How to block incoming calls on Android and iPhone

Both Android and iPhone let you block calls directly in the Phone app without downloading anything extra. The steps are slightly different depending on which phone you have, but both methods work the same way: you find the number you want to block, tap a menu, and select block.

On iPhone, open the Phone app, go to Recents, find the number you want to block, tap the info icon (a circle with an "i"), scroll down, and tap Block this Caller. On Android, open the Phone app, find the number in your call history, press and hold it, and tap Block number. Some Android phones label this differently — look for "Block" or "Block caller" in the menu that appears.

Once you block a number, calls from that number go straight to voicemail and you won't see a notification. The person calling won't hear a message saying they're blocked — the call just rings on their end and then goes to your voicemail, so they may not realize what happened.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone's built-in Phone app can block numbers without any extra software — find the number in your call history and tap the block option.
  • Blocked calls go to voicemail silently, so you won't be interrupted and the caller hears a normal ringing sound before voicemail picks up.
  • You can also block numbers from your contacts list or block unknown callers entirely, depending on your phone type.
  • If you get spam calls from numbers that keep changing, your phone's spam filter or a third-party app may work better than blocking individual numbers.

Block a number from your contacts

If the number is already saved in your contacts, you can block it from there instead of hunting through your call history. This is useful when you want to block someone you know — a contact you no longer want to hear from.

On iPhone, open Contacts, find the person, tap Edit, scroll to the bottom, and tap Block this Caller. On Android, open Contacts, find the person, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, and select Block number. The process is the same as blocking from call history — the number goes silent and calls route to voicemail.

Block unknown or private callers

If you're getting calls from numbers that don't show up (labeled "Unknown" or "Private"), you can block all calls from hidden numbers at once instead of blocking each one individually. This stops most robocalls and spam that hide their real number.

On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Phone, scroll down to Silence Unknown Callers, and turn it on. Unknown callers will still reach your voicemail, but their calls won't ring through or show up in your recent calls. On Android, the option varies by phone maker. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, look for Call Blocking or Spam Protection, and turn on Block Unknown Callers or similar. Some Android phones have this under Settings > Apps > Phone instead.

Be aware that some legitimate calls come from hidden numbers — your bank, your doctor's office, or a business you called back. If you turn on this setting, you might miss those calls, though they can still leave voicemail.

Unblock a number if you change your mind

Blocking isn't permanent. If you blocked someone by mistake or want to hear from them again, you can unblock them in the same place you blocked them.

On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Phone, scroll down to Blocked Contacts, and you'll see a list of every number you've blocked. Tap Edit, then tap the minus sign next to the number you want to unblock, and tap Unblock. On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, find Blocked Numbers or Call Blocking, and look for your blocked list. Tap the number and select Unblock.

Once you unblock a number, calls from that person will ring through normally again and show up in your recent calls.

When blocking one number at a time isn't enough

If you're getting spam calls from many different numbers — especially numbers that change each time — blocking individual numbers won't solve the problem. Your phone's built-in spam filter is usually a better choice for this situation.

iPhone has a built-in filter called Filter Unknown Senders. Go to Settings, tap Phone, and turn on Filter Unknown Senders. This sends calls from numbers not in your contacts to voicemail automatically. Android phones usually have a spam filter in the Phone app itself. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, and look for Spam Protection or Call Screening. Turn it on, and the phone will flag likely spam calls before they ring.

These filters learn over time and get better at catching spam. They're more effective than blocking individual numbers when you're dealing with robocalls or spoofed numbers that change constantly.

Third-party call blocking apps

If your phone's built-in tools aren't stopping the calls you want to stop, you can download a call blocking app. Apps like Nomorobo, RoboKiller, and Truecaller maintain databases of known spam and scam numbers and block them before they reach you. Some are free, and some charge a monthly fee for more features.

Download these apps from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Once installed, they ask for permission to access your phone calls — this is normal and necessary for them to work. Open the app, turn on blocking, and add any numbers you want blocked manually. Most apps also let you report spam numbers you receive, which helps their database grow.

Keep in mind that third-party apps can drain your battery slightly and may slow down your phone a little. If your phone's built-in spam filter is working well enough, you may not need an extra app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person I blocked know I blocked them?

No. When they call, they hear a normal ringing sound and then your voicemail picks up. There's no message telling them they've been blocked. They might figure it out if they never hear back from you, but the phone itself won't tell them.

Can I block text messages from the same number?

On iPhone, blocking a number blocks both calls and texts from that person. On Android, it depends on your phone — some block both, and some only block calls. Check your Messages app settings or try blocking the number and sending a test text to see if it goes through.

What's the difference between blocking and silencing?

Blocking stops calls and texts from reaching you at all — they go to voicemail silently. Silencing (on iPhone, called Do Not Disturb) mutes the sound but still shows you the notification. Blocking is permanent until you unblock; silencing is temporary.

If I block someone, can they still leave me a voicemail?

Yes. Blocked calls still reach your voicemail system — they just don't ring your phone or show a notification. The person calling hears your voicemail greeting and can leave a message, which you can listen to later if you want.

Why do I keep getting calls from numbers I've already blocked?

Spammers often use different numbers each time they call, so blocking one number doesn't stop the next call from a different number. If this is happening, turn on your phone's spam filter or download a call blocking app instead of blocking numbers one at a time.