The fastest way to block a number
Open the Phone app, go to Recents, find the number you want to block, tap the info icon (circle with an i), scroll down, and tap Block this Caller. That number can no longer call or text you, and their calls go straight to voicemail without ringing your phone.
If you do not see the number in Recents, open Contacts, find the person or number, tap the info icon, scroll to the bottom, and select Block this Caller. You can also block a number while a call is happening by tapping the red phone icon to end the call, then tapping the info icon that appears and choosing Block this Caller.
Blocked numbers can still leave voicemails, but you will not see notifications for them. Their calls and texts simply disappear from your phone — you will not know they tried to reach you unless you check your voicemail or blocked messages folder.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a number directly from your recent calls list by tapping the info icon and selecting Block this Caller.
- Blocked callers can still leave voicemails, but their calls will not ring your phone or show up in your message notifications.
- You can view all your blocked numbers in Settings under Phone, and unblock any of them at any time.
- Blocking works across calls and text messages — a blocked number cannot reach you through either method.
Where to find your blocked numbers list
Open Settings, tap Phone, then scroll down and tap Blocked Contacts. This shows every number you have blocked on your iPhone. From this screen, you can tap Edit in the upper left corner, select any blocked number, and tap Delete to unblock it.
If you want to block a number that is not in your contacts yet, you can also add it to your contacts first, then block it from the contact card. This is useful if you have a number from a text or email that you want to block but have not saved as a contact.
Blocking numbers from text messages
Open the Messages app, find the conversation with the number you want to block, swipe left on the conversation thread, tap More (three dots), and select Block this Caller. You can also tap and hold the message, tap More, and choose Block.
Alternatively, open the conversation, tap the contact name or number at the top of the thread, tap the info icon, scroll down, and select Block this Caller. Once blocked, you will not receive any new text messages from that number, and the conversation will remain in your Messages app but marked as blocked.
What happens when you block a number
When you block a number on iPhone, that caller cannot reach you by phone call or text message. Their calls go directly to voicemail without your phone ringing or showing a notification. Text messages from blocked numbers do not appear in your Messages app at all.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that they have been blocked — their call or text simply fails to go through as if your phone is unavailable. They may assume your phone is off, you are out of service, or you are not answering. Blocked voicemails go to a separate folder you can access in the Phone app under Voicemail, but you will not be notified when one arrives.
Unblocking a number
Go to Settings, tap Phone, tap Blocked Contacts, tap Edit, select the number you want to unblock, and tap Delete. The number is immediately unblocked and can call or text you again.
You can also unblock a number from the Phone app by going to Recents, tapping the info icon next to a blocked number, scrolling down, and tapping Unblock this Caller. Once unblocked, that number will appear in your call log and message notifications as normal.
Blocking unknown or spam numbers
If you receive a call from an unknown number, you can block it immediately by tapping the info icon during or after the call and selecting Block this Caller. You do not need to know who the number belongs to — blocking works the same way whether the caller is saved in your contacts or completely unknown.
For repeated spam or robocalls, consider enabling Silence Unknown Callers in Settings under Phone. This sends all calls from numbers not in your contacts, mail, or messages to voicemail automatically, though you can still see them in your recent calls. This is different from blocking individual numbers and affects all unknown callers, not just one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked number tell that I blocked them?
No. When you block a number, the caller does not receive any notification. Their call or text simply fails to go through, and they may assume your phone is off or you are unavailable. There is no way for them to know you blocked them unless you tell them.
Will blocked voicemails still take up storage space?
Yes. Blocked voicemails are stored separately in your Voicemail folder but still use your iCloud storage if you have voicemail transcription turned on. You can delete blocked voicemails individually to free up space, or delete them all at once from the Voicemail tab in the Phone app.
What if I block someone by accident?
You can unblock them immediately by going to Settings, Phone, Blocked Contacts, tapping Edit, selecting the number, and tapping Delete. Once unblocked, they can call or text you normally again, and you will see their calls and messages in your recent activity.
Can I block a number if I do not know who it is?
Yes. You can block any number, whether it is saved in your contacts or completely unknown. Just tap the info icon next to the number in your recent calls or messages and select Block this Caller. Unknown numbers can be blocked the same way as known contacts.