“My granddaughter says she texted me, but I never got it.” If this sounds familiar, the message probably arrived safely. It’s just sitting in a different list.

Since iOS 26, iPhones can screen texts from unknown senders. Messages from numbers that aren’t in your contacts are moved into a separate Unknown Senders list, so scam texts don’t clutter your main conversations. It’s a great protection, but it can hide messages from new numbers you actually want to hear from.

How to find messages from unknown senders

  1. Open Messages (the green speech-bubble icon).
  2. Tap the Filters button. It’s near the top of the screen.
  3. Tap Unknown Senders.

You’ll see texts from numbers that aren’t in your contacts, including real ones from family members with new numbers, delivery drivers and appointment reminders.

How to move someone into your main list

  1. In Messages, tap Filters, then Unknown Senders.
  2. Tap the conversation you want to move.
  3. Tap Mark as Known.

From now on, texts from that person appear in your main list.

Plain talk

Replying to someone doesn’t move them. Apple says that answering a message from an unknown sender doesn’t mark them as known. Tap Mark as Known, or save them in Contacts.

How to turn the filter on or off

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then Messages.
  3. Scroll down to Unknown Senders.
  4. Turn Screen Unknown Senders on or off.

You can also get there from inside Messages: tap Filters, then Manage Filtering.

Our advice: keep it on, and do these three things

  1. Save important numbers in Contacts: family, friends, doctor, pharmacy, bank and regular services. Saved numbers always land in your main list.
  2. Check Unknown Senders once or twice a week, or whenever you’re expecting a message from someone new.
  3. Never tap links in texts from unknown senders. If a text says it’s from your bank, a delivery company or a toll road, go straight to the official app or website instead.

Safety tip

A text from an unknown number saying “Hi Mom, I’ve lost my phone, this is my new number” is a well-known scam. Call your child on their old number, or ask your family safe word, before doing anything. See how to set up a family safe word.

Try this

Open your Unknown Senders list now. For any real person or business you find, tap Mark as Known, then delete the rest.

For scam calls, read what “Ask Reason for Calling” means on iPhone.