The Easiest Ways to Block Text Messages on iPhone and Android

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Stop spam texts from filling up your inbox in a few easy steps
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Unwanted texts can be annoying and unexpectedly costly, especially if your data plan doesn't allow unlimited texts. But can you block texts on your iPhone or Android? Fortunately, yes—and there are several ways to do it. You can block unwanted texts using your phone, through your carrier, or using a third-party app. There's even a number you can report spam messages to. This wikiHow guide, with help from consumer technology expert Mitch Harris, teaches you how to block unwanted texts on iPhone, Android, and third-party apps, and how to report them.

The Best Ways to Block Unwanted Texts

  • On an iPhone, open the conversation and tap the sender icon at the top of the screen. Then, tap Info and select Block Caller .
  • On an Android, press and hold the conversation and select Block (stock Android) or More > Block (Samsung Galaxy).
  • Your carrier may also offer text blocking services that you can activate on their website or app.
Section 1 of 6:

On iPhone

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  1. If you have been receiving unwanted messages, they should be in your list of messages. Open the Messages app and navigate to the conversation with the person you want to block. [1]
    • Harris explains you can also block a phone number using the Phone app. Just tap Recents , tap next to the person you want to block, scroll down, and select Block this Caller .
  2. Tap it once and a menu should open showing the contact’s name (or number) and a few different options.
    • If you don’t want to see alerts from this person but you aren’t ready to block them completely, you can toggle on Hide Alerts from this screen.
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  3. This icon looks like a small version of the generic user icon image with the word “info” underneath. [2]
  4. This will block the user from sending text messages, as well as making phone calls to your number or contacting you through FaceTime. [3]
    • Alternatively, launch the Settings app. This method allows you to block texts from a sender who's in your contacts, but not in your text history. In the Settings app, scroll down and select Apps > Phone , then Blocked Contacts . Scroll down and select Add New. Now, find the person you'd like to block in your contacts list. Select this person and they'll be blocked!
  5. While filtering won’t completely stop you from getting unwanted texts, it will keep them from cluttering up your Messages list. To turn on filtering:
    • Go to your iPhone’s Settings app and open Apps > Messages .
    • Scroll down and toggle on the switch next to Filter Unknown Senders .
    • Now, you won’t see notifications for texts from unknown senders. However, you can still see them by tapping Filters at the top of the Messages app and selecting Unknown Senders .
  6. This won’t block the sender, but if enough users report the same number, they might get flagged as a known scammer by your carrier. To do this, find the conversation in your text history, swipe left on it, and tap the trash can icon. In the menu that pops up, tap Delete and Report Junk .
  7. With Apple’s Screen Time feature, you can block texts for yourself or your child while Screen Time limits are active. [4] Here’s how to do it:
    • Open your Settings app and select Screen Time .
    • Tap App & Website Activity and select Tun On App & Website Activity . From here, you can schedule downtime or set daily time limits on certain apps , including Messages.
    • Go back to the main Screen Time menu and tap Communication Limits .
    • From here, you can set limits on who can communicate with you during either downtime or allowed screen time.
      • Tap During Screen Time and choose from Contacts Only , Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact , or Everyone to determine who can communicate with you during allowed screen time.
      • Tap During Downtime to set limits on who can communicate with you or your child during scheduled downtime. Your options are Specific Contacts or Everyone . If you choose Specific Contacts , you’ll be prompted to select allowed contacts from your list of contacts or add new contacts. All texts from other contacts will be blocked, and you won’t be able to text those people, either.
    • Return to the main Screen Time menu and tap Communication Safety . From here, you can toggle on Communication Safety to block potentially inappropriate content in texts, such as nude photos or videos.
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Section 2 of 6:

On Android

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  1. Tap the app icon that resembles a speech bubble. Tap the messages app icon to open your message inbox. [5]
    • This works for Messages by Google, also known as Google Messages. This is the default messaging app on stock Android devices. If you have a Samsung Galaxy, see the next section .
    • According to Harris, you can also block a phone number using your Android's Phone app. Just open the Phone app, tap Call history , select the number you want to block, then select Block or Report spam .
  2. Just tapping it will open the message instead, so you'll need to return to the main page of your texts and try again. [6]
    • Your phone will vibrate and show that you've selected the conversation.
  3. It looks like a circle with a diagonal slash through it.
  4. This will confirm the block.
    • You can always unblock the conversation (and the blocked contact) by opening Messages and tapping your profile picture, then selecting â‹® > Spam & blocked . Choose your blocked contact from the list and tap Unblock .
  5. You can block all communication from unknown numbers in your Android’s Phone app, which may cut down on the number of spam texts you receive. To do this: [7]
    • Open Phone > â‹® > Settings > Blocked numbers and toggle on the switch next to Unknown .
  6. While this won’t actually block texts from spammers, it will automatically hide them in your spam folder and send you an alert about suspected spam. If you get a spam warning, you can check the message and either confirm that it’s spam or select Report not spam . This feature is enabled by default on devices where it’s available, but you can toggle it on or off: [8]
    • Open the Messages app and tap your profile picture.
    • Tap Message settings > Spam protection .
    • Toggle Enable spam protection on or off to activate or disable this feature.
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Section 3 of 6:

On a Samsung Galaxy

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  1. It typically has an icon that resembles a speech bubble. Tap the messages app icon to open your message inbox. [9]
  2. A menu of options will appear at the bottom of the screen.
  3. This will open a context menu.
  4. Tap Block again to confirm your choice.
    • Alternatively, go to Contacts > â‹® > Settings in the Samsung Messages app, then tap Block numbers and spam > Block numbers and type in the number you want to block. Tap the + symbol to add it to your block list.
      • You can also remove numbers from your block list in this menu.
  5. To reduce the number of spam texts you get, you can block communications from private or unknown numbers. To do this, open the Phone app and go to â‹® > Settings > Block numbers . Toggle on the switch next to Block calls from unknown numbers .
    • Depending on your device or operating system, you may see Block unknown/private numbers instead. [10]
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Section 4 of 6:

Through Your Carrier

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  1. Most mobile carriers have the option to block text messages or calls on their website or mobile app. Go to the following websites for your carrier.
  2. Enter the username and password associated with your account from your wireless carrier. If you have a family or group plan, sign in using the primary account holder's username and password.
  3. The layout of each carrier's website or mobile app will be different. Use the following options to locate options to block text messages.
    • T-Mobile/Sprint: Navigate to https://t-mo.co/profileblocking and click Message Blocking . Select the phone line you want to edit.
      • In the T-Life app, go to Settings > Permissions & controls > Block calls and messages . Select the phone line for which you want to block messages.
    • Verizon: Click Account > My plan and then click Blocks . Select the phone line for which you want to block numbers. [14]
      • In the My Verizon app, go to tap the Account tab and select the line on which you want to block texts. Then go to the Settings & Preferences section and select Block calls and messages . [15]
    • AT&T: Select the option to set up My Block List . [16]
  4. Many carriers have different options for blocking numbers. You may be able to block all messages, block inbound or outbound messages, block picture messages, or block individual numbers. For example:
    • The T-Mobile website and app offer the option to block all chargeable text and picture messages (which may prevent you from receiving any texts at all) or to block emails sent as texts from the TMOmail.net domain.
    • The AT&T Active Armor app allows you to make a custom block list or block all texts sent from email messages.
    • Verizon allows you to block up to 5 numbers for up to 90 days. You must reapply the block after that time elapses.
  5. Depending on the carrier's website or app, this may be a button that says Block Number , or Add or a plus (+) sign.
  6. This blocks the number from being able to text you. The recipient will not be notified that they have been blocked.
    • You may also be able to select a number from your contacts or call log.
    • You may need to confirm the block, e.g., by clicking or tapping something like Save or OK .
  7. If you need further assistance with blocking a number, your carrier's tech support line should be able to assist you. Contact your wireless carrier at the following numbers:
    • AT&T: 1-800-331-0500
    • T-Mobile/Sprint: 1-800-937-8997
    • Verizon: 1-800-922-0204
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Section 5 of 6:

Using a Third-Party App

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  1. There are numerous third-party apps on the market that can filter or block unwanted or spam texts. Download and install one of these apps from the App Store (iPhone) or the Google Play Store (Android).
    • Some popular options include SpamHound SMS Spam Filter, SMS Spam Stopper, RoboKiller, and TextKiller.
    • Most of these apps work by detecting common types of words and phrases, images, or links that appear in spam texts.
    • Before downloading any of these apps, do some research and read the reviews to ensure that the service is effective and that the developer won’t sell your data.
    • These apps may either work with your phone’s built in messaging app or replace it completely.
  2. Most apps that block spam texts are customizable. You can add specific numbers to a blocklist or whitelist, or change the rules for which texts get blocked. With some apps, you can train the filter to detect spam more effectively by flagging messages as spam or not spam.
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Section 6 of 6:

Managing Spam

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  1. Some text message ads are sent by automated programs designed to send ads to random phone numbers. In this case, replying to the ad (even just with the word "STOP") can potentially make the problem worse. A reply signifies to the program that there's an actual human at your number, so it will continue to send ads. If you get text spam from a source you don't recognize, ignore it. If it persists, try one of the other methods.
  2. Most US carriers allow you to report spam messages free-of-charge. To report a spam message, copy the message text and send it to 7726 ("SPAM.") This spam reporting service is operated by the GSM Association, a trade association for major mobile operators. By reporting the spam, you're helping to eliminate an annoyance for yourself and other cell phone users. [17]
    • Other countries use different spam reporting numbers. For example, in France, the number is 33700. [18] In India, the number is 1909. [19]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I block text messages from known senders?
    Community Answer
    Take the number you don't want texting you, and create a contact using the number. Then, go into the contact and scroll down. Somewhere, it should say "block contact," or something similiar. Click on that to block that number.
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  • Question
    How do I get my family to stop harassing me?
    Community Answer
    Block them and not only on social media. You can also block them in real life.
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  • Question
    How can I disable text messages?
    Community Answer
    You can either buy a phone plan that does not include texting, or you can ask your provider to block certain numbers from texting you.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/111104
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/111104
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/111104
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-communication-limits-block-apps-content-iph3ff83f3b1/ios
      5. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7029021?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7029021?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1
      7. ↑ https://www.att.com/device-support/article/wireless/KM1495658/Google/GoogleGX7AS/
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/9327903
      9. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002869/
      1. ↑ https://www.att.com/device-support/article/wireless/KM1382278/Samsung/SamsungSMA015A/
      2. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-200867/
      3. ↑ https://dsweb.tracfone.com/611611/help/
      4. ↑ https://www.att.com/security/security-apps/
      5. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-200867/
      6. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-211870/
      7. ↑ https://www.att.com/support/#!/wireless/KM1147710?gsi=n99qd7
      8. ↑ https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages
      9. ↑ https://www.33700.fr/
      10. ↑ https://trai.gov.in/complain-or-report-against-ucc

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