How to Block a Phone Number on an iPhone

Robocalls, telemarketers, and persistent spam messages are an unfortunate reality of owning a modern smartphone. Fortunately, iOS includes a robust, system-level blocking feature that allows you to permanently banish specific phone numbers from ever reaching your device again.

When you block a number on an iPhone, the caller is not notified that they have been blocked. If they attempt to call you, the phone will ring once on their end and immediately send them to voicemail, while your phone remains completely silent. Any text messages (SMS or iMessage) they send will simply vanish into the ether, never appearing on your screen.

How to Block a Recent Caller

If you just received a spam call or a call from an unknown number, you can block them directly from your call history log.

1. Open the native Apple Phone app (the green icon).
2. Tap the Recents tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Locate the phone number you wish to block in the list.
4. Do not tap the number itself (as this will immediately call them back). Instead, tap the small blue “i” icon (information button) located on the far right side of the screen next to that specific call.
5. A new contact information screen will open. Scroll all the way to the very bottom of this page.
6. Tap the red text that says Block this Caller.
7. A confirmation prompt will pop up from the bottom of the screen. Tap Block Contact to confirm.

How to Block a Text Message Sender

If a spammer is harassing you via text message rather than phone calls, you can block them directly from the Messages app.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap on the specific spam message conversation to open it.
3. Tap on the phone number (or profile icon) at the very top centre of the screen.
4. A small menu will drop down. Tap the Info button on the right.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the details page and tap Block this Caller.

How to View and Manage Your Blocked List

If you accidentally blocked a friend or need to review who you have banned over the years, you can manage your master block list in the system settings.

1. Open your iPhone’s Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap on Phone.
3. Scroll down to the “Calls” section and tap on Blocked Contacts.

This screen displays every single phone number and email address you have ever blocked.

• To unblock someone: Tap the blue Edit button in the top right corner, tap the red minus (-) circle next to the number, and then tap the red “Unblock” button that appears.
• To preemptively block someone: Scroll to the bottom of the list, tap Add New…, and select a person from your current Contacts list to instantly ban them.