The fastest way depends on what kind of texts you're getting

If you're getting spam texts, your phone has built-in blocking tools that work without downloading anything. If you're getting texts from a person you know, you can block them directly from the conversation. If the texts are threatening or harassing, you may want to save them as evidence before blocking, because deleting them makes it harder to report to police or your carrier later.

The steps are different on iPhone and Android, and they take less than a minute either way. Most carriers also offer filtering on their end, which catches spam before it reaches your phone at all.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open the message thread, tap the contact name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller"; on Android, open the message, tap the three dots, and select "Block".
  • Blocking someone stops their texts from reaching your phone and removes their past messages from your inbox, though you can usually unblock them later if you change your mind.
  • Your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) offers spam filtering that works before texts arrive, and you can turn it on in your account settings or by calling customer service.
  • If texts are threatening or harassing, screenshot or photograph them before blocking, because the block removes the message thread from your phone.
  • Third-party apps like TrueCaller or RoboKiller can filter spam texts, but they require permission to read your messages and store data on their servers.

Blocking someone you know on iPhone

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap their name or number at the very top of the screen — you'll see it in a gray bar above the message thread. Scroll down until you see a red button that says "Block this Caller" and tap it. A confirmation box will appear asking if you're sure; tap "Block Contact" to confirm.

Once you block someone on iPhone, their texts won't come through to your phone anymore. The message thread stays in your Messages app but appears grayed out. If you change your mind later, you can unblock them by going to Settings > Messages > Filtered Unknown Senders, finding their name, and tapping "Unblock".

Blocking someone you know on Android

Open the Messages app (the default one that came with your phone, or whichever app you use to read texts). Find the conversation with the person you want to block and tap and hold on their name or number until a menu appears. Tap "Block" or "Block number" — the exact wording depends on your phone model and which messaging app you use.

Some Android phones show a three-dot menu icon at the top right of the message thread instead. Tap that, then look for "Block" or "Block contact" in the menu. Once blocked, their texts won't reach your phone, and the conversation disappears from your main inbox. To unblock them later, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Blocked Numbers and tap the person's name, then "Unblock".

Using your carrier's spam filter

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and other carriers all offer spam filtering that stops unwanted texts before they reach your phone. This is different from blocking an individual — it catches patterns of spam across thousands of customers. The filter is usually free or costs a dollar or two per month.

To turn it on, log into your carrier's website or app and look for "Spam Protection," "Message Filtering," or "Scam Block" in your account settings. You can also call your carrier's customer service number (it's on your bill) and ask them to enable spam filtering on your account. Once it's on, most spam texts are filtered automatically, though some still get through.

Saving evidence before you block

If someone is harassing or threatening you, take a screenshot or photo of the messages before you block them. On iPhone, open the message thread and press the side button and volume up button at the same time, then tap "Save to Photos." On Android, press the power button and volume down button at the same time. The screenshot saves to your Photos or Gallery app.

Keep these screenshots in a folder on your phone or computer. If the harassment continues from a different number, or if you decide to report it to police, you'll have a record of what was sent and when. Many police departments now accept digital screenshots as evidence, though some still prefer printed copies.

Third-party apps for spam filtering

Apps like TrueCaller, RoboKiller, and Nomorobo filter spam texts and calls by comparing incoming numbers against databases of known spam sources. They work on both iPhone and Android and are often free, though some charge a monthly fee for advanced features.

The trade-off is that these apps need permission to read your incoming messages and calls, and they store some of that data on their company's servers to improve their filtering. Before you read one, read the privacy policy to understand what data they collect and how long they keep it. If you're uncomfortable with that level of access, your carrier's built-in filter is usually enough for most spam.

What happens after you block someone

On both iPhone and Android, blocking stops new messages from reaching you, but it doesn't notify the person that you've blocked them. They can still call you (the call will go to voicemail), and they might not realize they're blocked unless they try to text you repeatedly and notice you never respond.

The blocked person can still see old text conversations on their own phone — blocking only affects your phone. If you want to remove all record of the conversation from your device, you can delete the message thread after blocking, though this also deletes any screenshots you haven't saved elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I've blocked them?

Not directly. They won't get a notification saying "you've been blocked." But if they text you repeatedly and never get a response, or if they call and it goes straight to voicemail every time, they may figure it out. Some people try calling to test whether they're blocked.

What if I block someone and then change my mind?

You can unblock them anytime. On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Filtered Unknown Senders, find their name, and tap "Unblock." On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > Blocked Numbers and tap their name, then "Unblock." Once unblocked, their texts will come through again, but old messages from before the block won't reappear.

Do I need to read an app to block texts?

No. Your phone's built-in blocking feature works without any app. Your carrier also offers spam filtering through your account settings or a phone call. Third-party apps are optional and useful only if the built-in tools aren't catching enough spam for you.

If I block someone, can they still leave me voicemails?

Yes. Blocking only affects text messages. Calls from a blocked number go to voicemail, and they can leave a message, but you won't be notified that they called. You can listen to the voicemail later if you want, or delete it without listening.

What should I do if I'm getting threatening texts?

Screenshot or photograph the messages before you block, so you have a record. Then block the number. If the threats continue from different numbers, or if you feel unsafe, contact your local police department and show them the screenshots. You can also report the number to your carrier's abuse team.