4 Simple Ways to Block a Phone Number or Contact on iPhone

Quick ways to stop a phone number from calling or texting your iPhone

Co-authored by Mitch Harris and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: March 11, 2023 Tested

Adding Contacts to Block List

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Blocking from Recent Calls

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Blocking from Messages

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Unblocking Numbers

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

Do you need to block incoming calls or messages from a phone number you don't know? If you suspect you're being contacted by a spam number, or if you no longer want to speak to someone specific, you can easily block their number in a few simple steps. You can block numbers or contacts in your Settings, the Phone app, and even the Messages app. This wikiHow will show you how to block and prevent unwanted phone calls or messages from a phone number on your iPhone.

Things You Should Know

Open "Settings" → "Phone" → "Blocked Contacts" → "Add New…" → tap the contact.
Open "Phone" → "Recents" → "i" → "Block this Caller" → "Block Contact".
To unblock, open "Settings" → "Phone" → "Blocked Contacts" → "Edit" → minus sign → "Unblock".

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Adding Contacts to Block List

1
Open the Settings app. This looks like a grey cog icon.^{[1]
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- Make sure to update your iPhone.
- Use this method to block a phone number in your Contacts.
2
Tap Phone. You can find this in the middle of the page, underneath Voice Memos.

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3
Tap Blocked Contacts. This will be underneath Call Blocking & Identification.
4
Tap Add New…. You can find this at the very bottom of the page. If you have many numbers blocked, you may need to scroll to find this option.
5
Tap the contact you want to block. They will be added to the block list.
- To block another number, tap Add New… again and select a new contact.
- To unblock a number, tap Edit in the top-right corner → tap the red minus sign → tap Unblock.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Blocking from Recent Calls

1
Open the Phone app. This looks like a white phone icon with a green background.
2
Tap Recents. It's a clock icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.
3
Tap i next to the number you want to block. It's on the right side of the screen.
4
Tap Block this Caller. This will be in red, at the very bottom of the page.
5
Tap Block Contact. The phone number will be blocked on your iPhone.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Blocking from Messages

1
Open the Messages app. This looks like a white chat bubble icon 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.
3
Tap the contact photo. In most cases, this will be a grey person icon.
- A pop-up menu will open.
4
Tap info. This will be located underneath the phone number, to the right.
5
Tap Block this Caller. This will be in red, at the very bottom of the page.
6
Tap Block Contact. The phone number will be blocked on your iPhone.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Unblocking Numbers

1
Open the Settings app. This looks like a grey cog icon.
- Use this method to unblock a phone number or a contact.
2
Tap Phone. You can find this in the middle of the page, underneath Voice Memos.
3
Tap Blocked Contacts. This will be underneath Call Blocking & Identification.
4
Tap Edit. This is at the top-right corner.
- You'll see a list of all blocked numbers.
5
Tap the red minus icon, then tap Unblock. The phone number will be unblocked on your iPhone.
- The phone number will be able to call and send messages to your iPhone.

Community Q&A

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.
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.
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.