How to Filter Unknown Senders in Messages on iOS
Messages is one of the most established iOS apps, and people around the world use it to keep in touch with friends and family each day. But while you’ll often talk to people in your contacts list, you might sometimes receive messages from unknown senders.
Related Reading:
Some messages from unknown senders are useful, but that isn’t the case for all of them. You might decide that you want to filter unknown senders in Messages, and this guide will show you how to do precisely that.
Why You Should Consider Filtering Unknown Senders in iMessage
You might want to consider filtering unknown senders in Messages for iOS, but the main reason is that it allows you to gain more control over who you want to respond to. When you keep texts from contacts you know and those you don’t together, things can quickly get muddled.
If you filter your messages between known and unknown senders, you can also decide whether a text from someone random is genuine. You might find it easier to figure out whether something is a scam attempt or something else that’s malicious, meaning that you can protect yourself better.
What Happens When You Filter Unknown Senders in Messages for iOS?
When you filter unknown senders in Messages on iOS, the differences aren’t drastic. To find them, you’ll need to go into the Messages app and click on Filters; you’ll find this option in the top left-hand corner.
In the next window, you’ll see an option where you can view texts from known senders – as well as people you don’t know. You can, if you’d still prefer to, also view all of your messages in one place.
Another filter that appears is Unread Messages, which is where you can find all of the texts you haven’t yet opened.
How to Filter Unknown Senders in Messages
With the basics of filtering unknown senders in Messages out of the way, let’s look at how you can switch this feature on. Follow the steps below to achieve your desired result.
- Open the Settings app and go to Messages.
- Scroll down until you see Message Filtering.
- Here, you’ll see an option titled Filter Unknown Senders. Toggle this option on so that the button turns green.
Once you’ve toggled the button on, your changes will take immediate effect.
Gain More Control Over Your Messages
Messages has evolved significantly over the years, and it now offers more than the ability to merely send texts to others. You will find a wide variety of customization options, allowing you to filter your messages without too much difficulty.
If you want to divide your texts between known and unknown senders, you’ll find an option that allows you to do precisely that. And now that you’ve read this guide, you’ve got all the steps you need to switch it on.
Danny is a freelance writer who has been using Apple products for over a decade. He’s written for some of the largest technology publications on the web and previously worked as an in-house writer before carving his own route. Danny grew up in the UK, but now writes about tech from his Scandinavian base.
