How to filter texts from unknown senders on iPhone

Updated October 23, 2026

On iOS 26 and later, open Messages, tap the Filters button, tap Manage Filtering, and turn on Screen Unknown Senders. Texts from numbers you don't know then go to a separate Unknown Senders list. Apple's Spam filter is on by default and catches obvious junk.

Turn on Screen Unknown Senders (iOS 26 and later)

Open Messages.
Tap the Filters button (three lines) at the top.
Tap Manage Filtering.
Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.

You can also find it in Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders. It's off by default, unless you had Filter Unknown Senders turned on before upgrading.

What changes: texts from numbers you don't know go to the Unknown Senders list instead of your main list. Time-sensitive messages like verification codes still notify you. In the US you can also choose to be notified about Personal, Transactions, and Promotions messages under Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders > Allow Notifications.

To move someone to your main list, open their conversation and tap Mark as Known. Replying alone doesn't mark a sender as known.

Check the Spam folder

On iOS 26 and later, Apple's Filter Spam is on by default. Messages Apple detects as spam go to a Spam folder without notifying you, and you can't reply or tap links until you move them to your inbox.

To see it: Messages > Filters > Spam.
If something real ended up there: open it, tap Not Spam, then Move to Inbox.
To turn it on or off: Filters > Manage Filtering > Filter Spam.

Add a text message filter app

Apps like NoScams can sort texts from unknown senders for you. To turn one on after installing it:

Open Messages and tap the Filters button.
Tap Manage Filtering, then Text Message Filter.
Turn on Text Message Filter and the app.

On iOS 17 and 18, go to Settings (then Apps on iOS 18) > Messages > Unknown & Spam, and choose the app under SMS Filtering.

What a filter app can and can't see, by Apple's design:

It only gets regular texts (SMS, MMS, and RCS) from senders you don't know.
It never gets iMessages, texts from your contacts, or texts from anyone you've replied to three or more times.
The filter itself can't connect to the internet or save the messages it sees. Apple offers apps an optional way to ask their own server about hard-to-judge texts. NoScams doesn't use it, so every check stays on your iPhone.

Depending on your carrier and region, Text Message Filter may not appear until you install a filter app.

Questions

Will I miss verification codes if I screen unknown senders?

Apple notifies you about time-sensitive messages like verification codes by default, even when they come from unknown senders. You can choose which other kinds of messages notify you.

Where do filtered texts go?

Tap the Filters button in Messages. You'll see Unknown Senders and Spam, plus Transactions and Promotions if you use a text message filter app.

Can a filter app read my texts from friends?

No. iOS only gives text message filter apps texts from senders you don't know. Texts from your contacts, and from anyone you've replied to three or more times, are never passed to them.

Sources

Facts checked October 23, 2026.