The fastest way to block a number depends on your phone type

On most phones, blocking a number takes under a minute. If someone has called you, find their number in your recent calls list, tap or right-click it, and select "block" or "block this caller." The exact wording and location change between iPhone, Android, and different carriers, but the principle is the same: your phone stores the number and silently rejects calls from it.

If you want to block a number before they call you — because you know the number or received it in a text — you can enter it directly into your phone's block list. This works the same way: go to your phone's settings or call-blocking app, find the option to add a number manually, and type it in.

Once a number is blocked, calls from that number will not ring through to you. On iPhone, blocked calls go to voicemail but you will not see a notification. On Android, the behavior varies by phone and carrier, but most phones either send blocked calls to voicemail silently or reject them outright.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a number on your phone is free and takes less than a minute, whether you use iPhone, Android, or a basic phone.
  • You can block a number from your recent calls list or by entering the number manually in your phone's settings.
  • Blocked calls typically go to voicemail without notifying you, though the exact behavior depends on your phone model and carrier.
  • If a blocked number keeps calling from different numbers, contact your carrier about spam-blocking tools or consider a third-party app.
  • Blocking a number does not prevent text messages, so you may need to block the same number in your messaging app separately.

How to 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 "i" icon next to it, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller." The number is now blocked.

If you want to block a number you have not received a call from, open Settings, scroll down to Phone, tap Blocking & Identification, and tap "Block Contact." You can then search for a contact or enter a number manually. On newer iPhones, this option may be under Messages or FaceTime instead, depending on which app you want to block the number in.

To see your full block list or unblock a number, go to Settings > Phone > Blocking & Identification. Tap "Block Contact" to see all blocked numbers. Tap "Edit" in the top left, then tap the red minus sign next to any number to unblock it.

How to block a number on Android

Open the Phone app (the one you use to make calls) and go to your recent calls. Long-press the number you want to block until a menu appears, then tap "Block number" or "Block." The exact wording depends on your phone manufacturer and Android version.

If you want to block a number you have not called, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu in the top right, go to Settings, and look for "Blocked numbers" or "Block list." Tap the plus sign to add a number manually. On some Android phones, this option is in the Contacts app instead.

To see or manage your blocked numbers, go back to Settings in the Phone app and tap "Blocked numbers." You can tap any number to unblock it. Some Android phones also let you block numbers directly from your Contacts app — find the contact, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block."

Blocking numbers in text messages and other apps

Blocking a number in your Phone app does not automatically block text messages from that number. You need to block it separately in your messaging app. Open your Messages or SMS app, find the conversation with that number, long-press it, and tap "Block" or "Block this contact." The steps vary slightly depending on which messaging app you use.

If someone is harassing you through a social media app like Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp, you can block them within that app as well. Each app has its own block feature, usually found by tapping the person's profile and selecting "Block" from a menu. Blocking them in one app does not block them in another, so you may need to block the same person in multiple places.

Third-party apps like Google Phone, Truecaller, or your carrier's spam-blocking tool may offer additional blocking options, such as blocking by keyword or blocking all calls from unknown numbers. These apps can be useful if you are receiving many unwanted calls, but they are not required — your phone's built-in blocking works for most situations.

What happens when you block a number

When you block a number, calls from that number will not ring your phone. On iPhone, blocked calls go directly to voicemail, and you will not receive a notification that they called. The blocked caller may hear a message saying the call could not go through, or they may not hear anything — it depends on your carrier.

Text messages from a blocked number behave differently depending on your phone. On iPhone, blocked text messages are hidden in a separate folder that you can view if you want to. On Android, blocked texts are usually deleted automatically, though some phones let you view them in a "blocked messages" folder. You can check your phone's settings to see what happens to blocked texts.

The blocked person does not receive a notification that you have blocked them. They will only know if they try to call or text and realize they are not getting through. Some people may try calling from a different number to reach you, which is why blocking a single number does not always stop harassment.

When blocking a single number is not enough

If someone is calling you repeatedly from different numbers, blocking one number at a time will not stop them. In this case, contact your phone carrier about their spam-blocking or call-filtering service. Most major carriers — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others — offer free or paid tools that can block calls based on patterns rather than individual numbers.

Verizon Call Filter, AT&T Call Protect, and T-Mobile Scam Shield are carrier-specific tools that identify and block spam calls before they reach you. These services use databases of known spam numbers and can block calls that match certain patterns. Some versions are free; others charge a small monthly fee.

If you are being harassed by someone who keeps changing numbers, you may also want to change your own number. This is a bigger step, but it is sometimes necessary. Contact your carrier to ask about number-change options — many carriers allow one free change per account.

Blocking unknown or private numbers

If you want to block all calls from numbers that do not show up in your contacts, you can usually do this in your phone's settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. This will send calls from unknown numbers to voicemail without ringing your phone. On Android, the option is usually in the Phone app settings under "Spam protection" or "Unknown callers."

Be aware that blocking all unknown numbers means you might miss important calls from your doctor's office, your bank, or other organizations that call from numbers not in your contacts. A safer approach is to block unknown numbers only during certain hours, or to use a spam-filtering app that lets you review blocked calls before deleting them.

If you receive calls from a private or blocked number (where the caller ID shows "Private" or "Blocked"), you cannot block that specific number because there is no number to block. Your only option is to use your carrier's spam-blocking service or to not answer calls from private numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them?

No. When you block someone, they will not receive a notification. They may suspect you blocked them if calls go to voicemail every time, but they cannot know for certain. Some people try calling from a different number to test whether they are blocked.

What if I accidentally block someone I want to talk to?

You can unblock them anytime. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocking & Identification, tap "Block Contact," and swipe left on the number to unblock it. On Android, open the Phone app, go to Settings > Blocked numbers, and tap the number to unblock it. Once unblocked, they can call or text you normally again.

Do I need to pay to block a number?

No. Blocking a number using your phone's built-in features is completely free. Some carriers offer paid spam-blocking apps with extra features, but basic blocking through your phone costs nothing.

If I block someone, will they still be able to text me?

Not if you block them in your messaging app as well. Blocking in the Phone app only blocks calls. To block text messages, you must block the number separately in your Messages or SMS app. Some phones let you block in one place and it applies to both calls and texts, but this varies.

What should I do if blocking does not stop the calls?

If someone keeps calling from different numbers, contact your carrier about their spam-blocking service. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov if the calls are harassment or scams. If the harassment is threatening, contact local police.