Stop Spam Calls on WhatsApp: How to Silence Unknown Callers on Android and iPhone
A Simple Guide to Mute Calls From Unknown Numbers on WhatsApp
Spam calls on messaging platforms have become increasingly common in recent years. Many users receive unwanted calls from unknown international numbers, which can be frustrating and disruptive. To address this issue, WhatsApp has introduced a useful feature called “Silence Unknown Callers.”
This feature automatically mutes calls from phone numbers that are not saved in your contacts. While these calls will no longer ring on your device, they will still appear in your call history so you can check them later if needed.
The feature was introduced after many users, particularly in India, reported an increase in spam calls from unfamiliar numbers originating from countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.
WhatsApp has also enhanced its spam detection system using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)
The Silence Unknown Callers option is designed to give users better control over incoming calls.
When this feature is enabled:
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Calls from unknown numbers will not ring on your phone.
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These calls will still appear in your call log and notifications.
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Known contacts can continue calling you normally.
This allows users to avoid interruptions from spam or scam calls while still keeping track of who tried to reach them.
Why WhatsApp Introduced This FeatureWith the rise of digital communication, spam and scam calls have become more frequent. Fraudsters often try to contact users through random international numbers.
By enabling this feature, WhatsApp aims to:
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Improve user privacy
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Reduce disturbances from spam calls
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Provide better control over incoming calls
The company has also stated that improvements in its spam detection technology could reduce scam calls by up to 50 percent.
How to Silence Unknown Callers on WhatsAppFollow these steps to enable the feature on your smartphone.
Step 1: Open WhatsAppLaunch the WhatsApp application on your Android or iPhone device.
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On Android, tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right corner and select Settings.
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On iPhone, tap the Settings icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Inside the Settings menu, tap Privacy to access privacy-related options.
Step 4: Select CallsScroll down and tap the Calls option.
Step 5: Enable Silence Unknown CallersTurn on the toggle next to Silence Unknown Callers.
Once enabled, WhatsApp will automatically mute calls from numbers not saved in your contact list.
After activating the feature:
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Unknown numbers will not ring your phone.
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Calls will still be visible in your recent calls list.
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You can review them later to see if any call was important.
This ensures that important calls are not completely blocked while still preventing unwanted disturbances.
How to Block and Report Spam NumbersIf you receive repeated spam calls from a number, you can also block and report the contact.
Steps to Block a Number on WhatsAppOpen the chat with the unknown number
Tap the Block option.
Open the chat with the number.
Tap Report Contact.
Select Report and Block if needed.
Once blocked, the contact will no longer be able to call or message you, and they will not see your profile photo or status updates.
Spam calls can be a major annoyance, especially when they come from unknown international numbers. WhatsApp’s Silence Unknown Callers
By enabling this option, users can enjoy a more peaceful messaging experience while still keeping track of incoming calls that might be important.