How to Silence Calls From Unknown Numbers on WhatsApp

WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. Its convenient features like free voice and video calling make it easy to stay connected with friends and family. However, you may get calls from unknown numbers that you don’t want to answer. WhatsApp gives you options to silence calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp.

Block All Incoming Calls from Strangers

One way is to block all incoming voice and video calls from people who are not in your contacts list. Here is how to do it:

1. Open WhatsApp and tap on the More options icon (3 dots) at the top right.
2. Select Settings > Account > Privacy.
3. Under Who can call me, choose the “My Contacts” option.

This will restrict calls only from people saved in your phone’s address book. Anyone else trying to call you on WhatsApp will get a message that you are not accepting calls at this time. Check out How To Enable the ‘Silence Unknown Caller’ Feature On WhatsApp.

Block Specific Numbers

If you get disturbing or spam calls from certain numbers, you can block those numbers specifically. Follow these steps:

1. Open the chat window with the contact you want to block.
2. Tap on the contact’s name at the top and select More > Block contact.
3. Confirm by tapping Block.

This will block the person from calling or sending you messages. Their messages will no longer reach you and your profile photo will disappear from their chat screen.

To find blocked contacts later, go to Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts. Tap on Unblock next to a contact to remove the block.

Blocked Contact Calling You? Follow These Steps

If a blocked contact finds your alternate number and calls you, follow these steps on WhatsApp:

1. Open the chat window with the blocked contact.
2. Tap on the call icon at the top right.
3. Select Block Contact. This will re-block them and prevent further calls.

So even if a blocked person manages to call you, you can quickly block them again right from WhatsApp chat.

Silence Calls with Do Not Disturb Mode

The Do Not Disturb mode is another handy option to silence unwanted calls. Turn it on and you will not hear any incoming call ringtones or notifications. To enable it:

1. Open WhatsApp Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb.
2. Tap on Enable.

This will mute all WhatsApp notifications. To allow calls and messages from specific contacts like family, follow these steps:

1. In Do Not Disturb settings, tap on Allow calls and/or messages from.
2. Select Contacts, Groups or Starred Messages.

WhatsApp will now only notify you of calls and messages from the selected options. The rest will be muted.

Customize DND Based on Time

You can also schedule Do Not Disturb to automatically turn on and off during certain times:

1. In DND settings, tap on Set time range.
2. Set start and end times for DND mode.

WhatsApp will now go into Do Not Disturb mode during the set hours. This is great for avoiding unwanted calls during the night or work hours.

Exceptions – Allow Calls from Contacts

While DND mode is enabled, you can allow calls from certain important contacts:

1. In DND settings, tap on Calls > Allow calls from.
2. Select Contacts, Starred Contacts or Groups.

This way only calls from the selected names will reach you. The rest will get muted by DND mode.

Allow Repeated Calls to Ring

If someone calls you multiple times within a short gap, it could be urgent. You can allow such repeated calls to ring during DND mode:

1. In DND settings, Allow repeated calls.
2. Select Within 3 minutes to allow calls to ring again within 3 mins.

So if someone calls you 2 times or more within 3 mins, the calls will ring on WhatsApp even in DND mode.

Auto Reject Calls from Unknown Numbers

Unlike blocking, call rejection allows you to silently decline calls without notifying the sender. To auto-reject unknown callers:

1. Open WhatsApp Settings > Calls > Call Settings.
2. Enable Call Waiting and Call Rejection.
3. Tap on Call rejection > Reject calls from Unknown callers

Now all calls from numbers not saved in your phone’s contact list will be automatically rejected. The caller will hear a disconnect tone instead of a ringtone. They will not know you rejected their call.

Reject Call Only Once

If you don’t want to entirely block a number but reject their call once, here are the steps:

1. When you get an incoming call, swipe up on your screen.
2. Tap on Reject call once.

This will disconnect the call. If they call again, it will ring normally.

So with the above options – blocking, do not disturb and call rejection, you can silence unwanted calls on WhatsApp without hassle. Use contact exceptions if you still wish to receive calls from specific people while silencing unknown numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about silencing calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp:

1. How do I stop strangers from calling me on WhatsApp?

You can stop calls from strangers by going to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy and selecting “My Contacts” under Who Can Call Me. This will restrict calls only from your phone contacts.

2. Can I block someone without them knowing?

Yes, when you block a contact on WhatsApp, they do not receive any notification. Your profile photo and status also disappear from their chat screen. They will be unable to call or message you after blocking.

3. Will silence call stop all notifications from WhatsApp?

No, silencing calls will only mute call ringtones and notifications. You will still get message notifications unless you enable Do Not Disturb mode which mutes all notifications.

4. How can I allow calls from family while silencing unknown numbers?

Use the Do Not Disturb exceptions to allow calls from selected Contacts, Starred Contacts or Groups while silencing other numbers.

5. Can I schedule WhatsApp to silence calls at night?

Yes, in DND settings you can schedule a time range like night hours when you want WhatsApp to automatically go into Do Not Disturb mode and silence all calls and notifications.

6. Will rejecting a call notify the caller?

No, when you auto-reject unknown calls, the caller will not get any rejection notification. They will simply hear a disconnected tone when you reject their call.

7. How frequently can I reject calls from the same number?

You can select the ‘Reject call once’ option when receiving a call. This will reject their call just once and if they call again it will ring normally.

8. Can I allow important repeat calls while silencing other numbers?

Yes, you can use the DND setting ‘Allow repeated calls‘ to allow calls that come 2 or more times within 3 minutes, even from unknown numbers.

9. How do I unblock someone I blocked on WhatsApp?

Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked Contacts. Tap Unblock next to the contact you want to unblock. This will remove the previously blocked contact.

10. Can I get calls from unknown numbers on WhatsApp?

If you have allowed calls from “Everyone” in WhatsApp settings, strangers can call you even without having your number saved. To prevent this, restrict calls to Contacts or use call blocking and silencing options.