Block a number directly from a text conversation

The fastest way to stop texts from one number is to open the conversation with that person, tap the phone number or contact name at the top of the thread, then scroll down and tap Block this Caller. On newer iPhones, you may see Block Contact instead. Either option stops that number from texting you — the messages won't arrive, and they won't see a delivery confirmation.

Once you block a number, any existing text threads with that person stay in your Messages app, but you won't receive new messages from them. You can unblock the number later by going back to that contact and tapping Unblock this Caller.

Block a number from your Contacts app

If you have the person saved as a contact, you can block them without opening a text thread. Open your Contacts app, find the person's name, tap Edit in the top right, scroll to the bottom, and tap Block this Caller. This blocks all communication from that contact — texts, calls, and FaceTime.

This method is useful if you want to block someone before they text you, or if you want to block a contact you've saved but haven't texted in a while.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block a number directly from a text conversation by tapping the contact name at the top and selecting Block this Caller.
  • Blocked numbers cannot send you text messages, and their messages will not arrive on your phone.
  • You can also block a contact through your Contacts app by editing the contact and selecting Block this Caller at the bottom.
  • Blocked numbers can still leave voicemails and see that their calls or texts were not delivered, but they won't know they were blocked.

What happens when you block a number

When you block a number on iPhone, that person cannot send you text messages, and any messages they try to send will not arrive on your device. They also cannot call you or reach you through FaceTime. However, they can still leave voicemails — those go to your voicemail inbox, not your text messages.

The blocked person will not receive a notification saying they've been blocked. Instead, their text messages will appear to send normally on their end, but they won't receive a delivery confirmation. After several attempts, they may realize something is wrong, but iPhone does not explicitly tell them they've been blocked.

Find your list of blocked contacts

To see everyone you've blocked, open Settings, tap Messages (or Phone if you want to see all blocked calls and texts together), and scroll down to Blocked Contacts. This list shows every number and contact you've blocked on your iPhone.

From this screen, you can tap Edit and then tap the minus sign next to any contact to unblock them. Once unblocked, that person can text and call you again, and you'll receive their messages normally.

Block unknown senders and filter messages

If you're getting texts from numbers you don't recognize, you can turn on Filter Unknown Senders to separate texts from people not in your contacts into a separate tab. Open Settings, tap Messages, and toggle on Filter Unknown Senders. Messages from unknown numbers will move to a separate Unknown Senders tab in your Messages app, keeping your main inbox cleaner.

This doesn't block the messages — they still arrive — but it keeps them out of your main conversation list. You can still read them if you want, and you can block individual senders from that tab the same way you block from any other conversation.

Unblock a number if you change your mind

To unblock someone, go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts, tap Edit, and tap the minus sign next to the contact you want to unblock. You can also unblock directly from a conversation: open a text thread with that person (if you have one), tap their name at the top, and tap Unblock this Caller.

Once you unblock a number, that person can text you again, and you'll receive their messages in your inbox. They won't know you unblocked them — it happens silently on your end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked number see that I blocked them?

No. A blocked person will not receive a notification that they've been blocked. Their messages will appear to send on their end, but they won't get a delivery confirmation. After repeated failed attempts, they may suspect something is wrong, but iPhone does not tell them explicitly.

Will I still get voicemails from a blocked number?

Yes. Blocking stops text messages and calls, but voicemails from blocked numbers still arrive in your voicemail inbox. If you don't want to hear from someone at all, blocking alone won't stop their voicemails — you'll need to delete them manually or contact your carrier about additional options.

What's the difference between blocking and muting a conversation?

Muting a conversation silences notifications from that person, but you still receive their messages and can read them. Blocking stops the messages from arriving at all. Use muting if you want to keep the conversation but don't want alerts; use blocking if you don't want to hear from them.

Can I block a number that hasn't texted me yet?

Yes. If you have the number saved as a contact, open your Contacts app, find the contact, tap Edit, scroll down, and tap Block this Caller. You can also block a number from your blocked contacts list by going to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts and adding a contact manually on some iOS versions.