How to Block Someone from Calling or Texting on Your iPhone

Do you need to block incoming calls or messages from a contact or an unknown number? If you suspect a spam number is contacting you or if you no longer want to speak to someone specific, you can easily block their number in a few simple steps. This wikiHow will show you how to block and prevent unwanted phone calls or messages from a phone number on your iPhone.

Ways to Block Numbers on an iPhone

Tap the i button next to a recent caller and select Block Contact/Block Caller.
Tap someone's contact photo in a message, then select Block Contact/Block Caller.
Tap a contact in FaceTime, then select Block Contact/Block Caller.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts and tap + Add Blocked Contact.

Section 1 of 5:

Blocking from Recent Calls

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The app icon looks like a white phone with a green background.
2
Tap Calls. It's a clock icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- On older versions of iOS, you'll see a tab that says "Recents."
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It's on the right side of the screen.
4
Tap Block Contact or Block Caller. This option is at the bottom of the page.
- On older versions of iOS, you'll see a button that says Block This Caller in red at the bottom of the page.
The phone number will be immediately blocked on your iPhone.^{[1]
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Research source}

Section 2 of 5:

Blocking from Messages

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1
Open the Messages app. This app has an icon of a white chat bubble with a green background.
- Use this method to block a phone number that has messaged you.
2
Tap a conversation. Use the conversation with the phone number you want to block.^{[2]
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- On newer versions of iOS, you might have to tap the three-line icon in the upper-right corner and select Unknown Senders to find the correct conversation, depending on if the number is one of your contacts or not.
In most cases, this will be a grey person icon.
4
Tap Block Contact or Block Caller. This button is red, and it's at the bottom of the screen.
- On older versions of iOS, you'll have to tap info, then Block This Caller.
The phone number will be immediately blocked on your iPhone.^{[3]
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Research source}

Section 3 of 5:

Blocking from FaceTime

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This app has an icon of a white video camera on a green background.
All of the people or numbers with whom you've FaceTimed recently will be listed on the main FaceTime screen.
3
Tap Block Contact or Block Caller. It's at the bottom of the screen, so you'll have to scroll to find it.
- On older versions of iOS, you will see Block This Caller.
The phone number will be immediately blocked on your iPhone.^{[4]
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Research source}

Section 4 of 5:

Adding Contacts to Your Block List

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This looks like a grey cog icon.
You'll have to scroll to find this option. It has a blue icon with a white hand on it.
Once again, you'll have to scroll a bit to find this option. It has a red icon with a white "prohibited" sign (a circle with a diagonal line through it).
It's at the top of the screen, in blue text.
When the contact pops up, tap on it.
The contact will immediately be added to your block list.^{[5]
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Research source}

Section 5 of 5:

Unblocking Numbers

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This looks like a grey cog icon.
You'll have to scroll to find this option. It has a blue icon with a white hand on it.
3
Tap Blocked Contacts. Once again, you'll have to scroll a bit to find this option. It has a red icon with a white "prohibited" sign (a circle with a diagonal line through it).
- If the number you want to unblock is one that's not one of your contacts, tap [number] Unknown under "+ Add Blocked Contact." The [number] will be replaced with the number of blocked unknown numbers you have.
It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
5
Tap the red minus button next to the number you want to unblock. Once you do so, tap Unblock.
- Repeat this step for each number you want to unblock.
Any number you unblock will be able to contact you once again.^{[6]
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Community Q&A

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Question

How can I temporarily block a number?

Community Answer

Go to your Contacts. Click on the person you want to block. Scroll down and at the very end it will say Block this Caller. Click on that. Then it will say Block Contact. Click on it. To unblock, go through the steps again. Instead of saying Block this Caller it will say Unblock. Just press that.

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Question

How do I block a phone number on an iPhone 6?

Community Answer

Go into the phone application, then press Recent on the right to the number. You will see an "I". Press that, then scroll down and it should say Block this Person. Do so, as needed.

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Question

How do I know if I have been blocked on someone's phone?

Community Answer

When you send a text or call the person, it will tell you, or it will go straight to voicemail when you call.

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Tips

Using Do Not Disturb (also called Focus) will allow you to block/silence incoming calls temporarily without needing to block any contacts.

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