How do I only receive text messages from my contacts?

Answered by Tom Adger

To only receive text messages from your contacts, you can adjust the settings on your device to filter out messages from unknown numbers or non-contacts. The specific steps may vary slightly depending on the type of device you are using, but I will provide a general overview of how to do this on both Android and iOS devices.

On Android devices:
1. Open the messaging app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Settings” from the menu that appears.
4. Look for an option called “Spam protection” or “Filter unknown senders” and enable it. This will automatically divert messages from unknown numbers to a separate folder or block them altogether.
5. Additionally, you can also set the app to only receive messages from your contacts. In the app’s settings, look for an option like “Block messages” or “Blocked contacts”. Add any numbers that you want to block or restrict from contacting you.

On iOS devices:
1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap on “Messages”.
3. Look for an option called “Filter Unknown Senders” and toggle it on. This will move messages from unknown numbers to a separate “Unknown Senders” tab in the Messages app, keeping your main inbox free from unwanted messages.
4. To further restrict messages to only contacts, you can enable the “Do Not Disturb” mode. In the “Settings” app, go to “Do Not Disturb” and toggle it on. Then, scroll down and tap on “Allow Calls From” and select “All Contacts”. This will silence and hide notifications for messages and calls from anyone who is not in your contacts.

By following these steps, you will be able to filter out messages from unknown numbers and only receive text messages from your contacts. This can help reduce unwanted messages and keep your messaging app more organized.