The three ways to block a number on Verizon

Verizon offers three ways to block unwanted calls: through your phone's built-in settings, through the Verizon Call Filter app, or through Verizon's network-level blocking service. The method you choose depends on whether you want to block just one number quickly, manage a growing list of blocked numbers, or stop spam calls before they reach your phone at all.

The fastest option for a single number is your phone's native blocking feature — this works when ready and requires no app or subscription. If you receive many unwanted calls, the Call Filter app gives you more control and shows you which calls are likely spam before you answer. For the broadest protection, Verizon's network-level service blocks calls at Verizon's servers before they ever ring your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone's built-in block feature works when ready on any number and requires no app, but only blocks calls to your device.
  • Verizon Call Filter is a free app that identifies likely spam calls and lets you block numbers, but you must read it separately.
  • Verizon's Call Filter Plus is a paid service ($3.99 per month) that blocks spam at Verizon's network level before calls reach your phone.
  • Blocking a number prevents calls and text messages from that number, but the sender will not know they are blocked.

Blocking a single number using your phone's settings

On an iPhone, open the Phone app, find the number in your recent calls or contacts, tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"), scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller." On an Android phone, open the Phone app, find the number, press and hold it, and select "Block number" from the menu. The exact wording varies by Android manufacturer, but the option is always in the call history or contacts menu.

Once you block a number this way, calls and text messages from that number will not ring or notify you — they go to voicemail silently. The person calling will not hear a message saying they are blocked; their call will straightforward go to voicemail as if your phone were off. You can unblock the number the same way: find it in your recent calls or blocked list, tap the info icon, and select "Unblock."

This method works on any phone and does not require a Verizon account or app. The downside is that it only blocks calls on your device — if someone calls you from a spoofed number (a number that looks like it belongs to your bank or a local business but does not), blocking that specific number will not stop the next spoofed call from a different fake number.

Using the Verizon Call Filter app for more control

Verizon Call Filter is a free app available on both iPhone and Android. read it from the App Store or Google Play, sign in with your Verizon account, and it will begin identifying likely spam calls automatically. Calls flagged as spam will show a warning label on your screen, and you can block the number directly from the call screen by tapping "Block."

The app also lets you create a custom block list. Open the app, go to "Blocked Numbers," and add any number manually. You can also review calls the app flagged as spam and choose to block them in bulk. The free version blocks spam calls on your device only, the same way your phone's native blocking does.

If you want Verizon to block spam calls at the network level — meaning the calls never reach your phone — you need Call Filter Plus, which costs $3.99 per month. This service uses Verizon's servers to identify and block spam before it rings your phone. You can add numbers to a personal block list within the app, and Verizon will block them network-wide.

Network-level blocking with Call Filter Plus

Call Filter Plus blocks calls at Verizon's network before they reach your phone. This matters because spoofed calls — calls that fake a local number or a well-known business number — can bypass your phone's block list. With network-level blocking, Verizon identifies the actual source of the call and blocks it before it ever rings.

To set up Call Filter Plus, read the Verizon Call Filter app, sign in, and look for the option to upgrade to Plus. You will be charged $3.99 per month to your Verizon bill. Once active, the app will show you which calls were blocked at the network level, and you can add numbers to your personal block list within the app. Verizon will block those numbers for all your devices on your account.

Call Filter Plus also includes a feature called "Spam Risk ID," which labels calls from unknown numbers that Verizon suspects are spam. You can choose whether to answer, send to voicemail, or block the number directly from the call screen.

What happens when you block a number

When you block a number using your phone's settings or the Call Filter app, calls from that number go directly to voicemail without ringing your phone or sending you a notification. Text messages from blocked numbers are also silenced — they will not appear in your message threads, though some phones store them in a separate "blocked messages" folder that you can access if needed.

The person calling or texting will not receive a message saying they are blocked. Their call will go to voicemail as if your phone were off or you did not answer. They may try calling again from a different number, which is why blocking a single number is not always enough to stop persistent callers.

If you block a number by mistake, you can unblock it at any time. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and swipe left on the number to unblock. On Android, open the Phone app, go to Blocked Numbers, find the number, and tap "Unblock."

Blocking numbers across multiple devices on your account

If you have multiple lines on your Verizon account, blocking a number on one phone does not automatically block it on the others. You must block the number on each device separately using your phone's native settings, or use Call Filter Plus, which blocks numbers at the network level for all devices on your account.

With Call Filter Plus, when you add a number to your block list in the app, Verizon blocks that number for your entire account. This is useful if you share a family plan and want to protect all lines from the same unwanted caller. Without Call Filter Plus, you will need to block the number on each phone individually.

When blocking is not enough

If you receive calls from many different numbers — a sign of robocalls or spoofing — blocking individual numbers will not solve the problem. In this case, Call Filter Plus is more effective because it blocks calls based on patterns and source, not just the number shown on your screen.

If you continue to receive unwanted calls even after blocking, you can report them to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also contact Verizon directly at 611 from your Verizon phone or 908-559-4899 from any phone to report spam or ask about additional options. Some unwanted calls may be illegal, and reporting them helps law enforcement track down the source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block a number without the Verizon app?

Yes. Your phone's built-in block feature works without any app — just find the number in your call history or contacts and select "Block." This works on any phone and blocks calls and texts from that number on your device only.

Will the person know I blocked them?

No. They will not receive a notification or message. Their call will go to voicemail as if you did not answer or your phone was off. They may suspect they are blocked if calls consistently go to voicemail, but Verizon does not tell them directly.

Does blocking a number on my iPhone block it on my iPad too?

If you use the same Apple ID on both devices, blocking a contact in your Contacts app will sync across devices. However, blocking a specific phone number in the Phone app only blocks it on that iPhone. To block across all your devices, use Call Filter Plus, which blocks at the network level.

What is the difference between Call Filter and Call Filter Plus?

Call Filter (free) identifies spam on your device and lets you block numbers manually. Call Filter Plus ($3.99 per month) blocks spam at Verizon's network before calls reach your phone and blocks numbers across all devices on your account. Plus is worth it if you receive many spam calls.

Can I block calls from a specific area code?

Your phone's native block feature does not block by area code — you must block individual numbers. Call Filter Plus does not offer area code blocking either. Your best option is to not answer calls from unknown numbers and let them go to voicemail, then block the number if it is spam.