--- title: "Navigating the Unseen: Accessing Your iPhone’s Spam Text Messages Folder | Phish Protection" description: "With the introduction of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, TextNow, and Messenger, the use of text messages has gone down, but not as much." image: "https://phishprotection.com/og/blog/navigating-the-unseen-accessing-your-iphones-spam-text-messages-folder.png" canonical: "https://phishprotection.com/blog/navigating-the-unseen-accessing-your-iphones-spam-text-messages-folder/" --- Quick Answer With the introduction of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, TextNow, and Messenger, the use of text messages has gone down, but not as much. Share [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fnavigating-the-unseen-accessing-your-iphones-spam-text-messages-folder%2F "Share on LinkedIn") [ ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Navigating%20the%20Unseen%3A%20Accessing%20Your%20iPhone%26%238217%3Bs%20Spam%20Text%20Messages%20Folder&url=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fnavigating-the-unseen-accessing-your-iphones-spam-text-messages-folder%2F "Share on X/Twitter") [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fnavigating-the-unseen-accessing-your-iphones-spam-text-messages-folder%2F "Share on Facebook") [ ](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fnavigating-the-unseen-accessing-your-iphones-spam-text-messages-folder%2F&title=Navigating%20the%20Unseen%3A%20Accessing%20Your%20iPhone%26%238217%3Bs%20Spam%20Text%20Messages%20Folder "Share on Reddit") [ ](mailto:?subject=Navigating%20the%20Unseen%3A%20Accessing%20Your%20iPhone%26%238217%3Bs%20Spam%20Text%20Messages%20Folder&body=Check out this article: https%3A%2F%2Fphishprotection.com%2Fblog%2Fnavigating-the-unseen-accessing-your-iphones-spam-text-messages-folder%2F "Share via Email") ![Phish Protection blog post image](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2023/10/office-365-phishing-protection-5547.jpg) With the introduction of instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, TextNow, and Messenger, the use of text messages has gone down, but not as much.[As per a study](https://www.smscomparison.com/sms-statistics/#:~:text=According%20to%20our%20research%2C%2097,3%20minutes%20after%20being%20received.)conducted by SMS comparison, 95% of text messages are read and responded to as early as within 3 minutes of being received. It’s also surprising to find out that the average **open rate for an SMS is 98%**, whereas that for an email is 20% (almost 5 times more probable). Doesn’t this sound like a perfect breeding place for phishers? That’s the very reason why Apple has been safeguarding its users by **automatically blocking** out spam text messages using tools and advanced algorithms that perform trend analysis and come up with dynamic lists of malicious sending sources. [Messages identified as suspicious](https://www.foxnews.com/tech/new-malicious-malware-specifically-targeting-iphones) and potentially harmful are diverted to a junk folder. Let’s know more about the [iPhone’s junk messages](https://techcrunch.com/2022/06/22/apple-is-finally-getting-serious-about-removing-junk-messages/?guccounter=1&guce%5Freferrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce%5Freferrer%5Fsig=AQAAAC7TzrX3KLaYNC7yds8fZMvBvlFAJzyyx9zKaprnE32znPVX8QDTg7KZvs%5FQvj7n0nL6J4BacWce4G9nn7yuvPmsyoVtY1csRGmKXm8pUYhpCv72TypO3s3sli8v-ydAbV-0URJomOHsj2usV6miX7BkLcRcyze7RdJ%5Ff6Rl22SB) or spam text messages folder. ### How to Access Your iPhone’s Spam Text Folder? _[292 million](https://www.slicktext.com/blog/2018/11/44-mind-blowing-sms-marketing-and-texting-statistics/)_\_ people in North America use text messaging and rely on it as one of the legitimate mediums for communication.\_ With so many messages exchanged on a daily basis, one can imagine how many of them could be **fraudulently concealed** under the tag of marketing campaigns. Apple promises to make the **user experience** in [cybersecurity](/content/cybersecurity-in-a-nutshell) intuitive, however, the part of [handling spam text messages](/phishing/smishing-organizations-need-to-keep-safe-from-phishing-scam) is somewhat discreet. So, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to access it for yourself: --- ![Office 365 phishing protection](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2023/10/office-365-phishing-protection-5547.jpg) #### Open the Messages App Unlock your phone and locate the green icon labeled as ‘Messages.’ **Open the app**. --- #### Go to the List of Messages Once you open the Messages app, you’ll see a list of messages displaying conversations. Look for the **‘Back’ arrow** in the upper-left corner and tap on it to go to the main Messages screen. --- #### Go to the Unknown Senders List Look for the section labeled as ‘**Unknown Senders**.’ This section is dedicated to [messages from numbers that aren’t saved](https://abc7chicago.com/scam-text-messages-texts-phone-hacking-report-junk/13619711/) in your iPhone’s ‘Contacts’ list. --- #### Review and Manage Messages Now, click on the ‘Unknown Senders’ folder and **review a list of messages** that the [iPhone’s SMS Filter](https://www.livemint.com/news/india/apple-iphone-users-in-india-to-get-12-filters-for-spam-messages-with-ios-16-all-you-need-to-know-11656291161735.html) identifies as malicious. - \_ Here, you can review each message and take **appropriate actions**, such as blocking the sender or deleting the message. ### How to Turn on SMS Filter on iPhone? To [start the filtering process on iPhone](https://www.truecaller.com/blog/features/enhanced-sms-filtering-for-iphone-bid-goodbye-to-messy-a-inbox), you need to follow these easy steps- Open ‘Settings’ on your iPhone. Go to ‘Messages’. Scroll down to ‘Unknown and Spam’ and click it. Enable ‘**Filter Unknown Senders**’ ### Why iPhone’s Spam Text Message Filtering is Efficient? Spam messages aren’t our favorite, right? So, here we have gathered a few reasons that will tell why [malicious messages](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ups-discloses-data-breach-after-exposed-customer-info-used-in-sms-phishing/) **shouldn’t be left to your own devices**, and you should let Apple take care of them. #### Enhanced Security You are a lot less likely to fall victim to a phishing or [spoofing attack](https://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2023-04-22/local-news/Telecom-companies-are-to-blame-for-SMS-spoofing-bank-scams-BOV-says-6736251280) if you **do not come across any spam texts** in the first place. _And this is exactly what the iPhone’s SMS Filter ensures and offers ._ #### Clutter-Free Messaging By segregating spam messages, your main messages folder **remains organized and focused** on conversations with known contacts and important senders like your banks. #### Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence Apple deploys [advanced and trend-setting algorithms](https://www.igeeksblog.com/how-to-use-smart-search-filters-in-messages-on-iphone/) to continuously evaluate patterns and characteristics of spam messages, ensuring even the **newest of the tricks** don’t get past the filter. #### Behavioral Analysis Behavioral patterns like the **frequency of messages** from a particular sender, the abrupt appearance of new contacts, etc., are used to detect phish-y behavior . ![How to prevent phishing](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2023/10/how-to-prevent-phishing-4027.jpg) #### Constant Updates Apple **regularly updates** the iOS software to include new security features and improvements to the [spam filter](/phishing/spam-filters-genuine-marketing-emails-marked-phishing). This ensures that the filter stays up-to-date with the latest spamming techniques and can effectively counter new types of threats. ### In the End The digital landscape is evolving at an unanticipated pace, giving threat actors the opportunity to trick people into sharing [sensitive details](/cybersecurity/sensitive-information-at-risk-as-a-security-breach-hits-us-marshals-service) or making fraudulent financial transactions. Text messages, despite their higher opening and responding rate, benefit from Apple’s advanced algorithms that provide users with robust [phishing protection](/) and shield them from spoofing attempts. These algorithms are designed to enhance security. The steps shared above in this guide allow you to access the junk folder, where you can take better control over your privacy. ## Topics [ Phishing Awareness ](/tags/phishing-awareness/) ![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/authors/brad-slavin.jpg) [ Brad Slavin ](/authors/brad-slavin/) General Manager Founder and General Manager of DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead across DuoCircle's 2,000+ customer base. [LinkedIn Profile →](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin) ## Protect your inbox from phishing attacks Real-time email security with 60-day free trial. No credit card required. [Start Free Trial](https://portal.duocircle.com/cart.php?a=add&pid=101&brand=phishprotection) [View Pricing](/pricing/) ## Related Articles [ Foundational 5m 0ktapus, Okta Breach Helps Attackers Launch Sophisticated Supply Chain Attacks Sep 5, 2022 ](/blog/0ktapus-okta-breach-helps-attackers-launch-sophisticated-supply-chain-attacks/)[ Foundational 14m 12 Real-World Spear Phishing Examples And The Red Flags You Missed Feb 4, 2026 ](/blog/12-real-world-spear-phishing-examples-and-the-red-flags-you-missed/)[ Foundational 2m 8 million Android users fell prey to SpyLoan malware on Google Play Store Dec 5, 2024 ](/blog/8-million-android-users-fell-prey-to-spyloan-malware-on-google-play-store/)[ Foundational 1m A Big Part of the Phishing Problem is You Sep 17, 2019 ](/blog/a-big-part-of-the-phishing-problem-is-you/) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Organization","name":"Phish Protection","url":"https://phishprotection.com","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://phishprotection.com/images/phishprotection-logo.png"},"description":"Advanced phishing protection and email security for businesses. 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