Block a number directly from a call or text

The fastest way to block someone is to do it the moment they call or text you. When a call comes in, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to reveal the call options, then tap the red circle with a line through it (the decline button). After you decline, a menu appears — tap Block this Caller. The number is blocked when ready.

For text messages, open the conversation thread with the person you want to block. Tap the contact name or number at the top of the screen, then scroll down and tap Block this Caller. You can also press and hold the message itself, tap More (the three dots), then tap the prohibition icon and confirm.

Once you block a number, that person cannot call or text you. Their calls go straight to voicemail, and their texts do not appear in your Messages app — they land in a separate folder you can check if you need to.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block a number in seconds by declining a call and selecting Block this Caller from the menu that appears.
  • Blocked callers reach your voicemail, and their text messages go to a hidden folder instead of your main inbox.
  • The Blocked Contacts list in Settings shows everyone you have blocked and lets you unblock them at any time.
  • You can block numbers that have never called you by adding them to your Contacts first, then blocking them from the contact card.
  • Blocking someone on iPhone does not delete past messages or calls — those remain in your conversation history until you delete them manually.

Manage your blocked list in Settings

To see everyone you have blocked, open Settings, tap Phone, then scroll down and tap Blocked Contacts. This list shows every number you have blocked. If you want to unblock someone, swipe left on their name and tap Unblock. You can also tap Edit in the top left, select multiple contacts, and tap Delete to unblock them all at once.

The same Blocked Contacts list applies to both calls and texts — blocking a number blocks both at the same time. You cannot block someone from calls only and allow their texts, or vice versa.

Block a number before they ever contact you

If you know a number you want to block but they have not called or texted you yet, add them to your Contacts first. Open the Phone app, tap Keypad, enter the number, then tap the information icon (the small circle with an i). Tap Create New Contact, fill in a name, and tap Done.

Now open that contact, tap Edit in the top right, scroll to the bottom, and tap Block this Caller. Confirm your choice. The number is blocked even though they have never reached out to you.

What happens when you block someone

When you block a number on iPhone, the person cannot reach you through calls or text messages. Their calls go directly to your voicemail, but they will not see a busy signal or a message saying they are blocked — the call straightforward rings once or twice and then goes to voicemail. To them, it may feel like your phone is off or you are not answering.

Text messages from blocked numbers appear in a separate folder. Open the Messages app, tap Edit in the top left, and look for a Blocked folder. You can read old messages from that person if you need to, but new texts land there automatically and do not trigger notifications.

Blocking does not erase your conversation history. If you had texted or called this person before blocking them, those messages and call logs stay in your phone until you delete them manually. Blocking only stops future contact.

Block unknown callers and spam

If you receive many calls from numbers you do not recognize, you can silence them automatically. Open Settings, tap Phone, then toggle on Silence Unknown Callers. Any call from a number not in your Contacts, Recents, or Voicemail goes straight to voicemail without ringing your phone.

This setting does not block the calls — they still reach your voicemail, and you can listen to them later. It straightforward prevents your phone from ringing. If you want to block specific spam numbers instead, you can block them one at a time using the methods above, or use the Report Junk feature in Messages to report spam texts to Apple.

Unblock a number if you change your mind

To unblock someone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts, find the person you want to unblock, swipe left, and tap Unblock. They can now call and text you again, and their messages will appear in your main inbox instead of the blocked folder.

Unblocking does not restore deleted messages or calls. If you deleted the conversation before unblocking, those messages are gone. But any new messages from that person will come through normally once you unblock them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them?

Not directly. Their calls go to voicemail and their texts may not deliver, but iPhone does not send a notification saying they are blocked. They might suspect it if calls always go to voicemail and texts never get a response, but they cannot see a "blocked" message.

What if I block someone but still want to see their messages?

Open the Messages app, tap Edit, and tap the Blocked folder to read old messages from that person. You can read them anytime, but new messages will continue to land there instead of your main inbox. To receive their messages in your inbox again, you must unblock them.

Can I block a number that keeps changing?

If someone is calling from many different numbers, blocking individual numbers becomes tedious. Use Silence Unknown Callers instead — it sends all calls from numbers not in your Contacts to voicemail automatically. This stops most spam and harassment without blocking specific numbers.

Does blocking someone on iPhone block them on iMessage too?

Yes. Blocking a number blocks both regular SMS text messages and iMessages from that person. They cannot reach you through either service once blocked.

If I delete a blocked contact, are they still blocked?

No. Deleting a contact from your phone unblocks them automatically. If you want to keep them blocked, do not delete the contact — just leave them in your Blocked Contacts list.