Learn how to have WhatsApp silence calls from unknown numbers on iPhone, Android, and desktop to reduce spam and boost your privacy.
Anyone with your phone number can check if you’re on WhatsApp and call you there without saving your number. By default, WhatsApp permits anyone to call you, even if you haven’t saved them as a contact or interacted with them before.
To make it harder for scam callers, unknown international numbers, and unsolicited businesses to disturb you, you can change a setting in WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business to automatically silence unknown callers from people not in your contacts.
What happens when you turn on this feature
When a person not in your contacts list calls you:
- WhatsApp won’t bring up the incoming call screen or play a ringtone. However, you may get a notification to inform you the app has silenced the call.
- Unknown callers won’t disturb you but their call still shows up in WhatsApp’s Calls tab and in the notifications section.
- If you call or message the silenced caller, you won’t be able to silence their calls in the future. Instead, mute or block their number.
Silence unknown callers on WhatsApp
Follow these steps to silence unknown callers in WhatsApp for iPhone, Android and Mac.
iPhone
- Open WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business on your iPhone and select the Settings tab.
- Choose Privacy from the main settings menu,.
- Tap Calls.
- Turn on the Silence Unknown Callers switch.
Android
- Tap the three-dotted menu in the top-right corner of WhatsApp for Android and choose Settings.
- Select Privacy.
- Tap Calls.
- Toggle on the Silence Unknown Callers option.
Mac
- Click the settings icon in the bottom-left corner of WhatsApp for Mac.
- Click Privacy, followed by Calls.
- Check the box next to Silence Unknown Callers.
The setting is unavailable in WhatsApp’s web app and the WhatsApp Windows app.
Can I view silenced calls on WhatsApp?
Yes. Your iPhone won’t ring when an unknown caller buzzes you, but you’ll find all silenced calls in WhatsApp’s call list. Plus, you’ll receive a silent notification for each silenced calls. If a silenced caller messages you, hit Silenced unknown caller to return the call without switching to the Calls tab.
Silencing vs. blocking
If you often receive calls from people you haven’t chatted with before, then the silencing option is for you. Maybe they harvested your phone number from your social media profiles or your friend gave it to them. Regardless, you have the power to stop unwanted calls and boost your privacy on WhatsApp.
Silencing unwanted calls also reduces distractions, letting you focus on the task at hand while preserving your privacy. It’s a much more useful option than blocking for two reasons. Firstly, silenced calls are still listed under the Calls tab. And secondly, you can return calls to unknown numbers.
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