Apple's new 'Silence Unknown Callers' feature in iOS 13 appears to be a tempting development
The problem of robocalls continues to plague consumers, with tens of billions of such calls made to numbers in the U.S. last year [1]. In an effort to combat this nuisance, Apple has introduced a new feature in iOS 13: Silence Unknown Callers.
This feature, set to arrive with the wide release of iOS 13 this fall, automatically silences calls from phone numbers that are not recognised - meaning they are not saved in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Safari/Mail databases [3]. Your phone will still ring for calls from numbers in your Contacts, numbers you have recently called, numbers found in your Mail app and Messages app, and emergency services.
This helps reduce interruptions from spam or unwanted calls without blocking important unknown calls such as a doctor's office or delivery service that might not be in your contacts [3].
In later iOS versions, notably iOS 26, Apple enhanced this capability with the Screen Unknown Callers feature, which adds more nuanced options for handling calls from unknown numbers [1][2][5]:
- Never: Unknown calls ring through as usual.
- Ask Reason for Calling: Calls from unknown numbers go to an automated screening that asks the caller to state their name and reason for calling before the phone rings. You receive a transcript to decide if you want to pick up [2][4][5].
- Silence: All calls from unknown numbers are silenced and sent directly to voicemail without ringing [2].
Additionally, iOS 26 introduced a Call Filtering feature where users can mark unknown numbers as "known" without adding them to contacts, allowing those calls to ring through in the future [1].
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has also taken steps to address the robocall issue. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai wrote an op-ed in USA Today stating that robocalls are the top consumer complaint each year, making up roughly 60% of complaints [2]. The FCC has voted to allow carriers to block robocalls by default.
In conclusion, the Silence Unknown Callers feature in iOS 13 aims to help manage robocalls by automatically silencing calls from unknown numbers, sending them straight to voicemail without ringing your phone. This feature, along with the advanced screening options introduced in later iOS versions, provides a valuable tool for consumers seeking to reduce the number of unwanted calls they receive.
- The future of tech is promising, with Apple's new feature, Silence Unknown Callers, set to roll out in iOS 13, aiming to combat the ongoing issue of robocalls.
- The general news landscape is abuzz with discussions about the top consumer complaint each year – robocalls, making up roughly 60% of complaints, as stated by FCC Chairman Ajit Pai in an op-ed for USA Today.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts and tech fans alike can look forward to a more peaceful lifestyle, thanks to Apple's Silence Unknown Callers feature that silences calls from unrecognized numbers, helping minimize interruptions from spam or unwanted calls.
- The tech world is buzzing about Apple's latest innovation in iOS 26, which not only offers the Silence Unknown Callers feature but also advanced screening options, such as Never, Ask Reason for Calling, and Silence.
- In an era where sustainable living is becoming increasingly important, gadget enthusiasts can appreciate the advanced Call Filtering feature introduced in iOS 26, which allows users to mark unknown numbers as "known" without adding them to contacts.
- Gizmodo reports that crime and justice news has taken an interesting turn, as the Federal Communications Commission has taken steps to address the robocall issue, allowing carriers to block robocalls by default.
