Secret WhatsApp setting stops devastating text attack that crashes your phone – but it’s OFF unless you switch it on
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WHATSAPP has a special setting that stops a sinister text attack that crashes your phone. The clever feature is built into the app for free – but it's switched off by default. Thankfully it's very easy to turn on if you know where to look. The feature is called Block Unknown Account Messages, and WhatsApp calls it "an advanced security measure".
![[WhatsApp text input screen.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/whatsapp-spam.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It's meant to stop a "high volume" of unknown messages from reaching your phone. This won't stop regular texts, but it'll shut out a massive spam-text campaign designed to crash your phone. With enough spam messages, your phone can slow right down or even stop working entirely.
![[WhatsApp settings menu.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/whatsapp-block-001.jpg?strip=all&w=681)
It's unlikely (though not impossible) that this would come from a contact – and is far likelier to happen via an unknown number. WhatsApp explains: "You can block high volumes of unknown messages to help protect your account and improve device performance.
![[WhatsApp privacy settings: read receipts, app lock, chat lock, camera effects, advanced, and privacy checkup.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/whatsapp-block-002.jpg?strip=all&w=727)
"If Block Unknown Account Messages is turned on, WhatsApp will block messages from unknown accounts when they exceed a high volume.". The message-blocking "stops after message rates return to normal", according to WhatsApp. And it's worth noting that regular messages from your contacts will still be able to come through.
![[WhatsApp advanced settings: block unknown messages, protect IP address in calls, disable link previews.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/whatsapp-block-003.jpg?strip=all&w=936)
WhatsApp might actually prompt you to turn the feature on if you're receiving "a high volume of unknown messages". But you can also turn it on manually. With an iPhone, just go to Settings > Privacy > Advanced, and then turn on Block Unknown Account Messages.
![[WhatsApp privacy checkup screen showing options to control privacy settings.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/whatsapp-privacy-checkup.jpg?strip=all&w=472)
