TL;DR: The fastest free way to stop spam texts on an iPhone is to open Messages > Filters > Manage Filtering and turn on Screen Unknown Senders (off by default in iOS 26) while keeping Filter Spam on (on by default). Then forward scam texts to 7726 (free in the US and UK), use Report Spam, block repeat senders, and switch on your carrier’s free blocking tool. You can’t stop every spam text, but these steps move almost all of them out of your main inbox and stop the notifications.
Last updated: October 23, 2026. Checked against Apple Support, the FTC, the FCC, Ofcom, GOV.UK, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T.
Spam and scam texts (“your package is held”, “suspicious charge on your account”, “unpaid toll”) are the most common annoyance on any phone. The good news: iOS 26 and later (including iOS 27) have better built-in filtering than any earlier iPhone software, and all of the fixes below are free. Apple’s support pages describe these settings for iOS 26 and later. This guide is researched from Apple’s and regulators’ official documentation; we haven’t run a spam-filtering experiment ourselves.
How do I stop spam texts on my iPhone?
Turn on Screen Unknown Senders and keep Filter Spam on, then report and block what still gets through. According to Apple Support, Screen Unknown Senders “is off by default in iOS 26,” and when it’s on, messages from people you haven’t interacted with go to a separate Unknown Senders list without notifying you.
Here are the eight fixes, in the order we’d do them:
| # | Fix | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Screen Unknown Senders | Messages > Filters > Manage Filtering | Free |
| 2 | Keep Filter Spam on | Same screen (on by default in iOS 26) | Free |
| 3 | Choose which unknown-sender alerts you get | Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders > Allow Notifications | Free |
| 4 | Report Spam / Delete and Report Spam | Inside the message | Free |
| 5 | Forward to 7726 | Long-press message > More > Forward | Free (US and UK) |
| 6 | Block the sender | Tap the number > Block this Caller | Free |
| 7 | Carrier spam blocking | T-Mobile ScamShield, Verizon, AT&T ActiveArmor | Free tiers |
| 8 | Text Message Filter extensions | Manage Filtering > Text Message Filter | Free or paid apps |
How do I turn on Screen Unknown Senders?
Open Messages, tap the Filters button, tap Manage Filtering, and switch on Screen Unknown Senders. Apple says you can also do it in Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders. If you used “Filter Unknown Senders” in iOS 18, Apple says the setting is already on after upgrading to iOS 26.
- Open Messages.
- Tap the Filters button at the top of the conversation list.
- Tap Manage Filtering.
- Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.
An unknown sender, per Apple, is “anyone you haven’t previously interacted with in Messages or someone who isn’t in your contacts.” To read those messages later, tap Filters > Unknown Senders. If one is legitimate, tap it and choose Mark as Known to move it to your main list.
Will I still get verification codes and delivery alerts?
Yes, by default. Time Sensitive messages such as one-time codes still notify you. Apple’s unknown senders page says notifications “are on by default for Time Sensitive messages, like verification codes, alerts, or urgent requests.”
To fine-tune it, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders > Allow Notifications and turn categories on or off: Time Sensitive, Personal, Transactions or Promotions. Apple notes that allowed messages show in your main list for eight hours before moving to Unknown Senders, and that these category options are available in the United States, Brazil and India. In the UK and most other countries, unknown senders notify you by default, so Screen Unknown Senders plus Filter Spam is the main control.
What does Filter Spam do on iPhone?
Filter Spam uses on-device detection to move likely junk into a Spam folder without notifying you. Apple’s spam support page says Filter Spam “is on by default” in iOS 26. You can’t reply to or tap links in a message in the Spam folder until you move it to your inbox.
If a real message lands there by mistake, open Filters > Spam, tap the message, tap Not Spam, then Move to Inbox (or Move to Inbox and Report Not Spam).
One limit applies to every filter: Apple says text message filtering “doesn’t apply to any sender you’ve replied to three times or more.” Block or report those senders instead.
How do I report spam texts on iPhone?
Use Report Spam inside Messages and forward the text to 7726, which spells SPAM. Doing both helps Apple and your carrier, because they block different things. Ofcom recommends both “to ensure both the app provider and your phone company can take action.”
Report inside Messages: swipe left on the conversation, tap delete, then Delete and Report Spam. If you’ve opened it, tap Report Spam under the message.
Forward to 7726: touch and hold the message, tap More, tap the forward arrow, and send it to 7726.
- US: The FTC says forwarding to 7726 “helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future.” You can also file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC can’t accept forwarded messages, so paste the text into the form instead.
- UK: GOV.UK says to forward suspicious texts to 7726 and that “it’s free.” Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk.
Don’t reply “STOP” to an unknown sender. Ofcom warns that replying, “even to opt out,” confirms your number is active. Verizon gives the same advice. Use STOP only for brands you actually signed up with.
How do I block a number that keeps texting me?
Tap the sender’s name or number at the top of the conversation, then tap Block this Caller. Blocking stops calls, messages and FaceTime from that number. It works best for one persistent sender. Spammers rotate numbers, so filtering and reporting do more against bulk spam.
Apple’s Personal Safety guide adds a useful trick: if a blocked person contacts you from a new number or email address, add it to their existing contact card so it’s blocked too.
Does my carrier block spam texts for free?
Yes. The big three US carriers and UK networks all filter some spam at the network level at no extra cost.
| Carrier | Free spam text protection | Extra |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile (US) | Network spam text blocking, included “at no additional charge” since 2014, per T-Mobile | ScamShield in the T-Life app; Scam Block via #662#; ScamShield Premium is paid |
| Verizon (US) | Spam texts filtered behind the scenes; report to 7726 (Verizon) | Call Filter app; block specific senders in My Verizon |
| AT&T (US) | ActiveArmor; report to 7726 or via AT&T’s form (AT&T) | AT&T Call Protect app for calls |
| UK networks (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three) | 7726 reporting lets your provider investigate and block numbers (Ofcom) | Network-specific apps vary |
Should I use a spam text filter app?
Only if built-in filtering isn’t enough, and only from a developer you trust. iOS lets apps add filters under Messages > Filters > Manage Filtering > Text Message Filter. Apple says these extensions only apply to messages from unknown senders, not your contacts.
The FTC suggests checking CTIA’s list of carrier and call-blocking apps and reading reviews before installing. Many filter apps charge a subscription, so try the free iOS and carrier tools first.
Why am I suddenly getting so many spam texts?
Usually because your number appeared in a data breach, a data broker listing or a sign-up form that sold it. The FCC advises being careful about where you give out your mobile number and checking privacy policies for opt-outs before submitting it.
If the spam started after a breach, read our guide to removing your personal information from the internet for free. If a text asked for a login code, see is SMS 2FA safe? and consider passkeys, which can’t be phished by a fake text link.
What if I already clicked a link in a spam text?
Don’t enter anything else; change the password for any account you typed in, and contact your bank if you shared card details. Verizon says a suspicious message “typically will not put you at risk if you do not reply, click on links, or share any personal information.” If you did share information, secure those accounts right away and turn on two-factor authentication. Then report the text to 7726 and to the FTC (US) or Action Fraud (UK).
Verdict
Turning on Screen Unknown Senders is the single biggest fix, because it takes spam out of your main inbox and stops the alerts. Keep Filter Spam on, report to 7726, and turn on your carrier’s free blocking. Paid filter apps are optional for most people.
FAQ
How do I stop spam texts on my iPhone for free?
Open Messages, tap Filters, tap Manage Filtering and turn on Screen Unknown Senders, and keep Filter Spam on. Then report spam texts, forward them to 7726 and block persistent senders.
Is Screen Unknown Senders on by default in iOS 26?
No. Apple says Screen Unknown Senders is off by default in iOS 26, unless you had Filter Unknown Senders turned on in iOS 18. Filter Spam is on by default.
Will I miss verification codes if I filter unknown senders?
No, by default. Apple says notifications stay on for Time Sensitive messages such as verification codes, and you can change which categories notify you in Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders.
Does forwarding to 7726 work in the UK and US?
Yes. The FTC says forwarding to 7726 helps US carriers block similar messages, and GOV.UK says forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 is free and reports them to your mobile provider.
Should I reply STOP to spam texts?
No, not to unknown senders. Ofcom and Verizon both say replying confirms your number is active. Only reply STOP to companies you knowingly signed up with.
Why do some spam texts still get through the filter?
Apple’s filters don’t apply to senders you’ve replied to three or more times, and no filter catches everything. Block or report those senders directly.
Sources checked October 23, 2026: Apple Support articles 125068 and 124159, the iPhone User Guide, Apple Personal Safety guide, FTC, FCC, Ofcom, GOV.UK, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T. We haven’t tested spam-filtering apps for this guide.
