Block a Single Number in Messages

Open the Messages app and find a text from the number you want to block. Press and hold the message thread until a menu appears, then tap Block this Caller. The person's texts will no longer reach your phone, and their messages will disappear from your inbox.

If you want to block someone without opening Messages, go to the Phone app, find their number in your recent calls, tap the information icon (the small circle with an "i"), scroll down, and select Block this Caller. You can also block a contact directly from your Contacts app by opening their card and tapping Block this Caller at the bottom.

Once you block a number, that person cannot text you, call you, or reach you through FaceTime. Their messages will not appear in your inbox, but they will not know they are blocked — their message will straightforward fail to send on their end after a delay.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block a number directly from the Messages app by holding down a text thread and selecting Block this Caller.
  • Blocked contacts cannot text, call, or FaceTime you, and their messages will not appear in your inbox.
  • Unknown senders and spam numbers can be filtered automatically using Filter Unknown Senders in Settings.
  • You can unblock a number at any time through Settings > Messages or through the contact's information card.
  • Blocking does not notify the other person, but their messages will fail to send after a delay.

Filter Unknown Senders Automatically

If you receive texts from numbers not in your contacts, you can send them to a separate folder instead of your main inbox. Go to Settings > Messages and turn on Filter Unknown Senders. Texts from people you do not know will move to a separate tab labeled Unknown Senders, keeping your main inbox clear of spam and scam messages.

This setting does not block the messages — they still arrive on your phone, but in a separate place. You can read them if you want to check for legitimate messages from people trying to reach you for the first time. Many people use this feature to reduce the number of phishing texts and account verification scams that appear in their main inbox.

Block Contacts Through Settings

You can see all your blocked numbers and manage them from one place. Go to Settings > Messages (or Settings > Phone if you want to block calls as well) and scroll down to find Blocked Contacts. Tap Edit to add new numbers to your blocked list or remove numbers you no longer want to block.

This method is useful if you want to block someone you have not heard from yet, or if you want to unblock a number without searching through your messages. You can also block numbers through Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts if you want to prevent both calls and texts from the same person.

Unblock a Number You Blocked by Mistake

If you blocked someone and want to receive their messages again, go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts and swipe left on the number you want to unblock. Tap Unblock, and that person's texts will reach your inbox again. You can also tap Edit at the top of the Blocked Contacts list and tap the red minus sign next to any number.

Once you unblock a number, you will start receiving their messages when ready. Any messages they sent while you had them blocked will not appear — those texts are permanently deleted from your phone.

Report Spam and Phishing Texts

Blocking stops a message from reaching you, but reporting it helps Apple and your carrier identify patterns of spam and fraud. When you receive a suspicious text, hold down the message and tap Report Junk. Your carrier will receive the report and may take action against the sender if many people report the same number.

If a text appears to be a phishing attempt — asking you to verify your Apple ID, confirm your bank details, or click a link to update your account — report it even if you do not recognize the sender. These messages often come from spoofed numbers that look like they are from real companies. Reporting helps your carrier and Apple track these scams and warn other users.

Prevent Texts from Specific Apps and Services

Some unwanted texts come from apps you installed or services you signed up for. If you receive repeated texts from a business or app you no longer use, open the message and look for an Unsubscribe link at the bottom. Tap it to remove yourself from their mailing list. This is faster than blocking and stops the messages at the source.

If there is no unsubscribe link, you can reply with the word STOP to most marketing texts, and the sender should remove your number. If the texts continue after you unsubscribe or reply STOP, then block the number. Keep a record of when you unsubscribed in case you need to report the sender to the Federal Trade Commission for violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked them?

No, they will not receive a notification that you blocked them. However, their messages will fail to send after a delay, and they may notice that your read receipts stop appearing if you had them turned on. Over time, they might realize they are blocked, but iPhone does not tell them directly.

Can I block texts but still receive calls from someone?

Not with a single setting. When you block a contact on iPhone, you block both texts and calls. If you want to receive calls but not texts from someone, you will need to use a third-party app or block them in Messages only and manage calls separately through Do Not Disturb or a custom contact ringtone.

What happens to messages from a blocked number?

Messages from blocked numbers do not appear in your inbox or anywhere else on your phone. They are deleted automatically. The sender will not know the message failed to deliver when ready — it will appear to send on their end, then fail after a delay.

Can I block a number that is not in my contacts?

Yes. You can block any number, even if you have never saved it. Hold down a text from that number in Messages and tap Block this Caller, or go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts and tap Edit to add a number manually.

Does blocking someone on iMessage also block their regular texts?

Yes. Blocking works for both iMessage (texts sent over data to other Apple devices) and regular SMS texts. When you block a contact, you block all forms of communication from that number — texts, calls, and FaceTime.