Tired of SMS Spam? iOS 11 Offers Powerful Solutions!
Scrolling through your phone, you’re bombarded with unwanted texts: "Double your money with these stocks!" or "Exclusive offer from your local store!" This constant barrage of SMS spam is frustrating and disruptive, especially for those who rely heavily on the Messages app. Thankfully, iOS 11 has introduced a new feature that empowers you to take control of your inbox and finally block unwanted messages. While previous iOS versions provided limited options, the latest update allows third-party apps to step in and become your personal SMS spam crusaders.
Finding the Right Shield: Exploring Top SMS Blocking Apps
Before diving into the tactics, it’s important to understand that allowing these third-party apps access to your SMS messages is a necessary step to effectively combat spam. Naturally, this raises concerns about privacy, so thoroughly review the privacy policies of any chosen apps and ensure they are reputable. Don’t worry, these apps only affect SMS and MMS messages, leaving your iMessage interactions untouched.
Step-by-Step: Enabling SMS Spam Blocking
- Download an SMS Spam Blocking app: The App Store offers a wide selection, but we’ve highlighted some of the top contenders below.
- Head over to Settings > Messages.
- Under Message Filtering, tap Unknown & Spam.
- Within SMS Filtering, select your chosen spam blocking app.
Top Three Picks: Unveiling the Best SMS Spam Blocking Apps
Our team has rigorously tested numerous apps to identify the most effective SMS spam blockers in iOS 11, and here are the three that emerged as top contenders:
SMS Shield: Intelligent Blocking with a Price Tag
SMS Shield, a subscription-based app (Rs. 300 per year), takes a comprehensive approach to spam blocking. It employs powerful machine learning algorithms to detect and filter out unwanted messages, and it also allows you to manually block messages using keywords or sender IDs. By using the Custom Block List feature, you can prevent all texts originating from specific shortcodes, like “VK-HLACHF”, by simply adding * -HLACHF to your blocked list.
While SMS Shield excels in its automatic blocking capabilities, it lacks an easy way to create a whitelist. However, you can manually report messages as non-spam by pasting the text into the app, allowing it to learn your preferences. Its effectiveness and robust features make SMS Shield a top contender for users who prioritize a strong spam filter.
SMS Checker: Free Basic Blocking, Paid for Advance Features
SMS Checker shines with its flexibility and customizable options. While the free version lets you block messages manually by entering specific keywords, unlocking the online filters for automatic blocking requires a one-time in-app purchase of Rs. 500. This makes SMS Checker a great choice for those seeking a balance between free features and expanded functionality.
The app offers seamless whitelist and blacklist management, with multiple toggles for customizing the blocking criteria based on keywords in the message or sender ID. Despite its strong manual blocking prowess, SMS Checker’s automatic blocking may not be as effective as SMS Shield, but the app is constantly evolving based on user feedback and data. If you seek a customizable and budget-friendly solution, SMS Checker is worth exploring.
VeroSMS: A Free Option, Manual Effort Required
VeroSMS is a free app that allows you to block spam messages manually by adding specific keywords. While this offers a basic spam filtering experience, an in-app purchase of Rs. 80 unlocks the capability to block messages based on crowdsourced keywords. If you aren’t willing to invest in a subscription and value a free option, VeroSMS can be surprisingly effective with some manual effort.
The app empowers you to create your own "Junk Folder" by entering keywords, which can include sender names like "HLACHF" or even company names like "DUNKIN". However, VeroSMS requires more manual intervention compared to SMS Shield and SMS Checker. If you’re patient and willing to take a hands-on approach, VeroSMS is a serviceable option.
Honorable Mentions: Apps That Didn’t Quite Make the Cut
While these three apps emerged as clear frontrunners, several other apps were tested and fell short. Truecaller, known for blocking spam calls and messages, surprisingly failed to filter spam effectively in our tests. SMS Blocker offered underwhelming aesthetics, while SMS Filter suffered from intrusive ads within the free version.
Final Thoughts: Claiming Back Control of Your Inbox
Ultimately, the best SMS spam blocking app for you depends on your personal needs and preferences. If you value comprehensive automation and don’t mind a subscription, SMS Shield delivers a powerful and intelligent solution. Those seeking customization and a budget-friendly option will find SMS Checker to be a versatile choice. Finally, if you prefer a free app and are willing to manually curate your keyword list, VeroSMS can be a suitable option.
Don’t let SMS spam overwhelm your inbox! Explore these apps, empower yourself with control, and reclaim the peace and clarity that only a spam-free messages app can provide.
