How to block a phone number or text on your smartphone

There are tons of reasons why you’d want to block a phone number. Maybe you got a spam call and want to make sure that you don’t get another call from that same number. Or maybe you don’t want to hear from someone anymore.

Whatever your reasoning is, you have a right to know how to prevent someone from calling you. That’s why I have provided the steps below to show you how to quickly block a phone number or text, whether you have an iPhone or Android.

 

There are two ways that you can block a number in your phone. If you want to block a random number that has called you, follow these steps.

  • Open your Phone app (the green one with the telephone icon)
  • Tap Recents at the bottom of the screen
  • When you see the phone number you want to block, tap the lowercase “i” to the right of the number
  • Scroll to the bottom and select Block this Caller
  • Click Block Contact to confirm

If you want to block a number that you have saved as a contact, follow these steps:

  • Open your Phone app (the green one with the telephone icon)
  • Click Contacts at the bottom of the screen
  • Select the name of the Contact you wish to block
  • Scroll to the bottom and select Block this Caller
  • Click Block Contact to confirm

GO DEEPER: HOW TO AVOID BEING DUPED BY ROBOCALLS NOW AND FOREVER

 

On an Android, you can block a contact and also block unknown numbers. Here’s how to block a contact.

  • Open your Phone app
  • Tap the 3 vertical dots and select Call History
  • Tap a call from the number you want to block.
  • Tap Block/report spam

To block unknown numbers, do the following:

  • Open your Phone app
  • Tap the 3 vertical dots
  • Go to Settings and select Blocked Numbers 
  • Turn on Unknown

 

  • Open the Messages app on your iPhone and then the message from the number you want to block
  • Tap the number or contact name at the top of the conversation
  • Tap Info
  • Scroll down and tap Block this Caller

 

Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

  • Open the messaging app on your Android device
  • Find the spam message you want to block
  • Tap and hold the message until a menu appears
  • Look for an option like Block or Spam and select it
  • Confirm you want to block future messages from that sender

 

Most carriers also offer options to block spam calls and texts such as Verizon’s Block Calls & Messages, AT&T’s Secure Family,  and T-Mobile’s Message blocking.  The exact steps to use these features will vary depending on your carrier.

 

Regrettably, there is a high probability that your phone number is readily available on many lists sold by data brokers to hundreds of people search websites.  However, if you remove it from the web it can reduce the likelihood of spammers and telemarketers obtaining your number and contacting you.

A service like Incogni can help you remove all this personal information from the internet. It has a very clean interface and will scan 195 websites for your information and remove it and keep it removed.

Special for CyberGuy Readers (60% off):  Incogni offers A 30-day money-back guarantee and then charges a special CyberGuy discount only through the links in this article of $5.99/month for one person (billed annually) or $13.19/month for your family (up to 4 people) on their annual plan and get a fully automated data removal service, including recurring removal from 190+ data brokers.  You can add up to 3 emails, 3 home addresses and 3 phone numbers (U.S. citizens only) and have them removed from data-broker databases.  I recommend the family plan because it works out to only $4.12 per person per month for year-round coverage. It’s an excellent service, and I highly recommend at least trying it out to see what it’s all about.

Get Incogni here

Get Incogni for your family (up to 4 people) here

 

Related: How to reclaim your phone and block unwelcome political text messages

How to reclaim your phone and block unwelcome political text messages

 

WHY CELLPHONE COMPANIES NOW MUST BLOCK OBVIOUS SCAM TEXTS

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6 comments

John Schorman April 29, 2023 - 5:24 am
I get a voice mail in Spanish every time my phone restarts. I'm an English only speaker. I want to know how to block this voice mail, but can't seem to do it. I don't see any option.
Kurt Knutsson April 29, 2023 - 12:41 pm
Hi John, please take a look at our article here that dives deeper into how to block more of these calls.
Peggy Acree April 30, 2023 - 5:35 am
I liked your article about blocking phone call but here is my problem: I have a VA 540 area code, I have gotten more robo calls from, just about every little community in VA. I block one number then I get another call from another small town in VA. I have asked that my name be taken off of their list, I have submitted a list of these phone number to be shut down. The calls stop for a period of time and then they start all over again. Is there a way to stop these calls once forever?
Kurt Knutsson April 30, 2023 - 9:17 am
Hi Peggy, These scammers who are creating the Robocalls are always updating their numbers and tactics. Please refer to this article for additional steps you can take to block them.
Dave L August 18, 2024 - 1:03 pm
I get texts from a 5 digit number with a blue url attached. How do I block this?
Kurt Knutsson August 18, 2024 - 4:49 pm
Hi Dave, follow our tips here for blocking spam text.
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