Block texts on iPhone, Android, or your carrier

You can block a text sender in three ways: through your phone's built-in messaging app, through your phone's settings, or by contacting your carrier. The fastest method depends on what kind of phone you have and whether you want to block just one person or stop a pattern of unwanted messages.

Most people block texts directly in their messaging app — it takes 10 seconds and works immediately. If a sender keeps finding new numbers or you want carrier-level blocking, your phone company can help. The methods below work whether you're dealing with spam, a person you know, or an automated message.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, open the conversation, tap the sender's name at the top, scroll down, and tap Block This Caller.
  • On Android, open the conversation, tap the three dots, and select Block Number or Block Contact.
  • Blocking through your phone stops the messages from reaching you but does not delete past conversations unless you delete them separately.
  • If one person keeps texting from different numbers, your carrier can block an entire account or add your number to a do-not-contact list.
  • Blocked senders can still leave voicemails on some phones, so check your voicemail settings if that is a concern.

Block a text sender 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 conversation thread — not the message itself, but the header area where their name appears.

Scroll down until you see the Block This Caller option. Tap it, then confirm by tapping Block Contact. The person will no longer be able to text you, and their messages will not appear in your inbox. Any messages already in that conversation stay in your phone until you delete the conversation itself.

If you want to unblock them later, go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts and swipe left on the name, then tap Unblock.

Block a text sender on Android

Open your default messaging app — usually called Messages or SMS. Find the conversation with the sender you want to block and tap and hold on it until a menu appears.

Look for an option that says Block, Block Number, or Block Contact. Tap it and confirm. On some Android phones, you may need to tap the three dots at the top right of the conversation first, then select Block Number from the menu. The exact wording varies by phone manufacturer and which messaging app you use.

To unblock someone on Android, go to your messaging app's settings, find Blocked Numbers or Blocked Contacts, and remove the person from the list. The steps differ slightly between Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands, but the settings menu is always the first place to look.

Block texts through your phone's settings

If you want to block a number before you even receive a message from them, you can add them to your blocked list through your phone's main settings instead of through the messaging app.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and tap Add New. Type in the phone number or select a contact. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Messages (or your messaging app) > Blocked Numbers and add the number manually. This method works the same way as blocking through the messaging app — the person simply cannot reach you by text.

Contact your carrier to block at the network level

If the same person or organization keeps texting you from different numbers, blocking individual numbers on your phone will not stop them. Your carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider — can block an entire account or add your number to a do-not-contact list on their end.

Call your carrier's customer service number (usually on your bill or their website) and explain that you are receiving repeated unwanted texts from the same sender using multiple numbers. They can investigate and block the account at the network level. This takes longer than blocking on your phone, but it stops the sender from reaching you no matter what number they use.

Some carriers also offer spam-blocking services you can turn on in your account settings. Verizon Call Filter, AT&T Call Protect, and T-Mobile Scam Shield are examples. These services automatically filter out known spam and robocalls, though they may not catch every unwanted message.

What happens when you block a text sender

When you block someone, their texts do not reach your phone and do not appear in your inbox. They will not see a notification that they are blocked — their message simply fails to send, usually with a generic error message on their end.

Blocking does not delete old messages from that person. If you want those conversations gone, you have to delete them separately. On iPhone, swipe left on the conversation and tap Delete. On Android, tap and hold the conversation and tap Delete.

Blocked senders can still call you and leave voicemails on most phones, depending on your settings. If you want to block calls from the same person, use the same blocking method — it usually blocks both texts and calls together. To block voicemails specifically, check your voicemail settings or contact your carrier.

Unblock a text sender if you change your mind

You can unblock someone at any time. On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts, find the name, and swipe left, then tap Unblock. On Android, open your messaging app, go to settings, find Blocked Numbers, and remove the contact.

Once unblocked, the person can text you again and their messages will appear normally in your inbox. They will not see any notification that you unblocked them — it is a silent change on your end only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone tell if I blocked them?

No. When a blocked person texts you, they usually see a generic error message or no message at all. They cannot tell whether you blocked them, deleted the conversation, changed your number, or simply did not respond. Some people may suspect it if you stop replying, but there is no technical way for them to know for certain.

Will blocking stop spam texts?

Blocking one number stops texts from that specific number. Spam senders often use new numbers constantly, so blocking individual numbers is not effective against spam campaigns. Use your carrier's spam filter or a third-party app like TrueCaller or RoboKiller for better spam protection. You can also report spam to your carrier.

Do blocked messages get deleted?

No. Blocking stops new messages from reaching you, but it does not delete conversations that already exist. If you want to remove old messages from someone, delete the conversation separately after blocking them. On iPhone, swipe left on the conversation and tap Delete. On Android, tap and hold and select Delete.

Can I block a text from someone I do not have in my contacts?

Yes. You can block any phone number, whether or not you have saved it as a contact. Open the conversation with that number in your messaging app and follow the blocking steps for your phone type. You do not need their name or contact information saved.

What if someone keeps texting me from new numbers?

Call your carrier and report the harassment. They can block an entire account or add your number to a do-not-contact list at the network level. If the messages are threatening or harassing, you can also report them to local police or the Federal Trade Commission.