For a free starting point, check Apple’s built-in Call Screening. For caller ID, compare Truecaller and Hiya. For spam controls and Answer Bots, consider RoboKiller. If you want an assistant that also makes calls for you, compare OsmO.
We make OsmO. This is a comparison of published capabilities, not a hands-on performance ranking. The right choice depends on what you want the call to do: ring with a label, be blocked, or be answered.
Quick answer: how to stop and block spam calls on iPhone
Blocking and stopping are different jobs. Blocking shuts down one number you can already name. Stopping — screening, filtering, silencing — works on the whole category of numbers you have never seen. Blocking alone loses the race against a caller who rotates numbers, so use both together.
How to block spam calls on iPhone
- Open Phone and tap Recents.
- Tap the ⓘ next to the spam number.
- Scroll down and tap Block this Caller, then confirm.
That takes about fifteen seconds and stops calls, texts and FaceTime from that one number — but only that one number. A blocked call still won't ring, though it can leave a voicemail in a separate Blocked Messages section — that's Apple's design, not a fault in the block. Review or remove a number anytime in Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts; the exact path can differ on older iOS versions.
How to stop spam calls on iPhone
Blocking alone will not keep up with rotating numbers. To stop spam calls more broadly — including numbers you have never seen — layer on:
- Settings > Apps > Phone > Screen Unknown Callers — choose Ask Reason for Calling or Silence.
- The spam option under Call Filtering, where your carrier supports it.
- Your carrier's own blocking or labeling service.
- Reporting unwanted calls at DoNotCall.gov.
The five options compared below go a step further and can screen, label or answer calls Apple's built-in tools let through. For the broader iPhone-and-Android version of these steps, see the five-step guide for iPhone and Android.
Compare the five options first
| Option | Main use | Free or paid? | Check before installing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Call Screening | Asks unknown callers for a name and reason | Built in; no separate subscription | Supported iPhone, software, language and region |
| OsmO | Handles incoming calls and places outbound calls | 7-day trial; some features require Premium | United States, United Kingdom, India and Canada; phone/carrier setup |
| Truecaller | Caller ID, blocking and optional Assistant | Assistant requires a supported paid plan | Check Assistant availability, not just caller ID |
| Hiya | Caller ID, spam controls and Call Screener | Free basic tools; Premium screening | Check iPhone features and forwarding requirements |
| RoboKiller | Spam controls, Call Screening and Answer Bots | Free basic tools; paid advanced features | Check current iPhone plan and setup |
What the free options actually do
Apple’s screening asks an unknown caller for a name and reason before your iPhone rings. Silencing sends unknown callers to voicemail instead. These are different settings; choose the behavior you want.
Hiya and RoboKiller describe basic free tools, while screening and other advanced features depend on paid plans. Truecaller’s Assistant is a paid feature where available. OsmO offers a seven-day trial, with some features gated behind Premium. A free download is not a promise of an unlimited free service.
What to check before choosing
- Does it answer, label or block? A caller-ID label and a conversation solve different problems.
- Where does a missed call go? Check voicemail and any forwarding requirements before combining apps.
- What can you read afterwards? Compare the actual transcript, summary or screening response each plan provides.
- Will it work on your line? Check your iPhone software, country, carrier and plan.
- What data does it use? Review permissions, storage and deletion controls in each product’s current policy.
1. OsmO — incoming handling and outbound tasks
OsmO asks who is calling and why, can take a message, and provides a summary and transcript after an assistant-handled call. It can also make calls on your behalf, such as asking a business about an appointment.
It supports the United States, United Kingdom, India and Canada. Your phone normally rings before OsmO answers; users can enable direct handling of unknown calls. Test the setup on your own line. No assistant can guarantee every important call will be captured correctly.
Cost: seven-day free trial; some features require Premium. The store and pricing page explain the plans. This is useful when you want phone tasks handled, rather than only a number identified.
Download OsmO on the App Store | Get it on Google Play
2. Apple Call Screening — the built-in starting point
Apple’s Ask Reason for Calling option asks unknown callers for information before ringing. Its Silence option sends them to voicemail. Availability depends on your software and region; check the settings on your phone.
Start here if asking who is calling is enough. It does not provide an autonomous assistant to place your errands by phone. See iPhone screening setup. Do not assume Apple screening and a forwarding-based app can be combined without testing the resulting call route.
3. Truecaller — caller ID with an optional Assistant
Truecaller provides caller ID and spam controls. Its paid Assistant can also answer a call and ask why the person is calling on supported iPhone and Android setups. Comparing OsmO only with Truecaller’s caller-ID feature would leave that capability out.
Truecaller’s support documentation says Assistant does not make outbound calls on your behalf. Check current country availability and plan terms. Review its privacy policy directly instead of assuming that a contacts permission makes your address book public.
4. Hiya — identification and Premium screening
Hiya offers caller identification and spam protection, plus a Premium Call Screener. Its free and paid features differ; verify the iPhone plan and required setup before deciding. It is an incoming-call option, rather than an assistant for outbound tasks.
5. RoboKiller — spam controls and Answer Bots
RoboKiller combines spam tools with Answer Bots and Call Screening. Answer Bots play recordings; Call Screening is a separate capability that asks callers to identify themselves.
Its help center describes a free basic tier as well as paid features. Check the iPhone offer shown to you for the exact screening and Answer Bot entitlement. Do not choose it on the assumption that a published blocking claim guarantees no missed legitimate calls.
Frequently asked questions
How do I stop spam calls on iPhone?
Turn on Screen Unknown Callers in Settings > Apps > Phone and choose Ask Reason for Calling or Silence, enable the spam option under Call Filtering where your carrier supports it, block repeat numbers from Recents, and report unwanted calls at DoNotCall.gov. Blocking alone will not keep up with rotating numbers, so use these controls together.
How do I block spam calls on iPhone?
Open Phone > Recents, tap the ⓘ next to the spam number, scroll down and tap Block this Caller. That blocks calls, texts and FaceTime from that one number. For numbers you have not seen yet, pair it with Screen Unknown Callers and your carrier's spam filtering.
Where is the block list on iPhone?
Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts lists every number you have blocked. Tap Edit to remove one. The exact path can differ on older iOS versions.
Is there a genuinely free spam call blocker for iPhone?
Apple’s built-in Call Screening is a free starting point on supported iPhones. Other apps may offer basic free tools, a trial or only a free download. Check the feature and plan you need; free download does not mean free screening.
What is the best call blocker app for iPhone?
Start with Apple’s controls for basic screening, Truecaller for caller ID plus an optional Assistant, Hiya for identification and Premium screening, or RoboKiller for spam controls and Answer Bots. OsmO adds incoming handling and outbound tasks in the United States, United Kingdom, India and Canada.
Is iOS 26's built-in Call Screening enough?
It may be enough if you want unknown callers asked for their name and reason before your phone rings. Compare a separate assistant if you also need outbound tasks, custom instructions or a different call record. Check device, language and regional availability.
Can iPhone call blockers stop calls from new or spoofed numbers?
Some tools use number reputation; others add predictive detection or screening questions. No option catches every unwanted call. A screening response helps you decide what to do but does not prove the caller’s identity.
Do I need to give a call blocker app full access to my iPhone contacts?
Permissions vary by app and feature. Read the current privacy policy and check the requested access before enabling it. Contacts access alone does not tell you whether an address book becomes public.
Choose by the job you need done
Try the built-in controls first if your goal is fewer unknown interruptions. Pay for an extra app when its call handling, records or outbound tools solve a gap you actually have. Test an unknown legitimate caller, voicemail and cancellation before relying on a new setup.
Official sources reviewed: Apple’s unknown-caller controls; Truecaller Assistant; Hiya Premium; RoboKiller’s free tier. Checked September 29, 2026; availability and offers can change.