You can block texts on iPhone through the Messages app or by using the built-in blocking feature in Settings

The fastest way to stop texts from a specific number is to open the conversation in Messages, tap the sender's name or number at the top, and select Block this Caller. The person's future texts will go to a separate folder you can ignore, and they won't know they're blocked. If you want to block someone before they text you, or if you prefer to manage all your blocks in one place, you can do that through Settings instead.

Blocked texts don't disappear from your phone — they move to a hidden folder in Messages called Blocked. You can unblock someone at any time, and they'll be able to text you normally again. There's no limit to how many numbers you can block.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking through Messages is the quickest method: open the conversation, tap the sender's name, and choose Block this Caller.
  • Blocked texts move to a separate Blocked folder in Messages that you can view or delete anytime.
  • You can block numbers through Settings under Phone or Messages if you want to block someone before they contact you.
  • Blocked callers and texters cannot reach you through calls, FaceTime, or text, and they won't receive a notification that they're blocked.
  • You can unblock anyone at any time by going to Settings and removing them from your block list.

Blocking a text from the Messages app

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 — not the message itself, but the header area where their contact information appears. A menu will pop up showing options including Block this Caller. Tap that option and confirm when prompted.

Once blocked, that person's texts will no longer show up in your main Messages list. Their messages will be sorted into the Blocked folder automatically. You won't get notifications when they text, and your read receipts won't be sent to them if you have that feature turned on.

Blocking a number through Settings

If you want to block a number before someone texts you, or if you prefer to manage blocks in one central location, go to Settings and scroll down to find either Phone or Messages depending on what you want to block. Tap Blocked Contacts (the exact name varies slightly by iOS version, but it's in the same section). Tap Add New and search for the contact or type in the phone number manually.

This method works the same way as blocking through Messages — the person can't reach you by text, call, or FaceTime. The difference is that you're setting it up in advance rather than reacting to an incoming message.

Finding and managing your blocked list

To see everyone you've blocked, go to Settings, then Phone or Messages, then Blocked Contacts. You'll see a complete list of every number and contact you've blocked. To unblock someone, swipe left on their name and tap Unblock, or tap Edit in the top-left corner and then tap the minus sign next to their name.

Your blocked texts don't disappear from your phone — they move to a folder called Blocked in the Messages app. You can view this folder by opening Messages, scrolling to the top, and tapping Filters (on newer iPhones) or by looking for a Blocked section. You can read, delete, or unblock from there if you change your mind.

What happens when you block someone

When you block a number on iPhone, that person cannot text you, call you, or reach you through FaceTime. Their messages won't trigger notifications, and they won't see a "delivered" or "read" status on their end. However, they won't receive an explicit notification saying they've been blocked — the experience on their side is similar to sending a text to someone who has their phone off.

Blocking is one-way: you won't see their messages, but they can still see old conversations you had before blocking them. If they have your number saved in their contacts, your name will still appear when they try to text you — they just won't know the message didn't go through until they notice you're not responding.

Blocking texts from unknown or spam numbers

If you're getting texts from numbers you don't recognize, you can block them the same way as any other contact. However, iPhone also has a Filter Unknown Senders option that automatically sorts texts from people not in your contacts into a separate tab. Go to Settings, then Messages, and toggle on Filter Unknown Senders. This doesn't block the texts — it just hides them from your main inbox so you only see messages from people you know.

For persistent spam or scam texts, blocking individual numbers works, but you might also consider reporting the message. In Messages, tap and hold the conversation, then tap Report Junk. This sends information to Apple and your carrier to help them identify spam patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them on iPhone?

No official notification is sent, but someone might figure it out if they notice their texts never show a "delivered" status and you stop responding. There's no way for them to definitively confirm they're blocked through the iPhone interface alone.

What if I block someone by accident?

Go to Settings, then Phone or Messages, then Blocked Contacts. Find the person's name, swipe left, and tap Unblock. They'll be able to text and call you normally again immediately.

Do blocked texts take up storage space on my phone?

Blocked messages are stored in the Blocked folder in Messages, so they do use a small amount of storage. You can delete them by opening the Blocked folder, swiping left on individual messages, and tapping Delete, or by deleting the entire conversation.

Can I block texts but still receive calls from the same person?

No. Blocking on iPhone blocks calls, texts, and FaceTime all at once. If you want to receive calls but not texts from someone, you'll need to use a different approach, like muting notifications for that contact instead of blocking them.

Will blocking someone remove our old text conversation?

No. Your old messages with that person stay in your Messages app. Blocking only stops new messages from coming through and hides future texts in the Blocked folder.