No Caller ID vs. Unknown Caller on Your iPhone: What’s the Difference?

Calls from mystery numbers can be annoying, especially if you’re trying to avoid scams or avoid talking to someone you can’t immediately identify. But there are two different ways these undefined numbers can be labeled on yours iPhone: No caller ID and unknown caller. So what’s the difference?

Here’s what you need to know about each label and how to protect yourself from potential call scams.

No caller ID against unknown caller

Call with tag “No caller ID” means that the caller has blocked their number from being displayed on your screen. In other words, they want to keep their identity a secret. This may be a privacy measure, but it’s also a tool used by scammers – if you can’t quickly check who the caller is based on their number, it can be easier to fall into their trap.

“Unknown caller,” on the other hand, is the message that appears when your telephone service provider does not recognize who is calling. This can be down to several factors, including network or technical problems, or receiving calls from foreign numbers. Often these callers are not intentionally trying to hide their identity, but it’s still a good idea to be cautious Scammers can also use this method to disguise their identity by using a phone that not registered with the telephone company, for example.

What to do if you receive an anonymous call

You should always proceed with caution if you cannot identify the caller. This is especially important if someone calls you and “No Caller ID” appears on the screen because they have intentionally kept their number hidden. But the unknown caller is also something to be wary of as it becomes harder to really identify who is on the other end of the line.

Letting the call go to voicemail is often a good idea. Simply answering a call is a signal to scammers that your number is active, which could lead to more similar calls in the future. The Live voicemail feature is especially useful for these situations because it allows you to accept the call if the voicemail transcript indicates that it is someone you want to speak to.

Mute unknown callers on your iPhone

You can even go a step further and mute unknown callers on your iPhone. That way, those mystery callers won’t bother you and may just leave a voicemail for you to check later.

On your iPhone, go to Settingsthen tap Applications followed by Phone and go to Mute unknown callers. Press the switch to turn it on.

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Use applications to block unidentified calls

Although there is no way to block these anonymous calls in your iPhone settings, your the wireless carrier may offer applications to help with this.

AT&T ActiveArmorfor example, there is a free version that blocks spam and scam calls and also allows you to block all unknown callers. The advanced version, which costs $4 per month, includes tools like reverse number lookup and caller ID for unknown numbers. ActiveArmor is available for iOS and Android.

Verizon’s Call Filter app also offers spam detection, a spam filter, and a number reporting option, all for free. For an additional $4 per month, you’ll get caller ID, spam detection, a personal block list, and a spam risk meter. The call filter is automatically enabled for Android users with a subscription plan and is available in the App Store for iPhone.

T-Mobile’s Scam Shield there is a free option that includes full caller ID, fraud reporting and fraud blocking. There’s also a premium option for $4 per month per line that offers reverse phone number lookups and voicemail transcriptions that are automatically sent to you. You can download Scam Shield app from App Store or Google Play.

Be sure to check with other wireless carriers to see if they offer something similar. Some wireless carrier plans may also include access to premium features.

For more third-party apps to help limit robocalls and general tips, check out ours a guide to stopping spam calls.