, so you decide with real information instead of guessing. The setting lives at the top of the Phone settings screen and has three states. Never turns screening off and your iPhone rings normally for unsaved numbers.
What are the steps for Call Screening For Unknown Numbers?
1. Open the Settings app. 2. Tap Apps, then tap Phone. 3. Under the screening options at the top, choose Ask Reason for Calling. 4. Choose Silence instead if you want unsaved numbers sent straight to voicemail.
Where do I find Call Screening For Unknown Numbers?
In the Settings app on your iPhone.
Is there a dial code for Call Screening For Unknown Numbers?
No. On iPhone this is not a dial code, so you use the steps on this page instead.
Which carriers does Call Screening For Unknown Numbers work on?
It is published for any iPhone. iOS 26 or later. Screening does not use your carrier, so it works on any US network. On iOS 17 and 18 the equivalent option is only Silence Unknown Callers.
Does Call Screening For Unknown Numbers work on Android phones too?
These steps are for iPhone. Android phones have their own menus.
Will Call Screening For Unknown Numbers work outside the US?
The iPhone steps stay the same, although some features depend on your carrier and region.
What if Call Screening For Unknown Numbers does not work on my iPhone?
Check that it applies to your carrier first, because carriers decide which services they offer and can change them. If it should apply to your line, contact your carrier.
What is related to Call Screening For Unknown Numbers?
Record A Phone Call. Record a call and save it to Notes, with a spoken notice to both people.
What else is in this category?
Hold Assist. Let your iPhone wait on hold and ping you when a human picks up.
Can I find Call Screening For Unknown Numbers in an app?
Yes. Secret Codes, a free iPhone app, includes it with its steps and carrier details, as part of Secret Codes Pro.
Sources
Secret CodesDownload free
