# SMS Shield — SMS Spam Filter

> Machine learning SMS spam filter for iPhone with custom blocking and privacy. (iPhone/iPad app by Taphive GmbH.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-shield/id1248198400 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Taphive GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/466416247)
- Category: Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.20/5 from 137 App Store ratings · 84 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English, Arabic, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese
- Released: 2017-09-19
- Data updated: 2026-09-02
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-shield/id1248198400/reviews.md

## What is SMS Shield?

SMS Shield is a Machine Learning-based SMS spam filter for iPhone. We trained it on what spam SMS looks like by showing it tens of thousands of spam SMSs beforehand. SMS Shield then learns and, to a high degree of confidence, can identify spam even it haven't seen it before. Besides spam blocking, SMS Shield includes innovative features like Frequent Traveler Mode.

Features:

+ Automatic Spam Filtering

SMS Shield will automatically block SMS spam like promotions, ads, phishing and scam attempts at stealing your sensitive information (e.g. SMSs claiming to be from your bank).

+ Frequent Traveler Mode

Enable this innovative feature during your business travels to block the often-annoying SMSs sent by mobile operators when visiting other countries (e.g. "Welcome to country X...").

+ Custom Block List

With custom block list, you can block SMSes from specific phone numbers or that include specific keywords. Remember that annoying Ex who keeps SMSing you years later? Blocked!


+ 100% privacy guarenteed

SMS Shield is an offline SMS filter. Meaning it does the filtering offline, on your device. All your texts are 100% private.


+ Multi-lingual spam detection

SMS Shield detects spam (and is localized) in English, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Swedish, and Arabic. 

If you would like us to add a specific language email us with spam texts you receive (as many as possible).

------------------------------
Available Subscriptions:
GOLD: 1 year spam filtering subscription 
SILVER: ½ year spam filtering subscription
CLASSIC: 1 month spam filtering subscription

Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. To manage subscriptions or turn off auto-renewal go to your iTunes account settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of the free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription.

Privacy Policy: https://www.taphive.com/smsshield/privacypolicy.html
Terms: https://www.taphive.com/smsshield/tou.html

## Key features

- Automatic spam filtering
- Frequent traveler mode
- Custom block list
- Offline filtering
- Multi-lingual spam detection

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Classic | $0.99 | per month |
| Gold | $8.49 | per year |
| Silver | $3.99 | per 6 months |


## What do users think of SMS Shield?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 👍 Works well for some users
- 👍 Filters spam effectively for some
- 👍 Good for blocking specific keywords for some
- 👍 Worth the price for some users
- 👍 Privacy-focused (messages stay on device)
- 👍 Good idea and execution for some

**Cons**

- 🐛 Doesn't work for many users
- 🐛 Fails to filter obvious scams
- 🐛 Still receives spam texts
- 🐛 Sends legitimate texts to junk
- 🐛 Requires manual spam addition
- 🐛 Paid membership not worth it
- 🐛 No response from support
- 🐛 Doesn't block SMS from email
- 🐛 Doesn't distinguish real from fake
- 🐛 Difficult to disable
- 🐛 Blocks important texts
- 🐛 Free trial doesn't work
- 🐛 Forced paid subscription
- 🐛 Garbage app
- 🐛 Rubbish
- 🐛 Filter doesn't work
- 🐛 Buyer beware
- 🐛 Not impressed
- 🐛 Only works if you pay
- 🐛 Crap
- 🐛 Useless
- 🐛 No efficacy
- 🐛 Can't recommend
- 🐛 Money waste
- 🐛 Does not work at all
- 🐛 Scam
- 🐛 No support
- 🐛 Blocks important texts
- 🐛 I wish I could give zero stars
- 🐛 Doesn't work
- 🐛 Useless app
- 🐛 No longer working
- 🐛 Key word issues
- 🐛 App is crap
- 🐛 Poor filter
- 🐛 Strange behavior over email
- 🐛 Blocking many important SMS
- 🐛 Piece of junk
- 🐛 Doesn't Work in Turkey
- 🐛 Does not work...at all
- 🐛 Deneyemedim (couldn't try)
- 🐛 Money suckers
- 🐛 Not really work
- 🐛 Horrible app
- 🐛 Kostenpflichtig (paid)
- 🐛 Not Working
- 🐛 Not doing anything
- 🐛 Not that helpful
- 🐛 Doesn’t work at all
- 🐛 Not worth it!
- 🐛 Fraud alert!
- 🐛 App works during free trial only
- 🐛 Failed to modify some records
- 🐛 Not working
- 🐛 Not worth it
- 🐛 Poor filter
- 🐛 Strange behaviour over email
- 🐛 Blocking many important SMS
- 🐛 Piece of junk
- 🐛 Doesn't Work in Turkey
- 🐛 Does not work...at all
- 🐛 Deneyemedim (couldn't try)
- 🐛 Money suckers
- 🐛 Not really work
- 🐛 Horrible app
- 🐛 Kostenpflichtig (paid)
- 🐛 Not Working
- 🐛 Not doing anything
- 🐛 Not that helpful
- 🐛 Doesn’t work at all
- 🐛 Not worth it!
- 🐛 Fraud alert!
- 🐛 App works during free trial only
- 🐛 Failed to modify some records
- 🐛 Not working
- 🐛 Not worth it
- 🐛 Poor filter
- 🐛 Strange behaviour over email
- 🐛 Blocking many important SMS
- 🐛 Piece of junk
- 🐛 Doesn't Work in Turkey
- 🐛 Does not work...at all
- 🐛 Deneyemedim (couldn't try)
- 🐛 Money suckers
- 🐛 Not really work
- 🐛 Horrible app
- 🐛 Kostenpflichtig (paid)
- 🐛 Not Working
- 🐛 Not doing anything
- 🐛 Not that helpful
- 🐛 Doesn’t work at all
- 🐛 Not worth it!
- 🐛 Fraud alert!

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Filters out legitimate texts
- Doesn't block known spam
- Requires manual input for blocking
- No response from support
- Doesn't block SMS from email
- Machine learning is ineffective
- App still filtering after cancellation
- App doesn't work after iOS update
- Keywords not being blocked
- False positives (blocking important messages)
- Cannot cancel subscription in-app
- App asks for sensitive permissions
- Free trial doesn't work as advertised
- Fails to modify records when classifying SMS

**Most requested features**

- More blocking of SMS scams
- Option to mark SMS as spam or not spam
- Ability to whitelist keywords
- Better machine learning/training
- Improved support responsiveness
- One-time purchase option

## Recent user reviews (10 of 84)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sms-shield/id1248198400/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Fails to filter - don’t waste your money

*2026-06-15, version 1.1.1*

Does not filter area codes  or keywords as you would expect. Actually I don’t know what it does as there is NO reporting to see what it has done. Political spam continues…

### 1/5 — Doesn’t work

*2025-12-02, version 1.1.1*

Failed to filter out obvious scam gambling texts

### 5/5 — SMS shield

*2025-10-19, version 1.1.1*

Love it needs to be more blocking of sms scams I still get them

### 2/5 — Works ok.

*2025-10-14, version 1.1.1*

Not good at fixing texts that even flagged as non spam. Keeps sending them to junk folder.

### 1/5 — Manual

*2025-09-18, version 1.1.1*

This is a sham; YOU have to catch the spam & add it to your (their) database manually. So you are paying this app to build their database and YOU get no automated blocking at all. CROOKS

### 1/5 — Does Not Work - Money waste

*2025-09-02, version 1.1.1*

Tried blocking spam numbers and still getting spam calls from same numbers. Enabled this app on phone settings and still i didn’t see it work. Its been more than a week now since I bought gold membership. Please refund my money.

### 1/5 — Still getting spam texts

*2025-08-24, version 1.1.1*

As the title suggests this app is not working. I even tried using their filters of blocking out key word in certain sms but even those are still coming through. Don’t pay for their silver/gold membership since it’s not worth it, I’m canceling mine. Reached out to them but haven’t heard anything back.

### 1/5 — Spam SMS from email

*2025-06-18, version 1.1.1*

SMS shield is not blocking sms from email even after adding @ in the blocking keyword.

### 1/5 — Non funziona assolutamete

*2024-07-03, version 1.1.1*

Non riconosce un messaggio vero da uno falso o peggio di phishing..
Su 3 arrivati non ne ha riconosciuto per pericoloso nessuno. 
All' interno dell'app cè una funzione per incollare il messaggio sospetto e farlo analizzare me li ha indicati per messaggi buoni e non pericolosi ho chiesto ad Apple il rimborso

### 1/5 — Difficult

*2023-07-11, version 1.1.1*

I cannot find a way to disable this app! Please help!

## Frequently asked questions about SMS Shield

### What does SMS Shield do?

SMS Shield is a machine learning-based SMS spam filter for iPhone. It automatically identifies and blocks unwanted messages such as promotions, ads, phishing attempts, and scams. The app learns from vast amounts of spam data to effectively detect even previously unseen spam with high confidence.

### What are the key features of SMS Shield?

Key features include automatic spam filtering, a 'Frequent Traveler Mode' to block international mobile operator messages, and a custom block list for specific numbers or keywords. It also boasts 100% privacy through offline filtering and multi-lingual spam detection in several languages.

### How does SMS Shield handle subscriptions and pricing?

SMS Shield operates on a subscription model with options like GOLD (1 year), SILVER (6 months), and CLASSIC (1 month). Payments are charged to your iTunes account, and subscriptions automatically renew unless turned off at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Any unused free trial period is forfeited upon purchasing a subscription.

### Is SMS Shield compatible with my iPhone?

SMS Shield is designed for iPhone. The description does not specify minimum iOS version requirements, but it is available through the iTunes App Store, indicating compatibility with supported iPhone models and iOS versions.

### What are common use cases for SMS Shield?

Common use cases include blocking unsolicited promotional texts, preventing phishing attempts that try to steal sensitive information, and stopping scam messages. The Frequent Traveler Mode is useful for those who travel internationally, and the custom block list allows users to block specific annoying contacts or keywords.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.1.1 — 2017-11-08

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

> Accuracy improvements for all languages

> User Membership type is now displayed in the main view.

### 1.1 — 2017-10-16

+ NEW: Whitelist numbers. Now you can override the filter to whitelist specific senders.

+ NEW: Swedish spam detection.

+ Simplified the reporting-SMS process by removing the carrier SMS option. Now an SMS is either spam or normal.

+ Bug fix for keywords that had quotation in it.

+ Improved spam detection accuracy for all languages. Thanks for all the reports you sent!

### 1.0.1 — 2017-10-03

+ Improved spam detection for all languages. Thanks to all those who reported SMSes. Your spam reports have been integrated into this update. Keep reporting!

+ NEW: “Paste automatically” mode to make reporting SMSes much faster. When enabled in "Report an SMS" screen, SMS shield will automatically paste when the screen is opened.

+ Bug fix for the keyboard when adding a keyword to the Custom Block List. Now you can change the language when doing that.

+ The keyboard will now not be displayed automatically in Report an SMS and Test Filter screens.

+ Report an SMS screen will now open much faster.

### 1.0 — 2017-09-19

No release notes.

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All apps by Taphive GmbH: https://appshunter.io/developer/466416247

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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 2026-09-02.*