Block calls directly on your phone
Most phones let you block a number right from the call log or contacts app without installing anything extra. When a call comes in that you don't want, you can reject it when ready, then add that number to a blocked list. The blocked caller won't reach you again — their call goes straight to voicemail, and you won't see a notification.
The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android phone, but both work the same way: find the number you want to block, open its details, and select a block option. Once blocked, that number stays blocked until you remove it from your blocked list.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can block numbers through the Phone app, Contacts app, or by swiping left on a recent call and tapping Block This Caller.
- Android users can open the Phone app, find the number in the call log, tap and hold it, then select Block Number or Block This Caller.
- Blocked callers hear a message saying the call cannot be completed, and their calls go to voicemail if you have it set up.
- You can unblock a number at any time by going to your blocked list and removing it.
- If you receive many unwanted calls, your phone's built-in filter can automatically silence calls from unknown numbers.
Block a number on iPhone
Open the Phone app and go to the Recents tab at the bottom. Find the number you want to block, tap the small circle with an "i" next to it, then scroll down and tap Block This Caller. The number is now blocked.
You can also block from your Contacts app. Open Contacts, find the person or number, tap Edit in the top right, scroll to the bottom, and tap Block This Caller. If you want to block a number that's not in your contacts yet, you can add it first, then follow the same steps.
To see all your blocked numbers, open Settings, scroll down to Phone, tap Blocked Contacts, and you'll see the full list. From here you can tap Edit and remove any number you want to unblock.
Block a number on Android
Open the Phone app and go to the Recents or Call Log tab. Find the number you want to block, press and hold it until a menu appears, then tap Block Number or Block This Caller (the exact wording varies by phone maker). The number is now blocked.
You can also block from your Contacts app. Open Contacts, find the person, tap the three dots or menu icon at the top right, and select Block Number. If the number isn't in your contacts, open the Phone app, tap the three dots at the top, go to Settings, then Blocked Numbers, and add the number manually.
To see your blocked numbers, open the Phone app, tap the three dots at the top, go to Settings, then Blocked Numbers. You can tap any number in the list and select Unblock to remove it.
Use your phone's call filter to silence unknown numbers
If you get calls from many different numbers you don't recognize, blocking them one at a time takes too long. Instead, turn on your phone's built-in filter to automatically silence calls from people not in your contacts.
On iPhone, open Settings, go to Phone, tap Silence Unknown Callers, and turn it on. Unknown numbers will still reach your voicemail, but you won't hear your phone ring. Your contacts will ring normally.
On Android, the option is in the Phone app. Tap the three dots at the top, go to Settings, then Blocked Numbers, and turn on Block Unknown. Some Android phones call this Filter Unknown Calls or Filter Spam. The exact name depends on your phone maker, but the setting is always in the Phone app's settings menu.
What happens when you block a number
When you block a number, the caller hears a message saying the call cannot be completed as dialed, or that the number is not accepting calls. They don't hear "you blocked me" — it sounds like a technical problem on their end. Their call goes to your voicemail if you have voicemail set up, but you won't see a missed call notification.
Text messages from blocked numbers also don't reach you. If the person tries to text you, the message goes nowhere, and they may or may not get a delivery error depending on their phone type. You won't see any notification that they tried.
Blocked numbers can still leave voicemail, but you won't be notified. If you want to check what they left, you can listen to your voicemail manually, but most people never do.
Unblock a number if you change your mind
You can remove any number from your blocked list at any time. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Phone, then Blocked Contacts, and swipe left on the number you want to unblock. Tap Unblock. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then Blocked Numbers, tap the number, and select Unblock.
Once unblocked, that person can call and text you normally again. You'll see their calls in your recent calls list and get notifications as usual.
When blocking isn't enough
If you block a number and the person calls from a different number, you'll need to block the new number too. Spam callers often use different numbers each time, so blocking one number won't stop them all.
If you're getting calls from many different numbers, your phone's unknown caller filter (Silence Unknown Callers on iPhone, Block Unknown on Android) is more effective than blocking individual numbers. You can also report spam numbers to your phone carrier — most carriers have a way to report spam through their website or app, and they use that information to improve their spam-blocking systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
No. They'll hear a message that sounds like a technical error, not a message saying they're blocked. They may suspect it if they call repeatedly and always get the same message, but your phone won't tell them directly.
Can I block text messages from someone without blocking their calls?
No. When you block a number on iPhone or Android, both calls and texts are blocked together. You can't block one without the other using your phone's built-in tools.
What if someone calls me from a blocked number using a different phone?
You'll see the call normally because it's coming from a different number. You'll need to block that new number separately. If this keeps happening, use your phone's unknown caller filter instead of blocking individual numbers.
Do blocked calls use my minutes or data?
No. Blocked calls don't connect to your phone, so they don't use any of your plan's minutes or data. The call is rejected before it reaches your phone.
Can I block a number if I don't know who it is?
Yes. You can block any number from your call log, even if it's not saved in your contacts. Open the Phone app, find the number, and follow the block steps for your phone type. You don't need to know the person's name.