Alex Ruben
How To Find and Manage Junk Messages on Your iPhone
Introduction
If you’re like most, probably annoyed by all the random spam texts flooding your iPhone, or maybe worried you’re missing legit important messages because of some filter mishap, this should help. Basically, iOS offers a way to sift through messages from unknown numbers – aka junk – and keep your main inbox cleaner. But sometimes, those junk messages sneak through or get stuck, and figuring out how to check can be a little confusing. So, below are some steps to find and manage those unwanted texts.
Step 1: Open the Messages App
First, open the Messages app. It’s usually pretty obvious, but sometimes it’s buried if you’ve got a ton of apps. Once inside, you’re looking for the special filters feature. This is what helps keep spam out of your main inbox so you don’t have to scroll past a million unknown numbers every time.
Step 2: Access the Filters
In the Messages app, look for the Filters button. A lot of folks stumble here because on some setups, it’s tucked away at the top left corner. Tap on it. If you don’t see it right away, ensure you’re on the main conversations screen, not in a chat thread.
Pro tip: sometimes, that Filters option only shows up if you’ve already enabled filtering in settings, so if it’s missing, here’s what you do next.
Step 3: Select Unknown Senders
Once you tap Filters, you’ll spot options like All Messages and Unknown Senders. Tap on Unknown Senders. That’s the folder where messages from numbers not saved in your contacts land. It’s kind of weird, but it’s supposed to keep spam out of sight and out of mind, but it can also hide important messages sometimes, so it’s good to check there every once in a while.
If you don’t see Unknown Senders in the filters, double-check your settings—more on that in Step 5.
Step 4: Review Your Junk Messages
Now that you’re in that folder, it’s a mixed bag. Certain messages are legit spam, but occasionally some important ones from new contacts or businesses slip in. It can be a bit of a chore to sort through, but on a good day, this folder stops your inbox from being drowned in spam. Usually, you’ll see a bunch of texts from unknown numbers, often with gibberish or promos.
Keep an eye out for anything that looks important, because iOS sometimes filters out real messages — especially if those messages are from numbers you haven’t saved yet.
Step 5: Enable Filtering for Unknown Senders
So, if filtering isn’t turned on, you might not even be getting this folder. To activate it, go to Settings > Messages and toggle on Filter Unknown Senders. This way, all texts from unknown numbers are automatically shoved into that Unknown Senders folder. Because, of course, iOS has to make it harder than necessary. You might be surprised at how often this feature is off by default.
On some setups, this toggle doesn’t seem to work immediately—you might need to restart your phone or toggle it off and on again. Weird, but sometimes it just takes a moment to kick into gear.
Step 6: Manage Unwanted Messages
If you find spam or junk you don’t want, just swipe left on the message in the folder and tap Delete. Easy. To block persistent spam numbers, tap on the contact or number at the top of the message, then choose Block this Caller. That should put an end to the flood of texts from that particular number, at least for a while.
Just a heads up: blocking someone will prevent any further messages or calls from that number, which is handy if you’re fed up, but be sure to do it only if you’re sure — accidental blocks happen.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Few things worth mentioning:
- Don’t forget to check the Unknown Senders folder now and then—sometimes legit messages end up there, especially from new contacts or recent signups.
- If spam keeps popping up, consider reporting those spam texts to your carrier or using a third-party spam filter app. Apps like SpamHound or SpamShield can help deal with persistent offenders.
- Keep your contact list updated: sometimes, iOS gets more aggressive filtering if the sender isn’t in your contacts, even if they’re legit.
Conclusion
Basically, managing spam messages on your iPhone boils down to enabling those filters in Settings, regularly checking the Unknown Senders folder, and blocking numbers that keep bothering you. This isn’t perfect, but it’s better than waking up to 50 spam texts every morning. Just remember, sometimes those filters miss a few, and aggressive spam still sneaks through. A bit of vigilance helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a message is junk?
Messages from unknown numbers generally show up in the Unknown Senders folder, but sometimes they get filtered into the main inbox or outright blocked. Always double-check, especially if something looks suspicious or too good to be true. If it looks dodgy, probably spam.
Can I stop receiving spam messages entirely?
Not entirely. Blocking individual numbers helps, but spammers often change numbers or spoof sender IDs. Regularly updating filters, reporting spam, and blocking repeat offenders help keep it manageable. And yes, some spam still slips through, because of course, iOS has to make it harder than necessary.
What happens to messages in the Unknown Senders folder?
They stay there until you delete them manually. They do not show up in your main inbox, which is meant to keep your primary messages clean. Sometimes, if you’re not checking that folder, you might miss an important message from someone new.
Summary
- Check the Unknown Senders folder regularly
- Make sure Filter Unknown Senders is turned on in Settings
- Swipe to delete spam or block numbers that bother you
- Report persistent spam to your carrier
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Could be a little fiddly at first, but it’s worth it for a cleaner inbox.