Can I block entire area codes from my iPhone? [duplicate]

I get 4-5 telemarketer calls each day. Each time they call, it is from a completely different phone number. Including different area codes.

I've performed all of the usual procedures to combat this.

• Contacted my carrier (AT&T). They will block 30 or so numbers for free but then it costs after that. This is useless because I get 30 different numbers in a week. AT&T suggested changing my number (for a FEE).

• I've changed my number. It went from bad to worse. I actually get more on this new number. I swear I don't put my number out there, I don't sign up for garbage, etc.

• I've tried telling these "companies" to remove me from their list. They immediately hang up on me when I do that. I've tried calling the numbers, it never goes through. They are unreachable. Even AT&T admitted they can't track them.

• I've registered for the national "do not call" registry. This hasn't helped at all.

I'm running out of ideas. I'd love to just turn my phone off but I can't because of work.

For each number I get, I immediately add it to the block numbers. But this only stops repeat numbers.

So, my question is, is there a way in iOS to literally block entire area codes? I seriously don't care if I block a few legit numbers for the sake of sanity. I sometimes get telemarketers from my area code but those are more rare.

I have an iPhone 6 with the latest version if that helps.

Yes, there IS a free and easy way to block incoming nuisance calls on an iPhone!

(1) Get and install a silent ringtone (I use one called "10 seconds of silence" which I found on the internet for free). (2) You know who your regular callers are. Give each contact a ringtone other than the default. (Yes, it takes a few minutes, but it's a one-time thing.) (3) Set your phone's default ringtone to "10 seconds of silence".

From then on known callers get cause your phone to ring with whatever ringtone you've assigned that particular caller.

Calls from unknown callers will not cause your phone to ring. These callers can leave a message if they wish. Most spammers don't bother.

Repeat nuisance callers can have their numbers added to a special "Spammers" contact which you can block so that such callers cannot even leave messages. Just remember that if you do this, you have to unblock and re-block this contact each time you add a number. Don't worry about whether you indicate the number is fax or mobile or whatever--doesn't matter. I used to do this last step, but found it was unnecessary. Plus I kind of like to look once or twice a day and see where the spammers are ostensibly calling from--of course, their really using spoofed numbers using VoIP over the internet.

I do not believe iPhone has the ability to block phone numbers based on area code or other such rules.

However, you might consider two options for spam blocking tools. I use both of these, and have no affiliation with either. The first is a free option for iPhone, called Hiya. Hiya uses iOS CallKit framework, that integrates with the phone app to provide additional features, so rest assured that it is not 'hacking' your phone. Hiya has a constantly updating list of spam caller numbers, so you don't have to constantly block all the different numbers. You install and activate Hiya, and when the phone rings, it will show you if it is from a suspected Spam or telemarketer. Then you may just silent the call. You can also configure Hiya to send known spam, and fraud calls, to voicemail, and similar options to those it 'suspects' as spam. You can also enter a number into the Hiya app, which will give you more information, and offer to block the number in the future.

The second option is one that costs $1.99 per month for your iPhone, but is free (and highly recommended) for your landline, if you have one. Nomorobo is a similar tool, that on the iPhone uses CallKit as well. It has a very extensive database of spam and fraud numbers, which, like Hiya, it looks up when your phone rings. Nomorobo is free for landlines, and it makes money by selling the service on mobile devices. All very reasonable. It works similarly to Hiya, in that it shows suspected spam or "robocaller". I think Nomorobo works better, but YMMV.

In addition to the answer above that you can't block patterns without a third party extension (which you could compile and run yourself with Xcode assuming sufficient skill in programming) there is going to be some sort of change needed by the carriers.

Keep in mind the spammers are calling every phone number in the book these days. You really need to write a formal letter to your carrier and ask them how to trace / charge back to the people making the calls. The carriers need to fix this and stop making money from the callers that are abusing caller ID features. If the carrier insisted the callers use one traceable number, people could block things.

Additionally, it might require legislation to increase penalties of people that don't consult the do not call list. If you could get actionable information about the caller upon formal complaint and then take that company to small claims court in your local community and win $500 or so, that would end this practice quite quickly.

Okay guys, here is a trick I just read about in the internetz. Although it's not approved yet, I decided to give it a try because it sounds reasonable.

I get frequent calls from Guinea (Country Code: +224), so I just added a contact with the respective number +224 and blocked the contact with the default Apple iOS 10.3.3 option (Settings / Phone / Block and identify calls). I also get frequent calls from UK (Country Code: +44). Because I can't block a contact with the number +44, I created a contact with 10 numbers in total (+44 0, +44 1, +44 2, ... +44 9). Same with Austria (Country Code +43).

The best part of the solution is that you don't have to rely on third party Apps which are occasionally collecting our data.

Cheers from Germany, keep your head up!