If your Messages list is cluttered with texts from numbers you don’t know, like delivery “notices,” political texts, and wrong-number scams, your iPhone can move them out of the way automatically. In iOS 26, the feature is called Screen Unknown Senders, and it sorts those messages into their own list without notifying you. Older versions of iOS call it Filter Unknown Senders. This guide covers both, how to find filtered messages, and how to make sure you don’t miss important texts like verification codes.
Quick Answer
iOS 26: In Messages, tap the filter button (three lines) in the top-left corner, tap Manage Filtering, and turn on Screen Unknown Senders. iOS 17 and 18: Go to Settings > Messages (Settings > Apps > Messages in iOS 18), scroll to Message Filtering, and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
What Counts as an “Unknown Sender”?
Generally, anyone who isn’t in your Contacts and whose conversation you haven’t replied to. Once you save someone as a contact, reply to them, or mark them as known, their messages stay in your main list. Messages from unknown senders still arrive; they’re just sorted separately and don’t trigger notifications.
Turn On Screen Unknown Senders in iOS 26
- Open Messages.
- Tap the filter button (three horizontal lines) in the top-left corner.
- Tap Manage Filtering.
- Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.
You can also find these options in the Settings app under Apps > Messages, in the unknown senders and spam section.
Choose which unknown messages can still notify you
Under the same filtering settings, Allow Notifications lets certain messages from unknown senders still alert you, such as time-sensitive messages like one-time verification codes and delivery updates. Leave this on if you use text codes to sign in.
Spam filtering
Filter Spam is on by default in iOS 26. Messages that look like spam go to a separate Spam list instead of Unknown Senders.
Turn On Filter Unknown Senders in iOS 17 or iOS 18
- Open Settings.
- Tap Messages (in iOS 18, tap Apps, then Messages).
- Scroll to Message Filtering and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
Then in Messages, tap Filters in the top-left corner to switch between All Messages, Known Senders, Unknown Senders, and Unread Messages. If you have a third-party SMS filter app installed, you may also see categories like Transactions and Promotions.
How to See Messages From Unknown Senders
- In Messages, tap the filter button (or Filters in older versions).
- Tap Unknown Senders (or Spam).
- Open a conversation to read it.
Links in messages from unknown senders are disabled until you reply or add the sender to Contacts, which helps protect against scam links.
Move a Sender Out of the Unknown Senders List
- Mark as Known: In iOS 26, open the conversation and tap Mark as Known at the bottom.
- Add to Contacts: Tap the sender’s number at the top of the conversation and tap Add to Contacts (or Create New Contact).
- Not Spam: In the Spam list, open the message and tap Not Spam.
- Reply: Replying also tells your iPhone the sender is known.
Block or Report Unwanted Texts
- Report junk: In a message from an unknown sender, tap Report Junk below the message, then Delete and Report Junk. This sends the sender info to Apple (for iMessage) or your carrier (for SMS, where supported) and deletes the conversation.
- Block: Tap the sender at the top, tap Info, and choose Block Caller. Blocked numbers can’t call, FaceTime, or text you.
- Forward to 7726 (SPAM): In the US, many carriers let you forward spam texts to 7726 to report them.
Screen Unknown Callers, Too
For calls, go to Settings > Apps > Phone and look for Screen Unknown Callers (iOS 26) or Silence Unknown Callers (earlier versions). Unknown callers go to voicemail or, with call screening, are asked to say why they’re calling.
Troubleshooting
- Missing verification codes: Check the Unknown Senders list and make sure time-sensitive notifications are allowed.
- Friends ending up in Unknown Senders: Add them to Contacts. If they text from an email address or a different number, add that too.
- No filter option: Make sure your iPhone is up to date (Settings > General > Software Update). Some options depend on your region and carrier.
- Badge count still includes unknown messages: Unread filtered messages may not count toward the Messages badge; open the Unknown Senders list to clear them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does filtering unknown senders block them?
No. Messages still arrive, just in a separate list without notifications. Use Block Caller to stop someone completely.
Will the sender know I’m filtering them?
No. Nothing changes on the sender’s side.
Does this work for SMS and iMessage?
Yes. Filtering applies to both iMessage and regular text messages (SMS, MMS, and RCS).
Summary
- iOS 26: Messages > filter button > Manage Filtering > turn on Screen Unknown Senders.
- iOS 17/18: Settings > Messages > turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
- Check the Unknown Senders list for codes and new contacts.
- Tap Mark as Known or add senders to Contacts to move them to your main list.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.