ios 26 not turning call filtering off

Apple jumped the gun and released iOS 26 too early.


The Call Filtering and Message Filtering (unknown numbers) is a nice idea, but “On” should have NEVER BEEN THE DEFAULT.


I need unknown numbers to come through: main calling lines from businesses, support lines, etc. like the “Outgoing only” numbers coming to my phone from the bank.


let user choose whether or not we want to use the feature. ESEPCIALLY since even though I’ve turned OFF call filtering, and I cannot answer unknown numbers even Apple Support tried calling me back to help, and it sent Apple straight to voicemail since I don’t have the number saved in my contacts.


Massive Fail Apple.

iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 16, 2025 5:16 PM

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Posted on Sep 16, 2025 5:33 PM

You mentioned the Call Filtering setting, but not the option for Silence Unknown Caller. I suspect you don't have them both turned off or in the case of Silence Unknown Callers, set to Never. With those options detailed by Lawrence Finch, all calls work exactly like they always did.

Manage unknown callers on iPhone - Apple Support


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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 16, 2025 5:33 PM in response to ACuculich

You mentioned the Call Filtering setting, but not the option for Silence Unknown Caller. I suspect you don't have them both turned off or in the case of Silence Unknown Callers, set to Never. With those options detailed by Lawrence Finch, all calls work exactly like they always did.

Manage unknown callers on iPhone - Apple Support


Sep 16, 2025 9:10 PM in response to Mac Jim ID

No, both were automatically turned on, same with messages. All are turned off. Yet, unknown numbers (any phone number not saved to my contacts) are sent straight to voicemail; with only a half ring to show the ID upon “receiving” the call. Apple Support called me 3 times, all sent straight to voicemail because their number was not saved in my contacts. Once saved; could answer the call.


[Edited by Moderator]

Sep 16, 2025 9:11 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

No, in messages and in the phone “app”s both had the filtering/screening settings set to on upon updating to iOS26. I did turn them off. I toggled. I reset my phone. I reset network settings (don’t know why; I did have full cell service to make calls and receive the notification of incoming calls. I noticed the messages filter was automatically on when I did not receive the appointment confirmation from my dr (at one of those 5 digit messaging numbers) and it never showed up. Until I turned off the filter unknown numbers. Did the same for my phone calls, and thought toggled off, unknown numbers are sent directly to voicemail after a half ring.

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ios 26 not turning call filtering off

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