How to Block a Phone Number: Stop Unwanted Calls and Messages

Unwanted calls and messages can be more than just a nuisance; they can be disruptive and even intrusive. Whether it’s spam calls, unsolicited messages, or simply wanting to avoid contact with someone, blocking a phone number is a useful feature on your iPhone or iPad. This guide will walk you through various methods to effectively block phone numbers, contacts, and even emails on your Apple devices, ensuring a more peaceful digital experience.

Why Block a Phone Number?

Blocking a phone number is a simple yet powerful tool to manage your communication and privacy. Here are a few key reasons why you might want to block a number:

• Stop Spam and Robocalls: Block numbers associated with unwanted automated calls and telemarketing.
• Avoid Harassment: Prevent unwanted contact from individuals who are causing distress or harassment.
• Enhance Privacy: Control who can reach you and limit unwanted interruptions.
• Manage Unwanted Contacts: Effectively cut off communication with people you no longer wish to interact with.

Fortunately, iOS and iPadOS provide multiple straightforward ways to block phone numbers and manage your blocked contacts list. Let’s explore these methods in detail.

Methods to Block a Phone Number on iPhone and iPad

Apple provides integrated blocking features across its core communication apps. Here’s How To Block A Phone Number from different apps on your iPhone or iPad:

Blocking from the Phone App

The Phone app is the most direct place to block a number, especially after receiving an unwanted call.

1. Open the Phone App: Locate and tap the Phone app icon on your home screen.
2. Go to Recents: Tap on the “Recents” tab at the bottom of the screen to view your call history.
3. Find the Number to Block: Locate the phone number you wish to block in your recent calls list.
4. Tap the Info Button: Next to the number, you’ll see a circular “i” icon (Info button). Tap this button.
5. Scroll Down and Block: On the contact details screen, scroll down until you find the “Block Caller” option. Tap “Block Caller”.
6. Confirm Blocking: A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap “Block Contact” to confirm that you want to block this number.

Blocking from the FaceTime App

If you’ve received an unwanted FaceTime call, you can block the number or email directly from the FaceTime app.

1. Open the FaceTime App: Find and open the FaceTime app on your device.
2. Find the Number or Contact: Locate the phone number, contact, or email address you want to block in your FaceTime call history.
3. Tap the Info Button: Similar to the Phone app, tap the “Info button” (circular “i” icon) next to the contact or number.
4. Scroll Down and Block: Scroll down on the contact details screen and tap “Block Caller”.
5. Confirm Blocking: Confirm your action by tapping “Block Contact” in the prompt.

Blocking from the Messages App

Unwanted text messages can be just as disruptive as calls. Here’s how to block a number from the Messages app:

1. Open the Messages App: Launch the Messages app and open the message thread from the number you want to block.
2. Tap the Contact at the Top: At the top of the conversation, tap on the contact name or number.
3. Tap the Info Button: On the dropdown menu, tap the “Info button”.
4. Scroll Down and Block: Scroll down to the bottom of the details screen and tap “Block Caller”.
5. Confirm Blocking: Tap “Block Contact” to finalize blocking the number.

Blocking from the Mail App

While this article focuses on phone numbers, you can also block email addresses to manage unwanted emails, and the process is similarly straightforward.

1. Open the Mail App: Open the Mail app and find an email from the sender you want to block.
2. Open the Email: Open the email from the contact you wish to block.
3. Tap the Sender’s Name: Tap on the sender’s name or email address at the top of the email.
4. Tap “Block this Contact”: From the options that appear, select “Block this Contact”.

Blocking Directly in Settings

You can also proactively add numbers or email addresses to your blocked list directly through the Settings app. This is useful when you want to block a number that hasn’t recently contacted you but you know you want to block.

1. Open the Settings App: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Navigate to the relevant App Settings:
   • For Phone Numbers: Scroll down and tap “Phone”. Then, tap “Blocked Contacts” and finally “Add New…”.
   • For FaceTime: Scroll down and tap “FaceTime”. Under “Calls”, tap “Blocked Contacts” and then “Add New…”.
   • For Messages: Scroll down and tap “Messages”. Tap “Blocked Contacts” and then “Add New…”.
   • For Mail: Scroll down and tap “Mail”. Under “Threading”, tap “Blocked” and then “Add New…”.
3. Select Contact to Block: You will be taken to your contacts list. Select the contact that contains the phone number or email address you wish to block. If the number is not in your contacts, you’ll need to add it to your contacts first to block it this way.

Managing Your Blocked Numbers and Contacts

It’s important to be able to manage your blocked list. You might need to unblock a number or review who you have blocked. Here’s how to access and manage your blocked contacts list:

1. Open the Settings App: Go to the Settings app.
2. Navigate to Blocked Contacts Settings: Follow the same paths as when blocking directly in settings (Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts, Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts, Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts, or Settings > Mail > Blocked).
3. View Your Blocked List: You will see a list of all phone numbers, contacts, and email addresses you have blocked within each app.
4. Unblock a Contact: To unblock a number or contact, swipe left on the number in the blocked list and tap “Unblock”. Alternatively, you can tap “Edit” in the top right corner, then tap the red minus icon next to the number you want to unblock, and tap “Unblock”. Finally, tap “Done”.

Filtering Messages from Unknown Senders

Beyond blocking specific numbers, you can also filter messages from senders who are not in your contacts. This feature helps to reduce clutter from potential spam or unwanted messages.

1. Open the Settings App: Go to Settings.
2. Go to Messages Settings: Scroll down and tap “Messages”.
3. Enable Filter Unknown Senders: Scroll down to the “Message Filtering” section and toggle “Filter Unknown Senders” to the green “on” position.

Once enabled, messages from numbers not in your contacts will be sorted into a separate “Unknown Senders” tab within the Messages app. You won’t receive notifications for these messages, further minimizing disruptions.

Reporting Spam and Junk Messages

Apple also provides a way to report iMessages that appear to be spam or junk. This helps Apple identify and combat spam more effectively.

1. Open the Messages App: Open the Messages app and select a message from an unknown sender that looks like spam.
2. Report Junk: If the sender is not in your contacts, you will see a “Report Junk” link at the bottom of the message. Tap “Report Junk”.
3. Confirm Report: A prompt will appear asking “Report Junk and Delete?”. Tap “Delete and Report Junk”.

Reporting junk will forward the sender’s information and the message content to Apple for analysis and will delete the message from your device. Note that reporting junk does not automatically block the sender. If you wish to stop receiving messages from that sender entirely, you should also block their number using the methods described earlier.

Take Control of Your Communication

Blocking phone numbers, managing blocked contacts, filtering unknown senders, and reporting spam are all essential tools for managing unwanted communication on your iPhone and iPad. By utilizing these features, you can significantly reduce interruptions, enhance your privacy, and enjoy a more peaceful mobile experience. Take a few minutes to set up these features and reclaim control over your communication today.