Skip to Content

iOS 13.3 Includes Improvements to Minimize Junk Messages

by

In a new support document, Apple has indicated that iOS 13.3 includes improvements to further minimize junk messages in the Messages app.

ios13 iphone xs settings message imessage send receive
If you are trying to send a message to someone and you see an alert on your device that says the message was delivered as junk, Apple has provided some potential solutions to get around that:

- Ask the person that you're trying to message to add your phone number to their Contacts.
- Ask the person that you're trying to message to send you a message to start the conversation.
- On your device, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive and make sure that only your phone number is selected under Start New Conversations From. If your Apple ID is selected, the messages will be delivered as junk.
- If you're on an iPad or iPod touch, turn on Text Message Forwarding from your iPhone.

iOS 13.3 was publicly released earlier today.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Top Rated Comments

81 months ago
"Ask the person that you're trying to message to send you a message to start the conversation."

How is that any different than you sending them a message to start the conversation?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ntombi Avatar
81 months ago

Every junk message I get appears in Unknown Senders. TBH it's a worthless feature.
I wish mine did!

I have an Ohio area code, even though I now live in SoCal (I've had the number for >20 years, through four states), and I get a ridiculous number of spam texts from political candidates, organizations, and pollsters.

None of them go to my “unknown senders” section. I can’t block all calls and texts from non-contacts, so I’m stuck with them for now.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gsmornot Avatar
81 months ago
You will have to call, email or talk to the person in person to ask them to add you. Might as well just not know them anymore. Just kidding.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago

this is great and all but what about regular sms. There needs to be something similar to block or send to junk any messages from “unknown” numbers like the calls
There is a way to filter such messages: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/filter-and-block-messages-iph203ab0be4/ios
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
81 months ago

"Ask the person that you're trying to message to send you a message to start the conversation."

How is that any different than you sending them a message to start the conversation?
Heard of phone calls? Or emails? Or speaking?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
I7guy Avatar
81 months ago

Ask them to add you to your contacts? What is this? 1950?
Whitelist your contacts. What a novel idea.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

tim cook data privacy day

Tim Cook Warned by CIA That China Could Move on Taiwan by 2027

Tuesday February 24, 2026 4:03 am PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook was among a handful of top tech executives who attended a classified CIA briefing warning that China could attack Taiwan by 2027, according to a sweeping investigative report by The New York Times ($). The previously unreported briefing was apparently held in a secure room in Silicon Valley in July 2023. The meeting is said to have been arranged at the request of the...
iphone fold text

iPhone Fold Crease Measurements Revealed as Device Hits Production

Wednesday February 25, 2026 5:37 am PST by
Apple has submitted production line orders for its upcoming foldable iPhone, effectively confirming that the device will launch this year, claims a Chinese leaker. According to the Weibo account "Fixed Focus Digital," assembly lines recently received the orders from Apple, which has apparently allowed the leaker to learn the crease measurements for the device's 7.8-inch inner display....
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Reportedly Plans to Unveil at Least Five New Products Next Week

Sunday February 22, 2026 9:48 am PST by
In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple will have a three-day stretch of product announcements from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4. In total, he expects Apple to introduce "at least five products." Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. A week ago, Apple invited selected journalists and content creators to an "Apple Experience" in...