# Junkman: AI Spam SMS Blocker — Smart spam message filter

> AI-powered SMS filter for iOS to block spam and unwanted messages. (iPhone/iPad app by Kerem Erkan.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/junkman-ai-spam-sms-blocker/id1591815272 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Kerem Erkan](https://appshunter.io/developer/416098703)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 117 App Store ratings · 186 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 38 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), European Spanish, Turkish
- Released: 2021-11-10
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/junkman-ai-spam-sms-blocker/id1591815272/reviews.md

## What is Junkman?

Junkman is the most powerful SMS filtering app for iOS. It can classify incoming messages as normal, junk, transaction or promotion. It will not classify old messages. It works completely locally on your device without the need for any network connectivity. It is written to filter all kinds of unwanted text messages, including betting, political, scam messages and company advertisements.

Junkman primarily uses a state-of-the-art machine learning algorithm called Smart Filter, that is trained with thousands of messages in English, French and Turkish languages. This results in an artificial intelligence which can classify the message contents. The Smart Filter can differentiate between normal (conversations etc.), transaction (bank OTP messages, shipping information, doctor appointments, etc.) and junk (promotional, gambling, unsolicited, spam etc.) messages instantly. It treats all promotion messages as junk.

Junkman also has a spam and threat database with special filters to detect and filter the most invasive junk messages without the need for the Smart Filter.

In case you would like to override the classification of the automated filters, you can add rules to one of the Allowed, Junk, Transaction and Promotion lists in the app.

The rule lists let you write much more powerful rules than most of the competing apps. They can work on both the sender or the content of a message and they accept any input including regular expressions (Regex). They are also simpler to manage than other apps.

If you think the Smart Filter did not classify one or more messages correctly, you can report them from the Messages app (iPhone only) for review. The more wrong classifications you report, the better the Smart Filter gets!

Features of Junkman:

• Smart Filter: A state-of-the-art machine learning algorithm that can classify any message in English or Turkish as normal, junk or transaction
• Spam and Threat Database: A database that includes special filters which can be updated immediately using instant notifications when necessary
• Proactive Filter: A special algorithm to directly filter the most invasive junk messages without the need for the Smart Filter
• Rule lists, supporting any input, including powerful regular expressions (Regex)
• Time schedules to customize filtering times
• Under Attack Mode: A mode that can help with text message attacks
• Reporting Extension support to report messages that you think were not classified correctly by the Smart Filter (iPhone only)
• Configuration testing that lets you check any message to see the classification in real time
• iCloud sync support for sender lists to sync information between your devices
• Detailed VoiceOver design for better accessibility support
• Dark mode support
• Interoperability with Begone - Spam Call Blocker and Directory

Junkman is the successor of SMS Checker app.

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Junkman works completely locally on your device. It does not collect, store or transmit any data you enter into it. It does not collect, store or transmit any information from the messages it filters. Junkman respects the privacy of its users with utmost importance.

End user license agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

## Key features

- AI-powered message classification
- Spam and threat database
- Customizable rule lists with Regex support
- Offline operation
- Reporting extension for incorrect classifications
- Time schedules for filtering

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Pack | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Pack | $24.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small cup of tea | $0.99 | one-time |
| Large cup of tea | $1.99 | one-time |
| Teapot! | $2.99 | one-time |
| Samovar!! | $4.99 | one-time |
| Pro Pack - Lifetime | $124.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Junkman?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- ✅ Effectively filters spam and junk messages
- 🎯 Customizable filtering rules with regex support
- 🚀 Works locally on-device without data collection
- 💰 Affordable pricing compared to competitors
- 🤖 Smart AI filter catches political and scam texts
- 📁 Separates junk into dedicated folder
- ⚡ Simple and intuitive user interface
- 👨‍💻 Responsive developer with quick bug fixes
- 🔄 Frequent app updates and improvements
- 📊 Significantly reduces daily spam volume

**Cons**

- 🐛 Stops working after iOS updates without warning
- ⚠️ False positives filter legitimate messages
- 🔐 Apple's privacy warning misleads users
- 🔄 Frequent updates cause intermittent failures
- 📝 Multi-step process to report spam is tedious
- ❌ Cannot move misclassified messages out of junk
- 🎛️ Smart filter lacks transparency and documentation
- 💾 Data loss between app updates and restarts
- 🚫 Overly aggressive filtering on default settings
- ⚙️ Complex setup for optimal rule configuration

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App stops filtering after iOS updates without user notification
- Filtering fails silently with no indication to user
- Unread message count shows incorrectly
- Rule checker feature was removed in recent updates
- Transaction filter overrides junk filter incorrectly
- App requires manual restart after updates to resume filtering
- False positives on legitimate delivery and payment notifications
- Compatibility issues with iOS 26.1 and later versions
- Messages remain in junk even after adding sender to allowed list

**Most requested features**

- Ability to move or recover misclassified messages from junk folder
- Automatic local notifications when filtering stops working
- Whitelist/allowlist feature for trusted contacts
- Option to automatically delete spam instead of just filtering
- Simplified one-click spam reporting process
- Better documentation of smart filter behavior
- Unified filter rule list with priority/precedence system
- Separate filter profiles for different filtering levels
- Support for additional languages and regional spam patterns
- Sandbox rule testing without requiring actual messages

## Recent user reviews (10 of 186)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/junkman-ai-spam-sms-blocker/id1591815272/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Payant

*2026-06-12, version 15.0*

Rien est gratuit donc inutile..

### 5/5 — Unique Outstanding Design App!

*2026-06-10, version 15.0*

Once in awhile in our life time we might get lucky and find something that is unique. The Design of this App is one of those times! The Developer has coded this software so Unique that it truly helps you myself and our family. It’s a 5 Star ⭐️ app that puts the Junk text where it belongs in the Junk File. This app works for me and has since the day that I downloaded it. So if you’re taking the time to read this then Download this app and give it a try! Will you be disappointed? I believe in the long run you will not be. ( really ) the Developer has put a great deal of time hard work sweat and yes love into the coding of this software! How do you know? Look at the number of updates that have been made! There are crooks out there who want our money and identity if given to them the opportunity. The Developer has created an amazing Unique Outstanding Design App that puts Junk crooked mail where it belongs. Sometimes the Developer gets his hands tied by Apple. Why I can’t answer but that doesn’t mean this is a bad App it means the Developer is out there trying to code this software to get around the restrictions! So with that I want to Thank the Developer for putting out this Unique Outstanding Design App. I truly Tip my Hat 🎩 to you and say thanks. Mr. Developer I am proud to say you have truly created a 5 Star ⭐️ App. One that for this ole man you can truly take a bow 🙇‍♂️.

### 1/5 — Données traitées localement ou chez le développeur

*2026-06-09*

Lorsque vous installez l’application, elle dit que tout est traité localement
Lorsqu’on ouvre l’application après l’installation, l’application indique que les données seront transférées automatiquement au développeurs

Quelle est la bonne indication s’il vous plaît ?

### 5/5 — Works so well!

*2026-05-21, version 15.0*

This app works so well. It’s very rare that I get any spam texts.  This app stop almost all of them.

It did have some false positives but I used the custom filters to let through that content.

I highly recommend this.

### 2/5 — Doesn’t work

*2026-04-30, version 15.0*

I tried this with the Pro plan to filter out political spam texts. I was disappointed.
- It only works on the phone, but I have iMessage synced to my Mac, and still got all the messages there. 
- The “report spam” integration mostly did not work, with the name and number fields being blank.

### 2/5 — Not so great anymore

*2026-04-28, version 15.0*

I use to love this app and tell everyone to use it, now it’s not so great….actually it kinda sucks.  Daily spam coming it and lots of it. All the settings are as instructed(and having to check daily, well I should t have to keep checking over and over to see if my Junkman setting are set correctly, and yes I have rebooted a million times.  Time to find something else.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t Actually Block Anything

*2026-04-10*

If it doesn’t actually block spam messages, what good is it? If the sender doesn’t know they’re being "blocked", aka filtered, why would they even stop messaging? If Apple doesn’t let these apps actually block messages, what good are they? If spam is just moved to another location on my iPad by keyword and the sender doesn’t know it, what stops the sender from spamming me again and again? Makes Apple complicit in this message blocker app scam. I canceled my subscription immediately. The built-in "Delete message and report junk" already does that for free.

At least on my phone, the Number Shield app "answers" these calls by posting "stopped by Number Shield". All I have to do is access the missed calls screen and select BLOCK CALLER. I never get another call from that phone number. Does the sender know they’re being blocked? No idea. But I never get another call from that number ever again. 

I never set up voice mail on my phone so spammers don’t get to leave me a voice message. That’s good enough for me.

### 5/5 — Extremely effective & Works with iOS26 spam folder

*2026-04-07*

I’m very impressed with this app and it works much better than the built-in iOS 26 spam detection or Verizon Call Filter+. Neither of those would actually place messages into the spam folder most of the time. At best iOS spam blocker would put SPAM in promotions and it would still miss some spam.

After using this for about two months with the paid pro pack smart filter, it’s catching absolutely all spam and putting it into the spam folder where I never even have to see a count bubble.

### 1/5 — Tilki

*2026-04-04, version 14.7*

Güzel kurnazlıkmış yıllarca insanları kendine bağlayıp bir anda ücretsiz kullanıcıya her özelliği kapatıp herkesten para istemek. Stratejik olarak saygı duydum, müşteri olarak iğrendim.

### 5/5 — Political texts

*2026-03-20*

By making your own rules all political texts that come in your messaging app have about 32 different variations on the last line of their text and that makes it very easy (like "stop to end")  to make rules to eliminate all of them!

How long that I spent a couple years constantly trying to get rid of about 100 text a day!

Destroying my normal life just because I donated!

## Frequently asked questions about Junkman

### What does Junkman do?

Junkman is an SMS filtering app for iOS that uses artificial intelligence and a spam database to classify incoming messages. It categorizes messages as normal, junk, transaction, or promotion, helping to block unwanted text messages like betting, political, scam, and company advertisements.

### How does the AI in Junkman work?

Junkman employs a machine learning algorithm called Smart Filter, trained on thousands of messages. This AI can differentiate between normal conversations, transaction-related messages (like OTPs or shipping info), and junk messages (promotional, unsolicited, spam, etc.). It also has a proactive filter and a spam/threat database for immediate filtering of invasive junk messages.

### Is Junkman free to use?

The application is free to download and use, with in-app purchases available. These purchases likely unlock advanced features or remove limitations, though specific details on what is included in the in-app purchases are not provided in the description.

### What devices is Junkman compatible with?

Junkman is designed for iOS devices. It operates completely locally on your device, meaning it does not require network connectivity to function. The reporting extension feature is specifically noted as being for iPhone only.

### Can I customize how Junkman filters messages?

Yes, Junkman allows for extensive customization. You can create powerful custom rules for sender or content, supporting regular expressions (Regex). These rules can be added to 'Allowed,' 'Junk,' 'Transaction,' and 'Promotion' lists, giving you precise control over message classification beyond the automated filters.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 15.1 — 2026-06-25

IMPORTANT: Updating your device to iOS 26 can disable text filtering. Please make sure that Junkman is enabled in your device settings.

If Junkman stops filtering messages after an update, please reboot your device.

• Updated Smart Filter and Proactive Filter

### 15.0 — 2026-04-14

IMPORTANT: Updating your device to iOS 26 can disable text filtering. Please make sure that Junkman is enabled in your device settings.

If Junkman stops filtering messages after an update, please reboot your device.

• Updated Smart Filter and Proactive Filter

### 14.7 — 2026-03-20

IMPORTANT: Updating your device to iOS 26 can disable text filtering. Please make sure that Junkman is enabled in your device settings.

If Junkman stops filtering messages after an update, please reboot your device.

• Fixed spam sensitivity settings

### 14.6 — 2026-03-20

• Smart Filter updates
• Fixed an issue where message filtering was not working

### 14.5 — 2026-03-19

• Smart Filter updates
• Spanish language support

## Apps similar to Junkman

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Phone ID: Spam Call Block App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phone-id-spam-call-block-app/id6472041245) | 4.5 (102) | Free | Productivity |
| [Call Protect Spam Call Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/call-protect-spam-call-blocker/id1440014663) | 4.3 (3,063) | Free | Productivity |
| [Begone: Spam Call Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/begone-spam-call-blocker/id1596818195) | 4.0 (65) | Free | Productivity |
| [BlackList Call](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blacklist-call/id1173653704) | 3.1 (15) | Free | Productivity |
| [Nomorobo Max Spam Call Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nomorobo-max-spam-call-blocker/id1581617568) | 4.5 (5,166) | Free | Productivity |
| [Google Voice](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-voice/id318698524) | 4.3 (61,928) | Free | Productivity |

## More apps by Kerem Erkan

- [Qrafter: QR Code Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrafter-qr-code-reader/id416098700)
- [Qrafter Pro: QR Code Reader](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/qrafter-pro-qr-code-reader/id468610525)
- [PSWD: Password Generator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pswd-password-generator/id1541482816)
- [Begone: Spam Call Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/begone-spam-call-blocker/id1596818195)
- [QuakeLens: Earthquake Monitor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quakelens-earthquake-monitor/id6796729789)

All apps by Kerem Erkan: https://appshunter.io/developer/416098703

## Related topics

[spam block sms](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spam-block-sms) · [free text message blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/free-text-message-blocker) · [sms message block](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sms-message-block) · [spam messages text](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spam-messages-text) · [begone](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/begone) · [spam messages filter](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spam-messages-filter) · [spam message filter](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spam-message-filter) · [verosms](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/verosms) · [sms blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sms-blocker)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*
