Block a number directly from your phone

The fastest way to block a number on Verizon is through your phone itself, without calling anyone or visiting a website. When you see a call or text from a number you want to block, you can reject it right there — most phones save that blocked number automatically.

On an iPhone, open the Phone app, find the number in your recent calls or in a text message thread, 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, long-press the number in your call history, and select "Block number" from the menu that appears. The exact wording varies by Android manufacturer, but the option is always in that menu.

Once you block a number this way, calls and texts from that number go straight to voicemail and you won't see notifications. The person calling won't hear that the number is blocked — they'll just get your voicemail or a message that you're unavailable.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block numbers directly on your phone through the Phone or Messages app without contacting Verizon.
  • Verizon also offers Call Filter, a free app that blocks spam and robocalls automatically, with a paid version that adds more features.
  • Blocked calls go to voicemail and you receive no notification that someone tried to reach you.
  • If you block a contact by mistake, you can unblock them the same way you blocked them — through your phone's settings.

Use Verizon Call Filter for automatic spam blocking

Verizon Call Filter is a free app that identifies and blocks spam and robocalls before they reach you. It works in the background and doesn't require you to manually block each number — it recognizes patterns of spam calls and stops them automatically.

To turn on Call Filter, go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android), search for "Verizon Call Filter", and install it. Open the app and toggle on "Block spam and robocalls". The free version blocks most unwanted calls. If you want to block calls from people not in your contacts, or if you want a call to ring through only if the number is saved in your phone, you can pay for Call Filter Plus, which adds those features.

Call Filter also shows you a spam risk label on incoming calls so you know why a call is being flagged, even if it gets through. This is useful when you're not sure whether to answer.

Block numbers through your Verizon account online

If you want to manage blocked numbers from a computer or see a list of everything you've blocked, you can do it through your Verizon account. Go to verizon.com, sign in with your account username and password, and look for "Manage blocked numbers" or "Call blocking" in the account settings.

From there you can add a number to block, remove a number from your blocked list, or see all the numbers you've already blocked. This is the same blocking that happens on your phone — it's just another way to manage the same list. Changes you make online show up on your phone within a few minutes.

What happens when you block a number

When you block a number on Verizon, that person's calls and text messages are sent directly to voicemail. You won't see a missed call notification, and text messages won't appear in your message threads. The blocked person doesn't receive a message saying they've been blocked — they straightforward won't reach you.

The blocked person may notice they can't reach you if they try repeatedly, but Verizon doesn't send them a notification. If they call from a different number, that call will come through normally unless you've blocked that number too.

Blocking is permanent until you unblock the number. You can unblock someone at any time by going back to your phone's settings or your Verizon account and removing them from the blocked list.

Unblock a number if you change your mind

If you blocked a number by mistake or want to hear from that person again, unblocking takes the same steps as blocking. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Phone, select Blocked Contacts, find the number, and tap "Edit" then "Unblock". On Android, open the Phone app, go to Settings, find Blocked numbers, and tap the X or delete icon next to the number you want to unblock.

If you blocked the number through your Verizon account online, sign back in, find the blocked number in your list, and select "Unblock" or "Remove". Once you unblock, that person's calls and texts will come through normally again.

Block numbers from specific contacts

If someone in your contacts is harassing you and you want to block them, you can block them directly from their contact card. On iPhone, open Contacts, find the person, tap "Edit", scroll to the bottom, and tap "Block this Caller". On Android, open Contacts, select the person, tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Block number".

Blocking a contact works the same way as blocking a number — their calls and texts go to voicemail and you won't be notified. The difference is that you're blocking them from their saved contact rather than from a recent call or text, which can be easier if you have a lot of recent calls to scroll through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the person I blocked tell that I've blocked them?

No. They won't receive a notification that they're blocked. They'll straightforward reach your voicemail when they call, the same as if your phone were off or you didn't answer. If they text, the message may or may not show as delivered depending on your phone type, but they won't see a message saying you blocked them.

Will blocking a number stop them from texting me?

Yes. Text messages from a blocked number won't appear in your message threads. They go to a blocked messages folder that you can view in your phone's settings if you need to, but you won't get notifications when they arrive.

What's the difference between Call Filter free and Call Filter Plus?

The free version blocks known spam and robocalls automatically. Call Filter Plus adds the ability to block all calls from people not in your contacts, and to see caller ID for unknown numbers. You pay a monthly fee for Plus, which you can cancel anytime through the app.

If I block someone, can they leave me a voicemail?

Yes. Blocked calls go to your voicemail, so the person can leave a message. You won't be notified that they called, but if you check your voicemail, you'll see their message. You can listen to it or delete it without calling them back.

Can I block a number that keeps calling from different numbers?

You can block each individual number as it comes in, but if someone is spoofing their number or using a different line each time, blocking individual numbers won't stop them all. In that case, Call Filter's automatic spam detection is more useful because it recognizes patterns of harassment rather than just matching phone numbers.