Install AntiSpam, then select it as your SMS filter in your iPhone’s message settings. Downloading the app alone does not enable filtering. The App Store listing requires iOS 17.0 or later.
1. Download and open the app
Visit AntiSpam on the App Store. Once installation finishes, open the app and follow its introductory setup guidance.
The download is free, with in-app purchases for Premium features. If you see an offer, review the trial length, price and renewal terms on the purchase screen. Do not assume every user or plan qualifies for the same trial.
2. Find the settings for your iOS version
iOS 17: Open Settings, then Messages. Look for message filtering and the Unknown & Spam options.
iOS 18: Open Settings → Apps → Messages. Review the message filtering section and the options for unknown messages and SMS filtering.
iOS 26: In the Messages app, use the filter menu to open Manage Filtering. Look under Text Message Filter for third-party filtering options. Apple’s current guide explains how these sit alongside the built-in filtering features.
Labels may vary by device language, region or system version. You can also use the search field in Settings to find Messages. Follow the controls actually shown on your phone rather than searching for an identical older label.
3. Select AntiSpam
Choose AntiSpam in the relevant SMS filter settings and read the explanation displayed by iOS. Enable the required unknown-sender filtering setting as well. Leave the screen, return to it and confirm your selection is still active.
If AntiSpam is missing from the list, check that installation has finished and that you have opened the app at least once. Look for an app update, then close and reopen the settings screen.
How to check that setup is complete
- Find your iOS version under Settings → General → About, then follow the matching settings path in this guide.
- Reopen the SMS filter selection screen and confirm that AntiSpam is selected.
- Locate the main conversation list and filtering sections such as Junk and Unknown Senders in Messages.
- When a new eligible SMS arrives, check its destination folder. Make sure you can also search those folders for an important text.
This checklist checks configuration and access to folders; one message does not measure filtering accuracy. A test text from a saved contact may not exercise the unknown SMS filter. You do not need to give your phone number to a website to obtain spam for testing.
What to expect after setup
The filter evaluates eligible unknown SMS that iOS passes to its extension. Do not expect every old conversation to be reorganised retrospectively, messages from saved contacts to be treated like unknown SMS, or other messaging apps to be filtered.
Review the Junk folder occasionally. If a wanted message is classified incorrectly, use the correction options available in your version of iOS. Our troubleshooting guide explains checks for missing expected messages and unwanted texts that still appear.
To turn filtering off, return to the same settings and change your selection. Disabling the filter or deleting the app does not automatically cancel a subscription. Manage subscriptions separately through your Apple account.