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How to Filter Messages Between Known and Unknown Senders on iPhone or iPad

Introduction

Looking at a text message list loaded with spam and junk is frustrating. One option to help you untangle the clutter on your iPhone or iPad is to turn on filters for your text messages. The filter feature on your iPhone or iPad lets you choose whether you want to see messages from either known or unknown senders.

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Steps to Filter Messages Between Known and Unknown Senders on iPhone or iPad

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down this menu, and then tap “Messages.”
  3. Scroll down to the Message Filtering section, and then tap to turn on the toggle associated with “Filter Unknown Senders.”

Going forward, from your Messages home screen you can tap “Filters” at the top to be taken to a screen where you can see various filtering options for viewing text messages you’ve received on your Apple iPhone or iPad, including the ability to see messages you’ve received from both known and unknown senders.

Reasons to Filter Messages Between Known and Unknown Senders on iPhone or iPad

1. Reducing Spam

Spam is the bane of a tidy inbox. Unsolicited messages can clog up your communication channels, slowing down productivity. By filtering messages, your iPhone or iPad efficiently categorizes potential spam separately. It improves the user experience, making your inbox a cleaner, more manageable space. It’s like having a vigilant gatekeeper, ensuring only the relevant messages pass through.

2. Privacy

Privacy is a paramount concern in our interconnected world. A significant benefit of the filter feature is its contribution to privacy. This setting separates unknown senders, withholding read receipts from them. The sender cannot discern whether you’ve read the message. It’s a digital fortress, safeguarding your communication activity from prying eyes.

3. Organization

Maintaining an organized inbox is easier when unknown senders don’t clutter it. The filter segregates messages, reducing chaos and confusion. It’s akin to having a diligent personal assistant, keeping your communication channels streamlined. The tool ensures that important conversations stand out and don’t get lost amidst the noise.

4. Avoiding Distractions

The constant flow of messages from unknown sources can be a distraction. When these messages are kept separate, it’s easier to focus on the important ones. This separation creates a buffer zone, minimizing the chances of irrelevant communication breaking your concentration. It ensures that your communication experience remains clutter-free and focused.

5. Security

Security is a fundamental concern in the digital age. Filtering messages from unknown senders can bolster your security stance. You’re less likely to open a suspicious link or fall for a scam tucked away in a message if it’s not in your main inbox. It’s a virtual security guard, providing a crucial line of defense against potential threats.

6. Reducing Noise

An overloaded inbox is a noisy one. By creating a separate section for messages from unknown senders, you cut the noise down to a whisper. The tool simplifies navigation, making it easier to locate crucial messages. It’s like having a filter, sifting through the sand and keeping only the valuable nuggets.

7. Preventing Harassment

The filtering feature can be a reliable ally against harassment. When unknown numbers can’t directly reach your main inbox, they lose some power to disturb you. This feature establishes a protective layer, shielding you from potentially distressing messages. It supports a safer, more controlled communication environment.

8. Control

The filter feature gives you the reigns of your digital communication. It lets you decide when and if to engage with messages from unknown senders. It’s not about completely blocking these messages but about empowering users. It’s a tool of autonomy, allowing you to choose your digital interactions.

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About Max

Max has nearly 20 years of experience working in IT across three different industries in project management and management capacities: publishing, telecommunications and healthcare. He holds the following degrees and certifications: BS Communications, MA Communications, MBA and Project Management Professional (PMP). His tutorial-focused YouTube channel earned more than 100,000 subscribers in its first four years, and currently has more than 160,000 subscribers, 110,000,000 video views and an insane 2.4 million hours of watch time. Max enjoys learning new technology, reading and collecting comic books, listening to audiobooks and playing video games.

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