How to Block a Number on iPhone

Use the blocking features in iOS to limit who can call, text, or FaceTime you

What to Know

  • Open the Phone app and tap Recent. Tap the I icon next to the number you wish to block, then scroll down and tap Block This Caller.
  • After they're blocked, they can't call, FaceTime, text, or iMessage you via your iPhone. Other services, like WhatsApp, aren't affected.
  • Blocked people don't know they were blocked. Calls go to voicemail, and they don't see any indication that texts haven't gone through.

This article explains how to block unwanted contacts from calling, texting, or FaceTiming you on your iPhone. Instructions apply to iOS 12 and up, but the functionality is the same for iOS 11 and iOS 10.

How to Block Calls From Telemarketers and Others 

Blocking occurs within the Phone app:

  1. Open the Phone app and tap Recent.

    Instead of using the Recent tab, use the Contacts tab of the Phone app; the procedure is the same.

  2. Tap the I icon next to the number you wish to block to open its detailed information screen.

  3. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Block This Caller.

  4. In the confirmation screen, either tap Block Contact to block the number or tap Cancel if you change your mind.

    Call record in Recents, Block this Caller button, Block Contact confirmation on iPhone

These steps also work to block calls and texts on the iPod touch and iPad. It's also possible for calls coming into your iPhone to show up on those devices. You can disable calls on those devices without blocking calls.

What Is Blocked?

What types of communication are blocked depends on what information you have for this person in your address book:

  • If you have their phone number, they're blocked from calling you, placing FaceTime calls, or sending you texts from the phone number saved on your phone.
  • If you have their email address, they're blocked from texting you through iMessage or placing FaceTime calls using the blocked email address.

Whatever you block, the setting only applies to people using the built-in Phone, Messages, and FaceTime apps that come with the iPhone. If you use apps from other vendors for calling or texting, these settings won't block people from contacting you. Many calling and texting apps offer their own blocking features, so you may be able to block people in those apps with a little research.

In iOS 13, you can do better than blocking calls. You can send robo and spam calls right to voicemail without ever seeing them.

What Do Blocked People See?

The people you block have no idea you blocked them. That's because when they call you, their call goes to voicemail. The same with their texts; they won't see any indication that their text didn't go through. To them, everything will seem normal. You can still call or text them if you want, without changing your block settings.

While there's no way to know for sure, there are a few ways to figure out if someone blocked you, so if the people you blocked grow suspicious, they might be able to figure it out.

Changed your mind and now want to hear from people you previously blocked? Learn how to unblock a number on iPhone and iPad.

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