This wikiHow teaches you how to block text messages from anyone on your contacts list or from an unknown phone number. In order to block messages from a number not in your contacts, the number must have contacted you at some point.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Blocking Someone from Messages
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Open your iPhone's Messages. Tap the Messages app icon, which resembles a white speech bubble on a green background.
- This method is perfect for stopping future texts from a person regardless of whether or not they are in your contacts. To block a contact from texting you before they ever do, use the next method .
- If the number called you, you can block it by opening the Phone app, tapping Recents tab, and then skipping the next step to proceed.
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Select a text. Tap on a text from a person you want to block. You can block any contact or number that has sent you a text.
- If Messenger opens to an existing conversation, tap the "Back" button in the top-left corner of the screen to exit the conversation.
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Tap ⓘ . This is in the upper-right corner of the screen. Doing so will display the details for that text conversation.
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Tap the name or number of the sender. This will open the contact information screen.
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Scroll down and tap Block this Caller . It's at the bottom of the list of details.
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Tap Block Contact when prompted. This will add the contact or number to your iPhone's block list. Any future messages from that number will not be received, and the sender will not be informed that they are blocked. [1] X Research source
- If you need to remove a number or contact from your block list, go to Settings → Tap Messages → Tap Blocked → Tap Edit → Tap the - button next to a contact or number from the list to unblock them.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Blocking a Contact from Settings
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Open your iPhone's Settings. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it.
- This method is ideal when you want to block someone who is already a contact in your iPhone before they have the chance to text you, but it can't be used for non-contacts. If you want to block a random number, use the first method instead.
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Scroll down and tap Messages . You'll find this option about halfway down the Settings page.
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Scroll down and tap Blocked . This option is in the middle of the page below the "SMS/MMS" heading.
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Scroll down and tap Add New… . It's at the very bottom of the list of blocked numbers.
- If you don't have any blocked numbers, you won't need to scroll down.
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Select a contact. Scroll through your list of contacts until you find the person whom you want to block, then tap their name. This will add them to the list of blocked contacts.Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Filtering iMessages from Unfamiliar Numbers
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Open your iPhone's Settings. Tap the Settings app icon, which resembles a grey box with gears on it..
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Scroll down and tap Messages . It is located in the fifth set of menu options.
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Scroll down and tap the white "Filter Unknown Senders" switch. The switch will turn green . Your iPhone will now separate messages that come from senders not on your contacts list to a separate tab in the Messages app.
- In the Messages app, you'll see new tabs at the top: Contacts & SMS and Unknown Senders . You will not be notified of messages that go into the Unknown Senders tab. [2] X Research source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWill the sender see anything if I block a message, and if so, what will they see?Community AnswerIf you block a number when they send you a message it'll look like it sent for them, but you will never receive it.
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QuestionHow do I block my number when sending a text?Community AnswerType in *67 and then your number.
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QuestionWill turning on the "Do not disturb" setting block messages?Katherine Googins '21Community AnswerIt won't block the messages, but it will mute them so that your phone won't buzz or ring if you get notifications.
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Video
Tips
- Contact your carrier if you are being harassed. You'll have much better success blocking harassing texts from unknown numbers if you contact your carrier, as they have access to more powerful blocking tools.Thanks
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Warnings
- You cannot add a phone number to the block list without the number either contacting you or being in your Contacts list.Thanks
- Unfortunately, iOS doesn't allow you to block all texts except accepted numbers. You can only block specific contacts and numbers that have texted you first.Thanks
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References
About this article
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"Using all for experimenting, actually. I just have never learned how to do anything on my phones except to call text or email. I have more time on my hands now I'm older and interested. Thank you."
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