The basic steps for blocking a number
Blocking a number on your cell phone stops calls and text messages from that number from reaching you. The exact steps depend on whether you use an iPhone or Android device, but both let you block directly from your phone's call history or contacts app — you do not need to read anything extra or contact your carrier.
On an iPhone, open the Phone app, find the number in your recent calls, swipe left on it, and tap the block icon. On Android, open the Phone app, press and hold the number in your call history, and select "Block number" from the menu. Either way, the blocked number will not be able to reach you by phone or text, though they may not know they have been blocked.
If you want to unblock a number later, the process is just as straightforward: go back to your phone's settings, find the blocked list, and remove the number. You can block and unblock as many times as you need.
Key Takeaways
- iPhone users can block a number by opening the Phone app, swiping left on the number in recent calls, and tapping the block icon.
- Android users can block a number by pressing and holding it in the Phone app and selecting "Block number" from the menu.
- Blocked numbers cannot call or text you, but they will not receive a notification that they have been blocked.
- You can unblock a number at any time by going to your blocked list in phone settings and removing it.
- Blocking through your phone's built-in tools is free and does not require your carrier's involvement.
Blocking a number on iPhone
Open the Phone app on your home screen. Tap the "Recents" tab at the bottom to see your call history. Find the number you want to block in the list.
Swipe left on that number with your finger. A red "Block this Caller" button will appear on the right side of the screen. Tap it. A confirmation message will pop up asking if you are sure — tap "Block Contact" to confirm. The number is now blocked.
If the number is already saved in your contacts, you can also block it from there. Open the Contacts app, find the person, tap "Edit" in the top right, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller." The result is the same either way.
Blocking a number on Android
Open the Phone app on your home screen. Tap the "Recents" or "Call History" tab to see your recent calls. Find the number you want to block and press and hold it until a menu appears.
Tap "Block number" or "Block" from the menu options. Some Android phones may say "Add to reject list" instead. A confirmation message will appear — tap "Block" or "OK" to finish. The number is now blocked.
If the number is in your contacts, you can also block it directly from the Contacts app. Open Contacts, find the person, tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right, and select "Block number." The blocked number will not be able to call or text you.
What happens when you block a number
When you block a number, calls from that number will not ring your phone — they will go straight to voicemail, though the caller will not hear a special message saying they are blocked. Text messages from a blocked number will not appear in your messages app at all. You will not see any notification that they tried to contact you.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that they have been blocked. If they call, they will hear their phone ring normally, but your phone will not ring. If they text, they will not get a delivery confirmation, which may make them suspect they have been blocked, but they cannot know for certain.
Blocking is one-way: you will not receive their calls or texts, but you can still call or text them if you choose to. If you want to prevent yourself from contacting them, you would need to delete their number or use a different blocking method through your carrier.
Unblocking a number you blocked by mistake
If you blocked a number by accident, you can unblock it quickly. On iPhone, open Settings, scroll down and tap "Phone," then tap "Blocked Contacts." Find the number you want to unblock and swipe left on it. Tap "Unblock" in red. The number is now unblocked and can reach you again.
On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right, and select "Settings" or "Blocked numbers." Find the number in the list and tap the minus sign or "Unblock" button next to it. Confirm the action if prompted. The number can now call and text you again.
There is no penalty for unblocking — you can block and unblock the same number as many times as you need. The person you unblocked will not be notified that you have unblocked them.
Blocking unknown or private numbers
If you are getting calls from unknown numbers or numbers that show as "Private" or "Blocked," you cannot block them the same way because there is no specific number to select. Instead, most phones let you silence calls from unknown callers or set up a filter.
On iPhone, go to Settings, tap "Phone," then turn on "Silence Unknown Callers." Unknown numbers will go straight to voicemail, though some legitimate calls (like from your bank or doctor) may also be silenced. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to "Settings," and look for "Spam and abuse" or "Block unknown." Turn on the option to block or filter unknown numbers.
If a specific unknown number keeps calling, try to get them to reveal their number by answering once and asking who they are. Once you have the number, you can block it using the steps above. Some carriers also offer spam-blocking services you can turn on through your phone's settings, though these work differently depending on your provider.
When blocking through your phone is not enough
Blocking a number on your phone stops calls and texts from reaching you, but some people use different numbers to contact you repeatedly. If one person keeps calling from multiple numbers, blocking each one individually can become tedious.
In that case, contact your carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or whoever provides your service. Most carriers offer a service that blocks calls at the network level, which is more powerful than phone-level blocking. You may have to pay a small monthly fee, usually between two and five dollars, but it can block patterns of calls rather than just individual numbers.
If the calls are harassing or threatening, you can also file a report with your local police department or the Federal Trade Commission. Keep records of the calls — dates, times, and what was said — to show authorities. Your carrier may be able to help you trace the calls or take action against the caller.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked number tell that I blocked them?
No. When someone calls a blocked number, the call goes to voicemail and sounds normal to them. They will not hear a message saying they are blocked. They may suspect it if texts do not deliver or if they never hear back, but they cannot know for certain from the phone alone.
Will a blocked number still see my text messages?
No. Text messages you send to a blocked number will not be delivered, and texts from a blocked number will not appear in your messages app. If you send a text to someone you have blocked, it will sit in your outbox or fail to send, depending on your phone.
What if I block someone by accident and they try to reach me?
Their calls will go to voicemail and their texts will not go through. They will not know they are blocked. Once you unblock them, any messages they sent while blocked will not suddenly appear — you will only receive new messages from that point forward.
Can I block a number without opening the Phone app?
Yes. If the number is saved in your Contacts, you can open Contacts, find the person, and block them from their contact card. You can also block a number from a text message by opening the conversation and selecting the block option, which varies slightly by phone model.
Does my carrier need to know I blocked a number?
No. Blocking through your phone's built-in tools does not involve your carrier. Your carrier only gets involved if you want network-level blocking, which is a separate service they offer for a fee and is more powerful than phone-level blocking.