To block a number on iPhone, open the Phone app, tap Recents, tap the number (or the Info button in the Classic layout), scroll down and tap Block Caller. In Messages, open the conversation, tap the contact at the top, then Block Caller or Block Contact.
Blocking works across Phone, Messages and FaceTime. The caller can still leave a voicemail, but you won’t be notified, and their texts aren’t delivered.
Blocking takes a few seconds and the person isn’t told. It’s the right fix for one ex, one pushy salesperson or one scammer who keeps calling. For waves of robocalls from new numbers every day, you’ll want the screening and filtering settings further down too. These steps follow Apple’s support documentation for current iOS versions. More help is in our iPhone guides.
How to block a number on iPhone from Recents
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap Recents (in the newer unified layout, recent calls appear under Calls).
- Tap the phone number or contact you want to block. In the Classic layout, tap the Info button next to it instead.
- Scroll down and tap Block Caller, then confirm.
To block someone saved in your contacts, Apple’s iPhone guide also shows this route: in the Phone app, tap Contacts, tap the person, then tap Block Contact.
Block a number from Messages, FaceTime or Mail
- Messages: open the conversation and tap the contact or icon at the top. Tap Info if you see it, scroll down, then tap Block Caller or Block Contact. Apple notes that blocking someone in Messages also blocks them in Mail, Phone, FaceTime, Calendar and other apps.
- FaceTime: tap the phone number, contact or email address, scroll down, then tap Block Caller.
- Mail: open an email from the sender, tap their name at the top, tap View Contact Card, then Block this Contact.
You can’t block a group conversation in Messages. Apple suggests leaving the group or muting its notifications instead.
Block a number in Settings
To block a number that isn’t in your recent calls, Apple’s support page gives this path for iOS 26: Settings → Privacy & Security → Blocked Contacts → Add Blocked Contact. Enter the contact, then tap Block Contact. Apple’s current iPhone guide also lists Blocked Contacts under Settings → Apps → Phone, so check both if you don’t see it straight away.
What happens when you block someone
| What they try | What happens |
|---|---|
| Phone call | You aren’t notified. Apple says they can still leave a voicemail, but you won’t get an alert for it. |
| Text or iMessage | The message isn’t delivered to you. |
| FaceTime | Blocked along with calls and messages. |
| Finding out | Apple says the sender isn’t told they’ve been blocked. |
Blocking only stops that exact number. Scammers often switch numbers, which is why the filters below matter more for spam.
How to unblock a number
- Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Blocked Contacts. On some versions you’ll find it under Settings → Apps → Phone → Blocked Contacts.
- Tap Edit.
- Tap the delete button next to the number, then tap Unblock.
Not getting someone’s texts? Check this list first. It’s easy to block a number by accident.
Stop spam calls from new numbers
Blocking one scam number won’t stop the next. Apple’s call screening and filters handle numbers you’ve never seen. All of these are in Settings → Apps → Phone:
- Screen Unknown Callers: choose Ask Reason for Calling, and your iPhone answers unknown numbers, asks who’s calling and why, then rings with their answer. Choose Silence to send unknown callers straight to voicemail, or Never to turn screening off.
- Call Filtering → Unknown Callers: moves missed calls and voicemails from unknown numbers into a separate Unknown Callers list.
- Call Filtering → Spam: calls your carrier identifies as potential spam or fraud are silenced, sent to voicemail and moved to a Spam list.
- Call Blocking & Identification: turn on business caller ID and any supported caller ID apps you’ve installed.
To see filtered calls, open the Phone app, tap the Filter button, then Unknown Callers or Spam. Expecting a call from a doctor or delivery driver? Ask Reason for Calling is safer than Silence, because they can still get through. Our full guide to blocking spam calls also covers carrier tools and the Do Not Call Registry.
Filter spam texts too
In the Messages app, tap the Filter button in the conversation list, tap Manage Filtering, then turn on Screen Unknown Senders. Messages from numbers you don’t know go to a separate folder without notifying you. To report a spam text you haven’t opened, swipe left on it, tap the delete button, then Delete and Report Spam. Apple notes you can’t report a message after you’ve replied. See how to stop spam texts for more.
If blocking doesn’t seem to work
- The same scammer calls from new numbers: that’s normal. Blocking is per number. Turn on Silence or Ask Reason for Calling, plus the Spam filter.
- You still see voicemails from a blocked number: Apple says blocked callers can still leave voicemail. You just won’t be notified.
- Group texts still arrive: group conversations can’t be blocked. Leave the group or mute it.
- No report option for SMS spam: Apple says this depends on your carrier. Contact your carrier.
- Someone is threatening you: blocking hides them but isn’t a safety plan. Save the evidence and contact local police. If you think someone has access to your phone, read how to tell if your phone is hacked.
Related guide: USPS Text Scam: How to Spot the Fake “Package” Text.
FAQ
Does a blocked number know they are blocked on iPhone?
No. Apple says the sender isn’t notified that they’ve been blocked.
Can a blocked number still leave a voicemail?
Yes. Apple says blocked callers can still leave a voicemail, but you won’t get a notification.
How do I block a number that isn’t in my recent calls?
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Blocked Contacts → Add Blocked Contact. On newer versions, also check Settings → Apps → Phone → Blocked Contacts.
How do I block all unknown numbers on iPhone?
Go to Settings → Apps → Phone, then set Screen Unknown Callers to Silence. Unknown callers go straight to voicemail.
Does blocking someone on iPhone block their texts too?
Yes. Blocking a number stops calls, messages and FaceTime from it. Apple says messages from a blocked number aren’t delivered.
Sources
- Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)
- Manage unknown callers on iPhone (Apple Support)
- Screen and block calls on iPhone (iPhone User Guide, Apple Support)
- Report spam and block senders in Messages on iPhone (iPhone User Guide, Apple Support)
- Screen and filter text messages on iPhone (iPhone User Guide, Apple Support)
