What blocking outgoing calls does

Blocking outgoing calls prevents someone using your phone from making calls to any number, or to specific numbers you choose. This is different from blocking incoming calls — it stops calls from leaving your phone rather than stopping them from arriving.

The most common reason to block outgoing calls is parental control: you want a child to receive calls but not make them, or to make calls only to a short list of trusted contacts. You might also block outgoing calls to prevent accidental or unauthorized use of your phone, or to restrict long-distance charges on a shared device.

How you set this up depends on your phone type and your carrier. Some phones have built-in settings you control yourself. Others require your carrier to enable the feature on their end. A few phones offer both options.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhones use Screen Time to block all outgoing calls or allow calls only to specific contacts you add to a whitelist.
  • Android phones use Digital Wellbeing or Family Link, depending on the device, to restrict outgoing calls by contact or completely.
  • Your phone carrier can also block outgoing calls at the network level, which works even if someone resets your phone settings.
  • Blocking all outgoing calls is more restrictive than creating an allowed list, and the allowed list approach is usually better for parental control.
  • The person using the phone can usually see that restrictions are in place, though they cannot remove them without your password or PIN.

Blocking outgoing calls on iPhone

On iPhone, you use Screen Time to block outgoing calls. Open Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. Turn on Content & Privacy Restrictions if it is not already on, then tap Allowed Apps. You will see a list of built-in iPhone apps. Toggle Phone off — this removes the Phone app from the home screen and prevents calls from being made.

If you want to allow calls to specific people instead of blocking all calls, use a different approach. Go to Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, and tap Allowed Apps again. Keep Phone turned on. Then go to Settings, Screen Time, App Limits, and create a limit for the Phone app with zero minutes allowed. This blocks the app during all hours. The person can still receive calls, but they cannot initiate them.

A third option is to use Focus modes. Go to Settings, Focus, create a new Focus, and set it to allow calls only from your contacts. You can schedule this Focus to turn on automatically at certain times. This is less restrictive than the other methods because the person can still see the Phone app and attempt to call, but calls to numbers outside your allowed list will not go through.

All of these methods require a Screen Time passcode. Set this in Settings, Screen Time, Use Screen Time Passcode. Write down the code and keep it somewhere safe — if you lose it, you cannot change these restrictions without contacting Apple Support.

Blocking outgoing calls on Android

Android phones vary by manufacturer, but most use either Digital Wellbeing or Google Family Link. Check which one your phone has by opening Settings and searching for "Family Link" or "Digital Wellbeing".

If your phone has Family Link, open the app and select the child's device. Tap Controls on Google Play, then tap Calls and SMS. Toggle off the ability to make calls. The child can still receive calls but cannot make them. If you want to allow calls to specific contacts, toggle on the option to allow calls to contacts you approve, then add those contacts to the allowed list.

If your phone has Digital Wellbeing instead, open Settings, Digital Wellbeing, and look for a parental controls or restrictions section. The exact menu varies by phone manufacturer — Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands place this in slightly different locations. Once you find it, you should see an option to restrict outgoing calls. Some phones let you block all calls; others let you create an allowed list. Set a PIN to protect these settings.

If you cannot find either option on your Android phone, your device may not have built-in outgoing call blocking. In that case, contact your carrier to see if they offer network-level blocking.

Blocking outgoing calls through your carrier

Your phone carrier can block outgoing calls at the network level, which means the restriction works even if someone resets your phone or removes the SIM card and puts it in another device. This is the most find method if you need to prevent calls from leaving your account entirely.

Call your carrier's customer service number — it is on your bill or on their website. Tell them you want to block outgoing calls on a specific phone number. They will ask which type of calls to block: all calls, or calls to certain destinations like international numbers or premium services. Some carriers offer a whitelist option where you provide a list of numbers that are allowed and all others are blocked.

Carrier-level blocking usually takes effect within a few hours. The person trying to make a blocked call will hear a message saying the call cannot be completed. This method costs nothing on most carriers, though a few charge a small monthly fee — ask before they enable it.

The downside of carrier blocking is that you cannot easily change it yourself. If you need to add a number to the allowed list or remove the restriction, you have to call the carrier again and wait for them to process the change.

Creating an allowed contacts list instead of blocking all calls

Rather than blocking all outgoing calls, most parents find it more practical to create a list of contacts the person can call. This way, they can reach you, a trusted family member, or emergency services, but they cannot call unknown numbers or numbers you have not approved.

On iPhone, you cannot create an allowed list directly in Screen Time. Instead, use a Focus mode: go to Settings, Focus, create a new Focus, and under Allowed Contacts, add the people who can be called. You can schedule this Focus to turn on automatically.

On Android with Family Link, open the app, select the child's device, tap Controls on Google Play, tap Calls and SMS, and toggle on "Allow calls to approved contacts". Then add the numbers you want to allow. On Android with Digital Wellbeing, look for a similar whitelist option in the parental controls section.

An allowed list is easier to manage over time because you can add new numbers as the person's needs change. It also gives them more independence than a complete block while still protecting them from calling numbers you have not vetted.

What happens when someone tries to make a blocked call

When a call is blocked by your phone's settings, the person sees an error message on the screen — usually something like "This call cannot be completed" or "Calls are restricted." The call does not go through, and the recipient does not receive a missed call notification.

If the call is blocked at the carrier level, the person hears a recorded message saying the call cannot be completed. Again, the recipient does not know someone tried to call.

The person using the phone can usually see that restrictions are in place. On iPhone, they may notice the Phone app is missing or that Screen Time is active. On Android, they may see a notification that Family Link or Digital Wellbeing is managing their device. However, they cannot remove these restrictions without your password or PIN.

If you want to know when someone tries to make a blocked call, you have to check manually. iPhone Screen Time shows usage data, and some Android Family Link features log attempted calls, but neither sends you a notification in real time.

Removing or changing outgoing call blocks

To remove a block you set on your own phone, go back to the same settings where you created it. On iPhone, open Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, and toggle off the restriction or turn the Phone app back on. On Android, open Family Link or Digital Wellbeing and toggle off the call restriction.

If you set a carrier-level block, call your carrier's customer service and ask them to remove it. This usually takes a few hours to take effect.

If you forget your Screen Time passcode on iPhone, you have to reset it through your Apple ID. Go to Settings, Screen Time, Change Screen Time Passcode, then tap Forgot Passcode. You will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. On Android, if you forget your PIN, the process varies by manufacturer — check your phone's support page or contact the manufacturer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone remove the call block if they know my password?

No. On iPhone, they would need your Screen Time passcode, which is separate from your regular password. On Android, they would need your PIN for Family Link or Digital Wellbeing. Keep these codes private and do not share them with the person whose calls you are blocking.

Will blocking outgoing calls also block text messages?

Not automatically. Phone call blocking and text message blocking are separate features. If you want to block both, you have to set restrictions on messaging separately. On iPhone, this is also done through Screen Time. On Android, it depends on whether you are using Family Link or Digital Wellbeing.

Can I block calls to specific numbers instead of blocking all calls?

Yes, but the method depends on your phone. iPhone does not have a built-in way to block outgoing calls to specific numbers — you can only block all calls or allow calls to a specific list. Android Digital Wellbeing also does not offer per-number blocking. Your carrier may offer this feature at the network level, so ask them.

What if the person uses a different phone or borrows someone else's phone?

Blocking outgoing calls only affects the phone where you set the restriction. If they use a different device, the block does not explore. Carrier-level blocking is the only method that follows the phone number itself, so it works no matter which phone is used.

Does blocking outgoing calls prevent emergency calls to 911?

No. Emergency calls to 911 (or your country's equivalent) always go through, even when outgoing calls are blocked. This is a legal requirement on all phones and carriers.