It isn't your imagination. More than half of Americans say they get unwanted calls every day in the next two years.

You can dramatically reduce the number of calls you receive by blocking the calls that arrive as private calls.

Even though Apple doesn't give you an easy way to block Unknown, Private, or No Caller ID calls on your phone, there are a few ways to do it.

How to block private calls on an iPhone using Do Not Disturb Mode

It's the most effective way to limit calls, but it's not without its drawbacks.

You can change the Do Not Disturb mode on the phone to allow calls from your contacts list to be made.

Any calls that aren't already in your contacts list will go to voicemail.

Keep an eye on your voicemail for important calls if you try this approach.

This is the first thing. To start the settings app, tap on focus and then do not disturb

Screenshot of the iPhone Focus menu with the Do Not Disturb option highlighted.
You can specify exactly how your iPhone behaves when in Do Not Disturb mode from the Settings app.
Kyle Wilson/Insider

There are two There are people who want to tap them.

Screenshot of the iPhone Do Not Disturb menu with the People option highlighted.
Tap People.
Kyle Wilson/Insider

There are three. Select all the contacts you want to tap from the list.

Screenshot of the iPhone Allowed Notifications and Phone Calls (Calls From) menu side by side.
Allow all of your contacts through in Do Not Disturb mode and then turn it on to keep telemarketers at bay.
Kyle Wilson/Insider

The Control Center can be opened from the top right or bottom of the screen and only people in your contacts list will ring through.

If you want, you can set it so that if a second call comes in from the same number, it won't be blocked. If someone in your group needs to reach you in an emergency, this could be helpful.

How to block calls on an iPhone from specific private callers

You can block specific calls in the phone app, but you can't block all calls.

Screenshot of the iPhone contact screen with the block button highlighted.
You can block specific private callers, but only after they've already called you once.
Kyle Wilson/Insider

Don't forget that telemarketers use huge phone banks to place calls. A telemarketer might place calls from many different numbers and also spoof legitimate numbers of people to make it appear as though they are calling you.

blocking individual callers won't have a big impact on the number of calls you get.

If you click the "i" information button on the right of the call log, it will cause you to call them back and you could incur long-distance charges.