Block outgoing calls by using your phone's built-in settings or your carrier's tools

Most phones let you restrict outgoing calls directly through settings without needing an app or paying extra. The method depends on whether you want to block calls from a specific contact, block entire categories of numbers (like international calls), or prevent someone from making any calls at all. Your phone's operating system handles the first two; your carrier handles the third.

If you're trying to prevent a child or dependent from calling certain numbers or types of numbers, your phone's parental controls or call-blocking settings are the fastest route. If you're trying to stop a specific person from calling out, you'll need to either restrict their access to the phone itself or use your carrier's service to block outgoing calls entirely from that line.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users can block individual contacts from calling out by adding them to the blocked list, though this also blocks incoming calls from them.
  • Android phones let you block outgoing calls to specific numbers through the Phone app's call-blocking settings or through your carrier's app.
  • To block all outgoing calls (or all calls to a category like international numbers), you need to contact your carrier or use their online account portal.
  • Parental control apps and built-in family features on both iOS and Android can restrict outgoing calls by type or contact without blocking the phone entirely.
  • Some carriers charge a monthly fee for call-blocking services; others include it free with your plan.

Block outgoing calls to a specific contact on iPhone

On iPhone, the Blocked Contacts feature prevents a specific person from calling you and stops you from calling them. Open the Phone app, find the contact you want to block, tap the info button (the circle with an "i"), scroll down, and tap Block this Caller. The contact will be moved to your blocked list.

This method blocks both directions — they can't reach you, and you can't call them. If you only want to prevent outgoing calls to that number while still receiving their calls, you'll need a different approach: use Screen Time (Apple's parental control feature) to restrict calls, or use a third-party call-blocking app from the App Store that offers one-way blocking.

Block outgoing calls to a specific contact on Android

Android's built-in call-blocking varies by phone manufacturer and carrier. On most Android phones, open the Phone app, find the contact, tap the three dots or menu button, and select Block number or Add to block list. Like iPhone, this typically blocks both incoming and outgoing calls.

If your Android phone is made by Samsung, Google Pixel, or another major manufacturer, check your carrier's app as well — many carriers offer their own call-blocking tool that may give you more control over what gets blocked. For example, T-Mobile's Scam Shield and Verizon's Call Filter both let you block specific numbers and categories of calls. Open your carrier's app, look for call-blocking or spam settings, and follow the prompts to add numbers to your block list.

Block entire categories of outgoing calls through your carrier

If you want to block all international calls, all premium-rate numbers, or all outgoing calls entirely, you need to contact your carrier directly or use their online account portal. This is the only way to prevent someone from making any call at all from your phone line.

Log into your carrier's website or app (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) and look for a section called Call Blocking, Call Control, or Parental Controls. You'll usually find options to block international calls, directory information calls, or 900-number calls. If you want to block all outgoing calls, you may need to call your carrier's customer service — some carriers require a phone call to set up this level of restriction for security reasons.

Use parental controls to restrict outgoing calls on iOS

Apple's Screen Time feature lets you restrict phone calls by contact or by type without blocking the entire phone. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then App Limits or Allowed Apps. You can set which apps and contacts are available during certain times of day.

For more granular control, go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps and toggle off the Phone app entirely, or use the Communication Limits setting to restrict who can call or message the phone during specific hours. This approach works well if you want to prevent calls during school or bedtime but allow them at other times.

Use parental controls to restrict outgoing calls on Android

Android's parental control options depend on your phone manufacturer. Google Pixel phones include Family Link, which lets you set call and messaging restrictions for a child's device. Open Family Link, select the child's device, tap Controls on Google Play, and look for call and messaging settings.

Samsung phones include Kids Home or Samsung Kids, which restricts access to certain apps and contacts. If your Android phone doesn't have built-in parental controls, read Google Family Link from the Play Store — it works on most Android devices and gives you control over which contacts can call or message the phone.

What happens when an outgoing call is blocked

When you block an outgoing call to a specific contact, the call straightforward fails to connect. The person on the other end won't receive a notification that you tried to call them — the call just doesn't go through. If you're blocking all outgoing calls or all calls to a category (like international numbers), you'll usually hear a message saying the call cannot be completed.

If you're using parental controls to restrict calls during certain hours, the phone will show a message that calls are not allowed right now. The blocked contact won't know you tried to call unless you tell them, and there's no record of the attempt on their end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block outgoing calls without blocking incoming calls from the same person?

Not with your phone's built-in block list — those block both directions. You'll need a third-party call-blocking app from your phone's app store that offers one-way blocking, or you can use parental controls to restrict outgoing calls by time of day or contact type instead of blocking the contact entirely.

Will the person know I blocked their outgoing calls?

No. If they try to call you, they'll reach you normally. If you try to call them and the call is blocked, it will fail on your end, but they won't receive any notification that you attempted to call.

Can my carrier charge me to block outgoing calls?

Some carriers include call-blocking tools free with your plan, while others charge a monthly fee (usually $3 to $5) for advanced features like blocking entire categories of calls. Check your carrier's website or call their customer service to see what's included in your plan.

What if I block all outgoing calls and then need to make an emergency call?

Emergency calls to 911 always go through, even if all outgoing calls are blocked. Your carrier's system is designed to allow emergency calls regardless of restrictions.

Can I block outgoing calls on a specific app, like social media?

Not directly through call-blocking settings. You'd need to use parental controls or app-blocking features to prevent access to the app itself, or use your phone's Do Not Disturb or Focus modes to silence notifications from that app during certain times.