How to Block Incoming Text Messages on an iPhone or Android Phone

PDF download Download Article
An easy-to-follow guide on preventing incoming SMS texts temporarily
PDF download Download Article

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 Wi-Fi. 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 10:

iPhone - Enabling Airplane Mode

PDF download Download Article
  1. Airplane mode temporarily turns off your phone’s access to cellular data. This is a quick and easy way to block incoming texts for as long as you need. To get started, open your iPhone’s Control Center . [1]
    • If you have an iPhone without a Home Button, swipe down from the top right corner of your screen.
    • If your iPhone has a Home Button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
  2. You’ll see it in the group of connectivity-related icons at the top left side of your Control Center. When the icon turns orange, Airplane Mode is active.
    • Turning on Airplane Mode will stop regular SMS texts from coming through, but it won’t prevent you from getting iMessages or RCS messages if Wi-Fi is still enabled.
      • You can turn off Wi-Fi from the same group of controls in Control Center by tapping theicon. This will ensure that you don’t get texts over Wi-Fi, either.
    • Once you disable Airplane Mode, you’ll receive any texts that people tried to send you while Airplane Mode was on.
    3. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 10:

iPhone - Turning Off Cellular Data

PDF download Download Article
  1. Just like turning on Airplane Mode, turning off your cellular data will keep you from sending or receiving standard SMS and MMS messages. However, if you also want to block other types of texts (such as iMessages and RCS texts), you’ll need to turn off Wi-Fi as well. Swipe down from the top right corner of your screen to open your Control Center.
    • If you have an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen instead.
    • Alternatively, you can open the Settings app and tap Cellular (or Mobile ), then toggle off Cellular Data (or Mobile Data ).
    • Turning off both cellular and Wi-Fi data will also prevent you from making or receiving calls.
  2. The Cellular Data icon is green when cellular data is enabled. Tap the icon to turn it off, and it will turn gray.
    • You may need to expand this group of controls by tapping on it before you can tap the Cellular Data button.
  3. To turn off other kinds of texts, such as iMessage and RCS, tap the Wi-Fi icon in the same group of controls in the Control Center. The icon will go from blue to gray when you disable Wi-Fi.
    • You can also go to Settings > Wi-Fi and toggle Wi-Fi off.
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 10:

iPhone - Blocking and Unblocking Contacts

PDF download Download Article
  1. When you block a contact, you will no longer receive phone calls, SMS text messages, iMessages, or FaceTime requests from this individual. The individual will not know that you blocked them, and you can unblock them again anytime.
    • Alternatively, you can open the “Phone” app to block a contact.
    • If you opened the “Phone” app, tap “Contacts”. Find this icon at the bottom of the screen. Then, select the contact you would like to block.
  3. You should see their name or number and a round icon at the top of the conversation. If the person doesn’t have a user icon, you’ll see their initials or a generic icon of a person’s head and shoulders.
    • Skip this step if you already opened this person’s contact information in the Phone app.
  4. Under the person’s name at the top of the screen, look for a button that says info . Tap on it to open the person’s full contact card.
    • Skip this step if you opened the contact in 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.
  7. If you block someone, you can unblock them anytime in the Settings app. Once you unblock them, they’ll be able to send you texts and call you again. [2]
    • Open Settings > Apps > Phone . You can also unblock them from the settings menu for Messages or FaceTime .
    • Scroll down and tap Blocked Contacts .
    • Swipe left on the contact you want to unblock and tap Unblock .
  8. This option is only available if you did not delete the conversation you were having with the contact after you blocked them.
    • Tap on the “Messages” app.
    • Tap on the conversation with the contact you would like to unblock.
    • Tap the contact’s profile image at the top of the message.
    • Tap info under the contact’s name.
    • Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Unblock Caller . This will immediately unblock the person and allow them to send you texts again.
    9. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 10:

iPhone - Muting Notifications from a Conversation

PDF download Download Article
  1. iPhone users may place a single conversation in “Hide Alerts” 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. You’ll see a round icon with their user icon, initials, or a generic icon of a person’s head and shoulders. Tap on this to open a new menu.
  4. Depending on what other options are available for this particular contact, you might see this option near the top of the menu or about halfway down. Tap the gray switch to move it to the green“On” position.
    • A gray icon of a bell with a line through it will appear on the right side of the conversation in the main Messages menu.
  5. Once you turn off “Hide Alerts,” you will once again receive notifications from this conversation. [3]
    • You can also toggle Hide Alerts on and off by swiping partway left on a conversation and tapping the purple bell icon.
    6. Advertisement
Method 5
Method 5 of 10:

iPhone - Do Not Disturb Mode

PDF download Download Article
  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. [4]
  2. The iPhone Control Center will appear.
    • If you’re using an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
  3. It will turn from grey to white and purple. You can also tap the word Focus next to the crescent moon icon to open other Focus modes.
  4. It will turn from white and purple to gray.
    5. Advertisement
Method 6
Method 6 of 10:

iPhone - Using Screen Time Limits

PDF download Download Article
  1. On an iPhone, you can temporarily limit texts from most contacts during Downtime using the Screen Time feature. You’ll need to allow at least one selected contact for this to work. To get started, open Settings and go to Screen Time . [5]
  2. If you already have App & Website Activity enabled in Screen Time, skip this step.
  3. Go back to the main Screen Time menu and tap Communication Limits .
  4. This will allow you to choose which contacts are blocked during scheduled downtime.
    • If you have a Screen Time passcode set, you’ll be prompted to enter it now.
  5. This will open your list of contacts so you can select at least one exception to the communication limit.
    • If you really don’t want anyone else to contact you during Downtime, you can select yourself from your contacts!
    • You can also limit who can contact you outside of Downtime, but the options are more limited. Tap During Screen Time and select from Contacts Only , Contacts & Groups with at Least One Contact , or Everyone .
  6. When you’re ready to start blocking texts, go to the main Screen Time menu and select Downtime . You can either select Turn On Downtime Until Tomorrow , or toggle on Scheduled and set a specific time period. Either way, all communications from people who aren’t on your allowed contacts list will be blocked as long as Downtime is enabled.
    7. Advertisement
Method 7
Method 7 of 10:

Android - Airplane Mode

PDF download Download Article
  1. On Android phones, you can quickly disable cellular data, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi by enabling Airplane Mode. This will prevent you from sending or receiving texts. If anyone tries to send you texts while you’re in Airplane Mode, you’ll get them when you turn it off.
    • On a stock Android phone, open your Settings app and tap Network & internet , then turn on Airplane mode . You can also swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the airplane icon. [6]
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > Airplane mode and use the switch to toggle Airplane Mode on or off. [7]
  2. By default, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth should turn off when you enable Airplane Mode. If not, you can turn off Wi-Fi manually to prevent non-SMS texts from coming through.
    • On a stock Android phone, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet and turn off Wi-Fi, if it’s on. You can also swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the Wi-Fi icon.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi and toggle the Wi-Fi switch off.
    3. Advertisement
Method 8
Method 8 of 10:

Android - Turning off Cellular Data

PDF download Download Article
  1. On any Android device, you can switch off cellular data temporarily to stop getting SMS texts. If your phone allows other types of texting, such as RCS, you may also need to turn off Wi-Fi. To turn off mobile data:
    • On a stock Android, go to Settings > Network & internet and tap Settings next to your carrier. Toggle off Mobile data . [8]
    • On a Pixel, go to Settings > Network & internet > SIMs and toggle Mobile data off.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Panel . Tap the Mobile Data icon to switch your cellular data on or off. [9]
      • You can also go to Settings > Connections > Data Usage and toggle off the switch next to Mobile data .
  2. If your phone allows Wi-Fi texting, you can also turn off Wi-Fi to prevent non-SMS texts from coming through.
    • On a stock Android phone, go to Settings > Network & internet > Internet and turn off Wi-Fi, if it’s on. You can also swipe down from the top of your screen and tap the Wi-Fi icon.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi and toggle the Wi-Fi switch off.
    3. Advertisement
Method 9
Method 9 of 10:

Android - Blocking a Contact

PDF download Download Article
  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 will bring up a menu. [10]
  3. You’ll see this option in the menu that pops up. Tap OK to confirm the block.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, select More > Block instead. Tap Block again to confirm. [11]
  4. When you’re ready to unblock the person, open Messages and tap your profile picture. Then select â‹® > Spam & blocked . Select the blocked contact and tap Unblock .
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, open the Contacts app, select the blocked contact, and tap More > Unblock contact .
    5. Advertisement
Method 10
Method 10 of 10:

Android - Do Not Disturb Mode

PDF download Download Article
  1. This will open the Device Controls menu on your phone. [12]
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, swipe down with two fingers to open the Quick Settings menu. [13]
    • Putting your phone in Do Not Disturb mode will prevent you from getting text notifications. You’ll still get SMS and other text messages, but your phone won’t make a sound, vibrate, or show any visual alerts.
  2. This will instantly put your phone in Do Not Disturb mode. Tap it again to turn off Do Not Disturb.
  3. It’s possible that you have an exception in your settings that allows text notifications, at least from certain contacts.
    • On a stock Android, go to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb . Check under the What can interrupt Do Not Disturb to make sure you aren’t allowing calls or texts from certain people.
    • On a Samsung Galaxy, swipe down with two fingers to open Quick Settings, then touch and hold Do Not Disturb . Swipe through to the Allowed during Do not disturb screen and check for any exceptions under the Calls and messages header.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Will this work in a basic mobile phone?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it will definitely work in any phone regardless of your location.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Send a Text Message Online
      How to
      Know if Your Number Was Blocked
      How to
      Block All Calls on iPhone or iPad with Do Not Disturb
      7 Easy Ways to Block a Phone Contact on iPhone, Android, & More
      Easy Ways to Unblock Cell Phone and Landline Numbers
      4 Ways to Call Back a Blocked Number
      How to
      Block No Caller ID Calls & Hide Your Own
      How to
      Block Someone’s Number on Your Cell Phone
      How to
      Block a Call
      How to
      Block a Number from Texting You
      How to
      Block Unknown Callers
      3 Ways to Block Private Numbers on iPhone
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about texting, check out our in-depth interview with Brehima Traore .

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108785
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-au/111104
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/104982
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/105112
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-communication-limits-block-apps-content-iph3ff83f3b1/ios
      6. ↑ https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/12639358?hl=en#zippy=%2Cturn-airplane-mode-on-or-off-from-the-settings-app
      7. ↑ https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-222885/
      8. ↑ https://support.google.com/fi/answer/9458407?hl=en#zippy=%2Cturn-mobile-data-on-or-off
      9. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/latin_en/support/mobile-devices/how-to-enable-or-disable-mobile-data-on-your-galaxy-phone/
      1. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7029021?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid&oco=1
      2. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002869/
      3. ↑ https://support.google.com/android/answer/9069335?hl=en#zippy=%2Cset-what-to-block
      4. ↑ https://www.samsung.com/us/support/answer/ANS10002889/

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 327,848 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Jul 31, 2016

        "Thanks!"
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement