Have you been receiving those fake/spammy FaceTime group calls on your iOS devices? If yes, then by now you should be having thoughts in mind on how to block FaceTime group calls.
Well, according to Ars Technica, many FaceTime users are getting bombarded with group calls from unknown numbers, and often received them as many as 20 times in a short span of time during late-night hours.
Additionally, an Apple user posted his experience on Apple’s official forum page, in which he stated that he started getting FaceTime group calls which was a mixture of his own contacts and random numbers.
Not only this, many users were tempted to find out who was on the other side, so they picked up the call, and found that there were only some creepy wall arts on each and every screen.
Sounds creepy and scary at the same time, right?
So, let’s try to dig up some solutions.
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How to Block FaceTime Group Calls?
If you are searching for a perfect solution for this query, I am devastated to break this to you, that there is no proven solution that can block these spammy yet creepy FaceTime group calls permanently.
Yet, you can always try to block those spammy numbers, change the number on the FaceTime app or disable the FaceTime app for good, until Apple officially rolls over a solution.
Now, if you have decided to try these above-mentioned solutions, I recommend you to read the entire article for step-by-step tutorial.
#1. Blocking contact on FaceTime:
The first solution that I will recommend you is to try to block those numbers which are causing this nuisance, and to do that just follow these simple steps:
- Open the “Phone” or “FaceTime app.”
- Now, scroll through the recent call list. If you have opened up the Phone app, then just tap on “Recents” at the bottom to access the recent call list.
- Tap on the “(i)” icon which is next to the contact you want to block. (It can be a number or an email address.)
- Scroll to the bottom of the contact page to find the “Block this Caller” option.
- Finally, tap on the “Block this Caller” option to block the contact.
- Similarly, you should initiate this process for each contact from that particular group, to stop spammy FaceTime calls permanently.
Although, this is not full proof, as the spammer can easily equip another number or email address, and start spamming you again.
#2. Enabling Do Not Disturb Mode:
We all know “Do Not Disturb” mode works by blocking every notification and call unless you turn it off. And thus, it can come in handy if you want to block those annoying FaceTime group calls.
But how?
Don’t worry and just follow these steps:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Scroll to find the “Do Not Disturb” option.
- Now, just tap on the toggle beside the “Do Not Disturb” option to green, so that it turns on.
- You have successfully enabled “Do Not Disturb” mode.
Although, if you are expecting some urgent calls, or want to keep the window open for emergency contact numbers, then you should fetch those contacts into the “Allow Calls From” list. And to do so follow these simple steps:
- Firstly, go into the Contacts app.
- Tap on the contact that you want to bypass while on Do Not Disturb.
- Scroll down to the bottom of that contact’s page.
- Select, the iPhone option.
- Similarly, you can add as many contacts that you want to label into the favorite section.
- Now, go to the Settings app.
- Tap on the “Allow Calls From” option.
- Finally, select “Favourite” from the list of options.
- Done, you have successfully allowed your favorite contacts to bypass the “Do Not Disturb” mode.
Similarly, if you want to create your personalized group of contacts, you can easily do it by following these simple steps:
- Go to iCloud.com from your Mac or Windows PC.
- Click on the Contacts app.
- Now, search for a “plus sign (+)” in the left-most column near the bottom of the screen, and then click on it.
- Select “New Group”, and rename it as per your convenience.
- Now, add your desired contacts into that group to make it more appealing and customized.
- Access the Settings > Do Not Disturb option from your iPhone.
- Finally, tap on the “Allow Calls From” menu and select the appropriate group of your choice.
Note: If you cannot access a PC or Mac, don’t worry because you can still personalize the groups by using a free iOS app called “Groups” right from your iPad or iPhone.
#3. Disabling FaceTime:
This is the most solid solution that I can pitch in front of you, because disabling the FaceTime app also disables those spammy FaceTime group calls permanently, until you decide to enable FaceTime again.
So, to disable the FaceTime app just follow these simple steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the “FaceTime” option.
- Click on the toggle button, next to the FaceTime option to switch it off.
- Done, you have successfully disabled the FaceTime app.
But what if you want to disable FaceTime on your macOS?
No problem, I got you buddy!
- Open the FaceTime app.
- Go to the Menu bar.
- Tap on FaceTime.
- Click on the “Preferences” option, and then uncheck “Enable this account.”
- Done, you have successfully disabled the FaceTime app on your macOS.
#4. Removing your number from FaceTime:
What if you only want to block spammy FaceTime group calls while still allowing your important contacts?
Well, you can try removing your primary contact number and fetching it with an email id, instead of disabling the FaceTime app completely. And to do so, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on FaceTime.
- Tap on your phone number under the “You Can Be Reached By FaceTime At” section, to remove the checkmark.
- Tap on any other email address you wish to allot to the FaceTime app by toggling them on or off.
- Done. You have successfully replaced your phone number with the email id.
Now, you can easily keep your mind cool as the spam FaceTime calls won’t bother you anymore. Although, you should inform your important contacts about the change, and provide them with the specific email id, if you want them to contact you on FaceTime in the future.
Additionally, you can also add a new email id or phone number to the list by;
- Going to https://appleid.apple.com on the browser.
- Then sign in with your Apple ID.
- Click the “Edit” button, in the “Account” section.
- Scroll down to the “Contactable at or Reachable At” option.
- Now, click on “Add More.”
- Select, Email address or Phone number option accordingly.
- Type Email Address or Phone number appropriately.
- Finally, confirm your new contact by entering the verification code sent to the email address or phone number.
Note: While adding a phone number it will need to be able to receive SMS messages for verification purposes, unlike other scenarios like two-factor authentication, where Apple usually sends the verification code via a voice call.
#5. Contact Apple Advisor:
If these above-mentioned solutions did not work, then it will be much better to contact Apple customer care support, who can help you solve and block spammy FaceTime group calls.
Final Remarks on “how to block FaceTime group calls”
FaceTime as an app can be useful at times when you want to contact your loved ones or arrange a professional meeting on a video call. Although, due to such famous FaceTime group call scams, many users got extremely disturbed and annoyed.
Therefore, try using the solutions mentioned in the article that will help you to block FaceTime group calls in just a few steps.
