Block texts on iPhone, Android, and most carriers

You can block unwanted text messages directly on your phone without waiting for your carrier to act. On iPhone, open the conversation, tap the contact or number at the top, scroll down, and tap Block this Caller. On Android, open the message thread, tap the three dots (menu), and select Block or Block number — the exact wording depends on your phone maker and Android version.

When you block a number, that sender's texts stop arriving in your inbox. The blocked messages go nowhere — they do not pile up in a folder you have to manage. The person texting you will not receive a notification that you blocked them, though they may notice their messages are not being read.

Blocking works for individual numbers, but if you are getting spam from many different numbers, blocking one at a time becomes tedious. That is when carrier-level blocking and filtering tools become useful.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone's built-in block feature stops texts from a specific number from reaching your inbox, and the sender does not know they are blocked.
  • Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer spam-filtering services that catch many unwanted texts before they arrive, though some require a monthly fee.
  • Third-party apps like TrueCaller and RoboKiller can filter texts and calls using community reports and AI, but they require permission to read your messages.
  • Do not reply to spam texts or click links in them, as this confirms your number is active and leads to more messages.
  • If you are being harassed or threatened, save the messages and report them to your carrier and local police.

Use your carrier's spam-filtering service

Your mobile carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider — runs filtering systems that catch spam texts before they reach you. These services vary by carrier and by plan.

Verizon offers Call Filter, which filters spam texts and calls. The basic version is free and blocks known spam. The paid version ($3.99 per month) adds custom blocking and caller ID for unknown numbers. To turn it on, go to your Verizon bill online, find Call Filter in your account settings, and toggle it on.

AT&T offers Call Protect, free with most plans. It filters spam automatically. The paid version ($4.99 per month) adds custom blocking and more detailed reports. Turn it on in the AT&T mobile app under Manage > Call Protect.

T-Mobile includes Scam Shield free with most plans. It blocks known spam texts and calls. The premium version ($3.99 per month) adds custom blocking and spam detection for incoming calls. Activate it in the T-Mobile app under Account > Scam Shield.

If you use a smaller carrier or prepaid service, check your carrier's website or call customer service to ask what spam filtering is included with your plan.

Set up keyword and sender filtering on your phone

Both iPhone and Android let you filter texts by keywords or sender type, which catches spam you have not blocked yet.

On iPhone, open Settings > Messages and turn on Filter Unknown Senders. This moves texts from people not in your contacts to a separate tab, so they do not clutter your main inbox. You can still read them if you want, but they are out of sight.

On Android, the steps vary by phone maker. On Samsung phones, open Messages > tap the three dots (menu) > Settings > Spam protection, and turn on Filter spam messages. On Google Pixel phones, open Messages > tap your profile icon > Settings > Spam and abuse, and turn on Enable spam protection.

These filters do not delete messages — they just hide them from your main view. Check the filtered folder occasionally in case a real message got caught by mistake.

Use a third-party filtering app

Apps like TrueCaller, RoboKiller, and Nomorobo filter texts and calls using databases of known spam numbers and AI that learns from user reports. They work on both iPhone and Android.

TrueCaller is free and shows you who is calling or texting even if they are not in your contacts. It blocks spam automatically and lets you create custom block lists. The paid version ($4.99 per month) adds more detailed reports and priority support.

RoboKiller ($3.99 per month) uses AI to detect spam patterns and blocks calls and texts before they reach you. It also lets you record custom voicemail greetings that play to spam callers.

Nomorobo is free and blocks known robocalls and spam texts. It works best if you also sign up for their service on your landline, but the mobile app alone still catches many spam messages.

All of these apps require permission to read your incoming messages so they can filter them. Read the privacy policy before installing to understand how the app handles your data.

What to do if blocking is not enough

If you are receiving dozens of spam texts per day even with filtering turned on, your number may have been sold to multiple spam networks. In this case, blocking and filtering slow the problem but do not stop it entirely.

Do not reply to spam texts, click links in them, or call numbers in them. Replying confirms your number is active and monitored by a human, which leads to more spam. The same applies to texts asking you to reply STOP — many scammers use this to confirm active numbers.

If the texts are harassing, threatening, or asking for money or personal information, save several examples (take screenshots with the date and time visible) and report them to your carrier's fraud department. You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

If you are being threatened or harassed repeatedly, report the messages to your local police department. They can sometimes trace the sender and take action.

When to change your phone number

If spam texts continue for weeks despite blocking, filtering, and carrier reports, changing your number may be the fastest solution. This is a last resort because it disrupts your contacts, but it works.

Contact your carrier and ask to change your number. Most carriers allow one free number change per account per year. The process takes a few days. After the change, update your contacts with your new number and ask them to delete the old one from their phones.

Before you change your number, go through your accounts — banking, email, social media, shopping — and update your phone number there. This prevents your new number from being added to spam lists immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I block texts from a number that keeps changing?

No, because each new number is technically a different sender. Use your carrier's spam filter or a third-party app instead — they recognize patterns in spam messages even when the number changes. If the harassment is severe, report it to your carrier and police.

Will the person know I blocked them?

They will not receive a notification that you blocked them. However, if they text you repeatedly and never get a response, they may suspect it. Some people test by calling instead, since blocking a number usually blocks both texts and calls.

Do I have to pay for spam filtering?

No. Your carrier includes basic spam filtering free with most plans, and your phone's built-in filtering is free. Paid options from carriers and third-party apps add more features, but you can manage most spam without paying anything.

What if a real message gets caught by my spam filter?

Check your spam or filtered folder regularly. If you find a message from someone you know, mark it as not spam so future messages from them go to your main inbox. You can also add important contacts to your phone's address book so their messages bypass filters.

Can I block texts from a business or company?

Yes, you can block any number the same way you block a personal number. If the business is sending you unwanted marketing texts, you can also reply STOP to ask them to remove you from their list — but only do this for legitimate businesses, not scammers.