How to Block Incoming SMS Temporarily

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An easy-to-follow guide on preventing incoming SMS texts temporarily
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iPhone and Android phone users may temporarily block messages in a few different ways. In addition to blocking specific contacts temporarily, iPhone and Android phones can also mute all distractions, such as notifications from texts. iPhones can even mute notifications from a single contact or conversation!

Temporarily Block Incoming Messages on iPhone

To stop receiving incoming SMS texts, iMessages, and calls on an iPhone, go to the Settings app and turn off your cellular data, then disconnect from wifi. If you prefer, you can also block a specific contact for a period of time, then unblock them later when you’re ready to start receiving messages from them again.

Method 1
Method 1 of 6:

iPhone - Turning Off Cellular Data

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  1. Turning off your iPhone's cellular data will temporarily disable your iPhone's ability to receive SMS texts or calls.
    • You will still be able to receive iMessages and MMS (Multi Media Service) messages over a wifi network. Unlike SMS, these messages do not require cellular data and may be sent over wifi. If you also want to block iMessages and MMS messages, turn off wifi.
    • If you want to turn off wifi, click “Wi-Fi” instead.
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  3. The toggle will become grey. You will no longer receive SMS text messages or phone calls.
    • If you like, go back to the wiki section of your settings and slide the toggle next to “Wi-Fi” to the left. The toggle will become grey and you will no longer receive iMessages or MMS messages.
  4. The toggle will become green and you will once again receive SMS text messages and phone calls.
    • To turn wifi back on, slide the toggle next to “Wi-Fi” to the right. The toggle will become green and you will once again be able to send and receive calls, texts, and FaceTime requests.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 6:

iPhone - Blocking and Unblocking Contacts

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  1. When you block a contact, you will not longer receive phone calls, SMS text messages, or FaceTime requests from this individual. The individual will not be aware that you blocked them.
    • Alternatively, you can open the “Phone” app.
    • If you opened the “Phone” app, click “Contacts”. Find this icon at the bottom of the screen. Then, select the contact you would like to block.
  3. Find “Details” in the very top, right corner of the screen. It is to the right of the contact's name.
    • Skip this step if you launched the “Phone” app.
  4. Find this icon (a lowercase “i” in a circle”) to the right of the contact's name.
    • Skip this step if you launched the “Phone” app.
  6. Since the individual is unaware that you blocked them, they may continue to send you SMS text messages, iMessages, MMS messages, and call you. Your phone will not store these messages and you will not be able to view them when you unblock the caller.
    • If you delete the conversation from your Messages inbox, you will not be able to retrieve the erased messages once you unblock the contact.
    • Launch the “Settings” app.
    • Click “Phone”, “Messages”, or “FaceTime”. You can manage your blocked contacts from all three places.
    • Locate and click “Blocked”.
    • Tap “Edit”. Find “Edit” in the very top, right corner of the page.
    • Find the contact you want to unblock.
    • Click on the red circle to the left of their name.
    • Select “Unblock”. You will once again receive phone calls, text messages, and FaceTime requests from this contact. [1]
  8. This option is only available if you did not delete the conversation you were having with the contact after you blocked them.
    • Click on the “Messages” app.
    • Click on the conversation with the contact you would like to unblock.
    • Click “Details”. Find “Details” in the very top, right corner of the screen. It is to the right of the contact's name.
    • Click on the information icon. Find this icon (a lowercase “i” in a circle”) to the right of the contact's name.
    • Scroll to the bottom of the page and press “Unblock this Caller”. This will unblock the contact.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 6:

iPhone - Muting Notifications from a Conversation

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  1. iPhone users may place a single conversation in “do not disturb” mode. While this will prevent you from seeing notifications from the conversation, you will still receive the SMS text messages and be able to view them later.
    • This feature applies to group and one-on-one messages.
  3. Find “Details” in the very top, right corner of the screen. It is to the right of the contact's name.
  4. Find this after the contact's/contacts' information and the “Location” section.
  5. You will continue to receive texts in this thread but you will not receive notifications.
    • A crescent moon icon will appear next to the thread in your Messages app.
  6. Once you turn off “Do Not Disturb”, you will once again receive notifications from this conversation. [2]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 6:

iPhone - Do Not Disturb Mode

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  1. This mode allows you to temporarily suspend noises and notifications associated with SMS text messages, phone calls, and FaceTime requests. You will still receive calls, texts, and FaceTime requests, but your iPhone will not ring, vibrate, and/or light up. [3]
  2. The iPhone control panel will appear.
  3. It will turn from grey to white. This icon, which turns on “do not disturb” mode, is located at the top of the control panel between the bluetooth icon and the screen lock icon.
  4. It will turn from white to grey. [4]
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Method 5
Method 5 of 6:

Android - Blocking a Contact

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  1. When you block a number, or add it to your Android's “Spam Filter”, you will no longer receive phone calls or SMS text messages from that contact. The contact will remain unaware that you blocked them.
    • The contact's name and information will still be available to you through your contacts list.
  2. This icon (three white dots in a vertical line) is located in the very top, right corner of your screen. It will launch a drop-down menu.
  5. This will allow you to block a number, or add it to your “Spam filter”.
    • Press “Enter number” and type the number in by hand. Click “+” next to the number to add it to your spam filter. The number will be added to the list below.
    • Tap “Inbox”—you'll be brought to your inbox. Select the thread with contact you wish to block—you'll return to the previous screen and the number will automatically appear in the “Enter number” field. Click “+” next to the number to add it to your spam filter. The number will be added to the list below.
    • Tap “Contacts”—you'll be brought to your contacts list. Select the contact you wish to block—you'll return to the previous screen and the number will automatically appear in the “Enter number” field. Click “+” next to the number to add it to your spam filter. The number will be added to the list below.
  7. [5]
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Method 6
Method 6 of 6:

Android - Blocking Mode

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  1. Android's “Blocking Mode” is designed to temporarily block calls, notifications, and/or alarms.
  3. This feature is located in the section labeled “Personal”.
  4. This toggle is located in the very top, right corner of the screen. This will allow you to access and alter all of the settings associated with “Blocking Mode”.
    • To disable “Blocking Mode”, slide this toggle to the left (off).
  5. When you activate “Blocking Mode”, your incoming calls are blocked, your notifications are muted, and your alarms are muted by default. If you only want to mute notifications, uncheck the boxes next to “Block incoming calls” and “Turn off alarm and timer”.
    • Use the “Allowed contacts” feature to select individuals or groups that can contact you when you are in this mode.
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  • Question
    Will this work in a basic mobile phone?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will definitely work in any phone regardless of your location.
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  • Question
    When you restore the blocking will the pending sms still reach you?
    Community Answer
    No. When you block a contact, your phone never receives messages sent from that contact.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201229
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201287
      3. ↑ http://www.iphonetricks.org/iphone-do-not-disturb-mode-vs-ringsilent-switch/
      4. ↑ http://www.iphonetricks.org/iphone-do-not-disturb-mode-vs-ringsilent-switch/
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RblWeNWwRD4

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