Spam texts in iMessage

Hello aarrkkeejj,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We understand the importance of getting this issue resolved, and we'd like to help. To get started, we'd like to gather some information to better understand the situation:

• Which iOS version is currently installed on your iPhone? Settings > General > About.
• When did you first noticed this issue?
• Are you seeing these messages in Blue or green bubbles?

You can filter messages from unknown senders using these steps:

Filter messages from unknown senders

You can filter messages from people who aren't saved in your Contacts.

To filter messages, go to Settings > Messages, scroll down and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.

In Messages, tap  Filters, then tap Unknown Senders. You won't get notifications for these messages.

Report spam or junk in the Messages app

You can report iMessages that look like spam or junk from the Messages app. If you get an iMessage from someone who's not saved in your Contacts, you'll see a Report Junk link under the message.

Tap Report Junk, then tap Delete and Report Junk. Messages will forward the sender's information and the message to Apple, as well as delete the message.

Reporting junk doesn't block the sender from being able to send another message. If you don't want to receive these messages, you need to block the contact.

To report SMS and MMS messages, contact your carrier.

Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone or iPad

We hope this information is useful. Kind regards.

aarrkkeejj wrote:

I have “filter unknown numbers” on in my iMessage settings but I continue to get spam messages and notifications

That sorts the SMS messages into the known senders and unknown senders buckets. It does not discard unknown senders.

You can set the unknown senders to not disturb you, if all of those that would be sending you SMS messages are known.

Settings > Messages > Notifications > Customize Notifications > Unknown Senders (off)

Hi aarrkkeejj,

Try setting a schedule using Do Not Disturb. This will prevent unwanted alerts during the time that you set. This article goes over the feature and explains how: Use Do Not Disturb with Focus on your iPhone or iPad.

You may also be able to contact your carrier for blocking options.

Cheers!

Hi aarrkkeejj,

As you indicate they are getting filtered, checking to verify which messages you should view will be next.

In the Messages app, tap Filters in the upper-left corner. Here you should be presented with several options including All Messages, Known Senders, Unknown Senders, and Unread Messages. Choose Known Senders to view only messages that have not been filtered and see if this addresses the concern.

If not, toggling the setting to filter the unknown messages may prove helpful or contact Apple Support to investigate this function further.

Regards.