Getting random calls from numbers you don’t even recognise has become one of the biggest annoyances on WhatsApp today. Spammers, scammers, and telemarketers have realised that all they need is your phone number to start calling you on the app. It becomes especially frustrating when your phone rings during dinner, important work meetings, or worse, in the middle of the night.
To tackle this growing problem, WhatsApp introduced the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature. It offers a smart middle ground between blocking calls and staying reachable. Unknown numbers won’t disturb you with ringing calls, but you can still see who tried to contact you later.
Why Does This Feature Matter?
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Think about the last spam call you got. Maybe someone tried selling you something, or it was a suspicious scam. These calls waste your time and put your personal information at risk. Some scammers are so good at what they do that even tech-savvy people fall victim.
Silencing unknown callers stops these interruptions. Spam callers can’t ring through, but you won’t accidentally miss a call from your doctor, a new office number, or that contractor you have been waiting to hear from. The call still shows up in your history; it just doesn’t make noise.
Here is what makes this better than other options: blocked numbers know they are blocked when their calls don’t go through. With silenced calls, they have no idea. The call goes through on their end, but your phone stays quiet. You check the call history later when it suits you.
Setting It Up On Android
- Pull out your Android phone and open WhatsApp. See those three dots vertically in the upper right corner? Tap the menu dropdown, then select Settings from the list.
- Now you are in settings. Look for Privacy and tap it. You will see a bunch of options related to who can see your information and contact you. Scroll down past the Last Seen and Profile Photo settings until you hit Calls.
- Under Calls, there is a simple toggle for Silence Unknown Callers. Switch it on. Done. From now on, calls from numbers not saved in your contacts will stay silent.
iPhone Setup Process
- iPhone users have a slightly different layout, but the same results. Open WhatsApp and look at the bottom of your screen. The Settings icon sits in the lower right; tap it.
- Once you are in settings, find Privacy in the list. Tap that, and you will get the same privacy controls Android users see. Scroll through the options until you reach Calls.
- The Silence Unknown Callers toggle is right there. Switch it on, and you are protected. Your phone will only ring for people you have saved as contacts or have previously messaged.
Want To Block Instead?
Sometimes, silencing is not enough. Maybe you have someone who keeps calling even after you have told them to stop. Or it clearly is a scam call. That’s when blocking makes sense.
Blocking is permanent and absolute. The blocked number can’t call you, can’t message you, and can’t see your status updates. They are completely cut off from reaching you on WhatsApp. You can block numbers directly from the Calls tab or from chat conversations.
The difference between silencing and blocking comes down to this: silence is for general spam protection and unknown numbers. Blocking is for specific people or numbers you never want to hear from again.
Conclusion
Imagine silencing your entire phone while still waiting for an important call from your boss. With the Silence Unknown Callers feature, random WhatsApp calls from spam numbers don’t interrupt you, while genuine calls from saved contacts come through without a problem.
This feature is especially useful if you work from home or need to stay reachable for family emergencies. Important calls ring as usual, while spam stays quiet. You remain accessible without exposing yourself to constant interruptions.
The call history option adds another layer of control. If a legitimate business or service calls from an unsaved number, you can review the call later and return it when convenient. It’s a smarter, calmer way to manage WhatsApp calls without missing out on what actually matters.
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