You can block a specific number or filter unknown senders directly in the Messages app

iPhone gives you two ways to stop unwanted texts. The first is to block individual numbers — when you block someone, their texts still arrive on Apple's servers, but they go to a separate folder you don't see, and they can't see your read receipts. The second is to filter messages from people not in your contacts, which moves unknown numbers to a separate tab but doesn't block them entirely. Which one you use depends on whether you know who is texting you.

Blocking is permanent until you unblock. Filtering is gentler — the messages still exist, you just don't see them in your main inbox. If you're getting spam texts from random numbers that change each time, filtering works better than blocking dozens of different numbers. If the same person keeps texting you after you've asked them to stop, blocking is the right move.

Key Takeaways

  • To block a specific number, open the conversation, tap the contact name at the top, scroll down, and tap Block This Caller.
  • Blocked messages still arrive on Apple's servers but go to a hidden folder — the sender won't know they're blocked unless they call and you don't answer.
  • To filter unknown senders, go to Settings > Messages and turn on Filter Unknown Senders, which moves texts from non-contacts to a separate tab.
  • You can unblock a number anytime by going to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and swiping left on the name.
  • Blocking someone on iMessage does not block their regular SMS texts — you may need to block both if they use both services.

How to block a specific number in Messages

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the number you want to block. Tap the contact name or number at the very top of the screen — not the message itself, but the header area. A details panel will slide up from the bottom showing the contact information.

Scroll down in that panel until you see the option that says "Block This Caller." Tap it. A confirmation will appear asking if you're sure — tap Block Contact to confirm. That's it. The conversation stays in your Messages app, but from now on, any texts from that number will go to a hidden folder you won't see.

If you're blocking someone who uses iMessage (the blue message bubbles), blocking them in Messages also blocks their iMessage texts. If they also text you as a regular SMS (green bubbles), you may need to block the number separately through the Phone app — open Phone, go to Recents, find the number, tap the info icon, and select Block This Caller.

What happens when you block someone

When you block a number, their texts still reach Apple's servers and still technically arrive on your phone, but the Messages app hides them in a folder called "Blocked" that you have to deliberately open to see. You won't get a notification when they text. The sender won't receive a message saying they're blocked — their text will straightforward never show a delivery confirmation or read receipt.

The only way they'll know for certain is if they call you and the call goes straight to voicemail, or if they notice over time that you never respond. Blocking is not the same as deleting the conversation — the old messages stay in the Blocked folder if you want to refer back to them later.

Blocking does not prevent someone from calling you, emailing you, or contacting you through other apps like Instagram or WhatsApp. It only affects SMS and iMessage. If someone is harassing you across multiple channels, you may need to block them in each app separately.

How to filter texts from unknown numbers instead

If you're getting spam texts from constantly changing numbers, blocking each one individually is exhausting. Instead, use the Filter Unknown Senders feature. Go to Settings on your home screen, then tap Messages. Scroll down and toggle on "Filter Unknown Senders." This moves any text from someone not in your contacts into a separate tab labeled "Unknown Senders."

Your main Messages inbox will now only show conversations with people you know. The unknown texts are still there — you can tap the Unknown Senders tab anytime to read them — but you won't be bothered by notifications. This is especially useful if you're getting repeated spam from different numbers, because you don't have to block each one individually.

The downside is that legitimate messages from people trying to reach you for the first time will also land in Unknown Senders. If you're expecting a text from a doctor's office, a delivery service, or someone new, check that tab occasionally so you don't miss it.

How to unblock a number

If you change your mind about blocking someone, you can unblock them anytime. Go to Settings, tap Phone, then scroll down and tap Blocked Contacts. You'll see a list of every number you've blocked. Find the one you want to unblock, swipe left on it, and tap Unblock.

Once you unblock a number, they can text you again and you'll see their messages in your main inbox. Their old blocked messages will still be hidden in the Blocked folder — unblocking doesn't restore those conversations to your main view. If you want to see the old messages, you have to go back into the Blocked folder to find them.

Blocking versus reporting spam

Blocking stops you from seeing messages from one number. Reporting spam tells Apple and your carrier that a number is sending unwanted texts, which helps them identify patterns and block the number for other users too. You can do both at the same time.

To report a text as spam, open the conversation, tap the contact name at the top, scroll down, and tap Report Junk. This sends the message content and the sender's number to Apple and your carrier. Then you can block the number to stop seeing their texts. Reporting is especially useful if you're getting repeated spam from the same number — it adds weight to Apple's spam detection system.

If you're getting texts that are clearly phishing attempts (asking you to click a link, confirm account information, or verify a password), reporting them is more important than blocking, because it helps protect other people from the same scam.

When blocking isn't enough

If someone is texting you repeatedly after you've blocked them, or if the texts are threatening or harassing, blocking through your phone isn't a legal solution — it's just a convenience feature. Contact your carrier's customer service line and ask about their harassment or spam blocking tools. Most carriers have additional options for serious cases.

If the messages are threatening, include personal information you didn't share, or are part of a pattern of harassment, take screenshots of the texts before you block the number, and consider reporting them to local police. Depending on what the messages say, they may constitute harassment, stalking, or fraud, which are crimes. Your carrier and Apple can also provide records to law enforcement if needed.

For phishing texts that ask you to click a link or confirm account details, do not click the link or respond. Block the number, report it as spam, and delete the message. If you're worried you may have already clicked a malicious link, change your passwords for the accounts mentioned in the text, starting with your email account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked them?

Not when ready. Their texts will send normally from their perspective, but they won't get a delivery confirmation or see that you've read the message. If they call you and it goes to voicemail, or if they notice you never respond over time, they may figure it out. But there's no notification that says "you've been blocked."

Can I block someone on iMessage but not SMS?

No. When you block a contact in Messages, it blocks both iMessage and SMS from that number. If you only want to block one service, you'd have to block the number in the Phone app (which blocks calls and SMS) and then unblock it there, but that's not a clean solution. The easiest approach is to block in Messages, which covers both.

What if I block someone and they create a new number to text me?

Each new number is separate, so you'd have to block each one individually. If this is happening repeatedly, use Filter Unknown Senders so you don't see texts from numbers not in your contacts. You can also contact your carrier about a harassment complaint — they have tools to block patterns of behavior, not just individual numbers.

Do blocked messages take up storage space on my phone?

Blocked messages are stored on Apple's servers and in a hidden folder on your phone, so they do use a small amount of space. If you want to free up space, you can delete the entire Blocked folder by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Messages and clearing it out, but you won't be able to recover those messages later.

Can I block a number from a text I received, or do I have to open the conversation?

You have to open the conversation. Tap the contact name at the top of the thread, scroll down, and tap Block This Caller. You can't block directly from the notification or from a preview — you need to be inside the conversation thread.