# How To Screen Calls on Your iPhone (6 Methods)

By [Ryan Toohil](/content/author/ryan-toohil/index.html)  
January 18, 2024

There are multiple tools you can use to successfully screen calls on an iPhone, from iOS17’s new Live Voicemail feature to AI-powered third-party tools.

## How Do You Screen Spam Calls on Your iPhone?

American iPhone users are facing an onslaught of spam and scam calls — and it’s costing them time and money. According to the latest statistics:

> Americans wasted 195 million hours on answering spam calls in 2023 alone.

But it’s not just the risk of wasted time that makes phone spam so dangerous. Scammers also managed to steal nearly $640 million from victims of phone scams last year.

Screening calls on your iPhone is one of the best ways to protect yourself from spam, scams, and unwanted calls. In this guide, we’ll show you how to use your iPhone’s built-in features, as well as third-party apps and tools, to keep your phone safe from spam.

## What Is Call Screening? Why Is It So Important?

Call screening lets you use tools or techniques to filter incoming calls before answering them.

Unfortunately, successfully screening your calls is easier said than done. Scammers and spammers have more ways than ever to not only [**access your phone number**](/content/learn/what-can-hackers-do-with-your-phone-number/index.html), but also trick you into answering. Here are just a few of the ways that screening your calls protects you and your family:

- **Ensures you don’t miss important phone calls from unknown numbers.** Modern call screening tools allow you to see the caller's name before you answer.
- **Helps you avoid falling victim to a phone scam.** Call screening services can flag and [**block scam calls**](/content/learn/how-to-block-spam-calls/index.html).
- **Prevents you from wasting time dealing with phone spam.** Call screening tools do the dirty work for you, only letting worthwhile calls get through.
- **Stops scammers from confirming that your phone number is active.**

**The bottom line:** Your phone can be an easy point of access for both scammers and spammers.

## 6 Ways To Screen Calls on iPhones

1. [**Enable Live Voicemail (iOS 17)**](/content/learn/how-to-screen-calls-on-iphone#1.-Enable-Live-Voicemail-(iOS-17/index.html))
2. [**Use Aura’s AI-powered spam call blocker**](/content/learn/how-to-screen-calls-on-iphone#2.-Use-Aura%E2%80%99s-AI-powered-spam-call-blocker/index.html)
3. [**Screen calls by using Google Voice**](/content/learn/how-to-screen-calls-on-iphone#3.-Screen-calls-by-using-Google-Voice/index.html)
4. [**Turn on the “Silence unknown callers” feature**](/content/learn/how-to-screen-calls-on-iphone#4.-Turn-on-the-%E2%80%9CSilence-unknown-callers%E2%80%9D-feature/index.html)
5. [**Try a third-party call screening app**](/content/learn/how-to-screen-calls-on-iphone#5.-Try-a-third-party-call-screening-app/index.html)
6. [**Contact your carrier to ask about call screening options**](/content/learn/how-to-screen-calls-on-iphone#6.-Contact-your-carrier-to-ask-about-call-screening-options/index.html)

### 1. Enable Live Voicemail (iOS 17)

Apple's Live Voicemail feature on iOS 17 sends you a real-time transcription of a voicemail as it's being left on your lock screen.

**Pros and Cons of Live Voicemail:**
- **Pros:** Built into your iPhone’s OS, shows voicemail transcriptions in real time.
- **Cons:** Requires the latest iOS version, transcriptions may not be accurate.

**How to enable Live Voicemail:**  
- Open **Settings** > **Phone** > **Live Voicemail** and turn it on.

### 2. Use Aura’s AI-powered spam call blocker

Aura answers calls for you using artificial intelligence. It requests the caller’s name and purpose before routing legitimate callers back to you.

**Pros and Cons of Aura's spam blocker:**
- **Pros:** Comprehensive package including ID theft features, no additional downloads.
- **Cons:** Requires a subscription, only available to U.S. users.

**How to enable Aura's spam blocker:**  
- Sign up for Aura and add call protection to your plan through your online account.

### 3. Screen calls by using Google Voice

Google Voice allows you to hear an unknown caller's name before accepting the call.

**Pros and Cons of Google Voice:**
- **Pros:** Free, easy to set up, adds protection.
- **Cons:** Only screens calls to your Google Voice number.

**How to enable Google Voice:**  
- Download the app and turn on **Screen Calls** in the settings.

### 4. Turn on the “Silence unknown callers” feature

This feature silences calls from numbers not in your contacts.

**Pros and Cons of Silence Unknown Callers:**
- **Pros:** Free, effectively silences spam.
- **Cons:** May miss legitimate calls.

**How to enable this feature:**  
- Open **Settings** > **Phone** > **Silence Unknown Callers**.

### 5. Try a third-party call screening app

Third-party apps can block scam calls using various techniques.

**Pros and Cons of call screening apps:**
- **Pros:** Advanced features.
- **Cons:** Requires management of multiple apps, may have costs.

**How to enable:**  
- Download from the App Store and allow access in settings.

### 6. Contact your carrier to ask about call screening options

Many carriers offer call screening services.

**Pros and Cons of carrier call screening:**
- **Pros:** Direct protection from the network level.
- **Cons:** May not provide sufficient customization.

**How to enable:**  
- Inquire with your carrier for available features and how to activate them.

## Did You Answer a Spam or Scam Call? Do This!

If you answered a spam call, act quickly to protect your accounts:
- **Secure your accounts.** Change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication.
- **Freeze your credit file.** Call the three major credit bureaus.
- **Contact your bank.** Inform them of the situation.
- **Block the spam number.** Use your phone's block feature.
- **File a complaint with the FTC.** Visit IdentityTheft.gov.
- **Reduce your digital footprint.** Delete unused accounts and tighten privacy settings.
- **Opt out of data broker lists.** Sign up for Aura for automatic opt-outs.
- **Inform people around you.** Warn loved ones about potential scams.
- **Consider changing your phone number.** If constantly targeted, a new number may be necessary.

## The Bottom Line: Phone Scams Cost Americans Millions

Phone scams threaten your identity and finances. The best protection is to screen your calls. Aura offers AI-powered protection along with digital security tools.

**Try Aura free for 14 days.**