The fastest way to block a number on iPhone

Open the Phone app, find the number you want to block in your recent calls list, tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"), and scroll down to tap "Block this Caller." That's it — the number is blocked when ready. If you don't see the number in your recent calls, go to Contacts, find the person, tap the info icon, and choose "Block this Caller" from the bottom of the screen.

Once a number is blocked, calls and text messages from that number go straight to voicemail and won't show up in your notification center. You won't see any sign that they tried to reach you. The blocked caller won't hear a message saying they're blocked — the call just rings on their end until it goes to voicemail, so they may not realize what happened.

You can block as many numbers as you want. There's no limit, and blocking doesn't use any storage space on your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocked calls go straight to voicemail and produce no notification on your phone, so you won't know someone tried to reach you.
  • You can block a number from your recent calls list in the Phone app or from a contact's information page in seconds.
  • Blocked callers hear a normal ringing sound and can leave voicemail, but they won't see a message telling them they're blocked.
  • You can see your full list of blocked numbers in Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts, and unblock anyone from that same screen.
  • Unknown numbers and spam calls can be filtered automatically using the Silence Unknown Callers feature or a third-party call-filtering app.

Where to find your list of blocked numbers

Open Settings, tap Phone, then tap Blocked Contacts. This screen shows every number you've blocked. The list stays organized by the order you blocked them, with the most recent blocks at the top.

If you change your mind about blocking someone, tap Edit in the top left corner, then tap the red minus sign next to their name. Tap Delete to unblock them. Once unblocked, they can call and text you normally again, and you'll see their calls in your notification center.

Your blocked list is private — other people can't see who you've blocked, and blocked callers won't receive any notification that you've unblocked them.

Blocking unknown numbers and spam calls automatically

If you're getting calls from numbers you don't recognize, you don't have to block each one individually. Turn on Silence Unknown Callers in Settings > Phone. This feature sends calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent calls, or messages straight to voicemail. You'll still see a missed call notification, but you won't hear the phone ring.

Silence Unknown Callers works well if you prefer quiet and don't mind checking voicemail later. However, it also silences legitimate calls from businesses, doctors' offices, and people trying to reach you for the first time. If you need to receive calls from unknown numbers, this feature may not be right for you.

For more aggressive spam filtering, you can read a third-party app like Nomorobo, RoboKiller, or Truecaller from the App Store. These apps use databases of known spam numbers to block calls before they reach you. Some require a subscription, while others are free with optional paid features. Test one for a few days to see if it catches the calls you want blocked without filtering out calls you need.

Blocking contacts and groups in Messages

If someone is texting you instead of calling, you can block them from the Messages app. Open a conversation with the person, tap their name at the top, scroll down, and tap Block this Caller. Text messages from that number will stop appearing in your inbox, and they won't be able to reach you through iMessage or SMS.

Blocking someone in Messages also blocks them in the Phone app — you only need to block once, and it works across both apps. If you block them in Phone first, they're automatically blocked in Messages too.

What happens when you block someone

A blocked caller will hear the phone ring normally. After four or five rings, the call goes to your voicemail. They can leave a message, but you won't be notified that they called or left a voicemail. If you check your voicemail manually, you'll see their message there, but it won't show up as a missed call on your lock screen or in the Phone app.

Text messages from blocked numbers don't appear in your Messages app at all. If they try to send you an iMessage, it will say "Delivered" on their end, but you won't receive it. They won't see any message telling them they're blocked — everything will appear normal to them, which is why blocking is useful for unwanted callers who might otherwise keep trying.

Blocking is different from Do Not Disturb or muting a conversation. Do Not Disturb silences notifications but still lets calls through. Muting a conversation hides notifications from one person but they can still reach you. Blocking prevents contact entirely.

Unblocking a number if you change your mind

Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts, tap Edit, find the number you want to unblock, and tap the red minus sign. Confirm by tapping Delete. The number is when ready unblocked and can call or text you again.

If you've deleted the contact from your phone entirely, you can still unblock the number from the Blocked Contacts list even if it's not in your Contacts app. Once you unblock it, you can add it back to your contacts if you want to keep it.

Blocking calls on older iPhone models

The blocking process is the same on iPhone 6 and newer. If you're using an iPhone 5s or older, you can still block numbers, but the feature works slightly differently. Open the Phone app, find the number in recent calls, swipe left on it, and tap Block. The number is blocked the same way — calls go to voicemail and you won't be notified.

Older iPhones don't have the Silence Unknown Callers feature, but you can still read a third-party call-filtering app from the App Store. These apps work on iPhone 5s and up, though they may run slower on older hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked caller tell they've been blocked?

No. A blocked caller hears the phone ring normally and can leave a voicemail. They won't see a message saying they're blocked. The only way they'd know is if they try to call you repeatedly and always reach voicemail, or if you tell them directly.

Will blocked callers see my voicemail greeting?

Yes. Blocked callers hear your voicemail greeting and can leave a message, but you won't be notified that they called. You can listen to their voicemail if you check manually, but it won't appear as a missed call on your lock screen.

What's the difference between blocking and Do Not Disturb?

Do Not Disturb silences notifications but calls still go through to your phone — you can answer if you want. Blocking prevents the call from reaching you at all; it goes straight to voicemail. Do Not Disturb is for managing notifications; blocking is for preventing contact.

Can I block a number that's not in my contacts?

Yes. You can block any number from your recent calls list in the Phone app, even if you've never saved it as a contact. Open Phone, find the number in your recent calls, tap the info icon, and tap Block this Caller.

If I block someone, will they see my iMessages as delivered?

If they send you an iMessage after you block them, it will show as delivered on their end, but you won't receive it. If you block them after they've already sent you messages, those old messages stay in your conversation thread, but new ones won't come through.