Stop spam texts automatically. Build your own rules or install scam packs. Analyzed entirely on your phone, never sent to a server.
Spam texts are annoying, and sometimes dangerous. SmartFilter works with your iPhone's built-in message filtering to sort them out before they land in your inbox — turn it on once and it runs automatically from then on.
Set your own rules, or install ready-made packs for toll scams, fake tax notices, gift card cons, crypto pitches, delivery scams, job and loan scams, phishing, and election spam. Two more packs route marketing texts and receipts into their own folders. Messages can go to Junk, Promotions, Transactions, or straight to your inbox — you decide.
Paste in a real message and tap the words that matter, and SmartFilter writes the rule for you. Save test messages so you can check your setup any time you change something. And if you want to know why a message ended up where it did, SmartFilter shows you the exact path it took.
Your rules sync across your devices with iCloud. Report junk, or tell SmartFilter it got one wrong, right from the Messages app — no extra steps.
SmartFilter also catches spam that tries to sneak past filters using lookalike letters and hidden characters.
Every message is analyzed on your phone. Nothing you receive is ever sent to a server — that's not a policy, it's how the app works.
SmartFilter is free to use, with a limit on how many filters you can save. Subscribe monthly, yearly, or once for good to unlock unlimited filters, every premium pack, regex and case-sensitive matching, test messages, and alternate app icons. Already a supporter from an earlier version? You're covered — no need to buy again.
SmartFilter is made by one independent developer. If it's working for you, a review goes a long way.
For in-app purchases and subscriptions, see https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Despite never handing out my phone number unless necessary, it ended up on a spam list. I got the same kind of spam message like clockwork every morning and it was a huge annoyance. I googled and tried out more popular apps like Malwarebytes and VeroSMS and neither of them filtered any messages. You’d think Apple would at least have a built-in filter to block links from unknown senders that is not restricted to iMessages...This app is simple and 100% functional. Words cannot describe how happy I was to discover that it successfully filtered out the spam this morning. I don’t know why this app isn’t more well-known, I’ve only seen it mentioned once on a random Reddit comment during my initial search. Payment isn’t even required but I would most definitely have paid more than the $1 tip for this service. Bless you developer for making my digital life a little more bearable, you have my undying gratitude for not having to go through the same tedious motions of deleting garbage every single day. For everyone else reading this, get this app and tip the guy if it ends up working for you.
Developer Response
Thank you so much for the kind words! I’m glad my little app made someone’s life easier!
Seems to work well!
Tanga32
I installed SmartFilter a few months ago and it seems to have caught almost all the messages that some jerk signed me up for. One thing to watch out for is that it may silently catch desirable messages like notifications from your bank and phone company. I successfully trained SmartFilter to pass those messages by checking the filtered messages (in the Messages app under the tab “Unknown & Junk”) and pasting them into the SmartFilter app. I didn't mark SmartFilter down for initially incorrect classifications because in my opinion false positives are inevitable at the start and retraining it worked as expected. On the other hand, the process for retraining it could be made clearer and easier. You need to copy the SMS with a long click, open the app, select “Report SMS", paste the SMS into the box, and select “Normal”. I think the developers could turn this into a single operation by redesigning the front screen. But this is a minor point and didn't affect my rating, which was based on the app's overall efficacy.
Finally found something that works for spam texts
Esnied
I have tried everything to try and get rid of spam calls / texts. I couldn't figure out how to get them to stop and nothing seemed to work and I tried everything. Many of them made it worse and I was almost to the point of changing my phone number, but I've had my number for a long time and I didn't want to change my number and get someone else's headaches... with the calls and texts. Anyway, I was looking through the app store and I stumbled on this one. I read the reviews and I thought I'd give it a shot... what do I have to lose. This app is amazing! I can't believe how fast this is getting rid of the spam texts from my phone! Thank you so much for such a great job with eliminating the frustration I used to have with my phone! If you want to get rid of spam texts, this app will get rid of them for you.
Unique Spam Text 5 Star App!!
RLNfirst
Some times you run into something that is unique outstanding and has a new and different design that sets you back! Don’t happen much now days but when it does you want to tell the people around you of your great find ! Today I found it in this unique app that for me does not only what it says it does but has gone up and beyond what any and I mean any app out now does not come close to blocking the Data this unique app Does!!! Thanks to the Developers who put this great app out here for all of us to use! If you are thinking about looking for a app of this Nature and quality look know farther! Download this app today now I believe you will not be disappointed or sorry you did ( Really ) Thanks again to the Developers for myself you have Designed a unique quality app I truly take my Hat off to you! Thanks
SmartFilter 2.0 is a complete rebuild — new design, new filtering engine, and a lot of new ways to keep junk out of your inbox.
NEW
• Filter Packs — install curated rule sets for toll, tax, gift card, crypto, delivery, job, and loan scams, phishing, and election spam. Two more packs sort marketing and receipts into their own folders.
• Route messages four ways — send them to Junk, Promotions, Transactions, or straight to your inbox.
• Build a rule from a real message — paste one in, tap the words that matter, and SmartFilter writes the rule.
• Test Messages — save example messages with the result you expect, then check them any time you change a rule or setting.
• How Filtering Works — a visual map of every check a message passes through, using your own rules.
• iCloud Sync — your rules follow you to every device, privately.
• Report spam without leaving Messages — mark a message as junk or not junk right from the report sheet.
• Filter Disguised Text — catches spam hiding behind lookalike letters and invisible characters.
• A guided setup wizard walks you through turning SmartFilter on, and you can run it again any time from Help.
• Supporters get unlimited filters, every premium pack, regex and case-sensitive matching, test messages, and alternate app icons.
IMPROVED
• Retrained on-device spam detection — nothing you receive ever leaves your iPhone.
• Rewrote pack rules to stop false matches like "election" catching "electricity".
• Reported messages are stripped of links, phone numbers, email addresses, verification codes, and dollar amounts on your device before anything is sent.
• Full accessibility pass, including large text sizes throughout.
• Every filter option now explains what it does, right where you turn it on.
FIXED
• Fixed messages occasionally not being filtered at all.
• Fixed SmartFilter being skipped even when it was switched on.
• Fixed the Report SMS shortcut not opening from the Home Screen.
• Fixed text that was unreadable in dark mode.
• Fixed filter rules that could go missing when updating from an older version.
Already tipped in a previous version? You keep every supporter feature — no repurchase needed. Thank you.
Version 2.0
The developer, Jacob Grant, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Linked to You
The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:
Purchases
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
