How to Stop a Number from Sending You Text Messages

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A complete guide to blocking pesky, nonstop texts
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Are you getting a lot of annoying texts and you want them to stop? These texts could be from a relative, a coworker, or even a spammer or scammer. The only way to block someone from texting you is to block them entirely, including phone calls. Keep reading to learn how to block numbers via your Messaging app on Android or iPhone, plus some frequently asked questions (including a few workarounds to block texts without blocking calls).

Ways to Block Text Messages

You can block numbers directly from your Messages app. On iPhone, open the conversation and tap the user's number at the top of the screen, then tap Info > Block Caller . In Google Messages, long press a conversation and tap the Block icon. In Samsung Messages, long press a conversation and tap More > Block .

Section 1 of 4:

Blocking in iPhone Messages

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  1. To easily block someone who is texting you, you can block them directly through the Messages app. Simply open Messages (if it's not open already) and tap on the conversation with the number you want to block.
  2. If the user is a contact in your phone, you might see a name instead.
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  3. It's the icon with a person underneath the phone number or contact name.
  4. It's a button with red text at the bottom of the screen. This number will now be blocked from texting you and calling you. [1]
    • To learn if you can block only text messages, jump to our FAQ section below .
    • If the text is from someone who isn't in your contacts list and is sending you spammy, scammy, or junk texts, you can also tap Report Junk at the bottom of the text message conversation. This will report the number to Apple for sending junk.
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Section 2 of 4:

Blocking in Google Messages

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  1. You can easily block someone directly from the Google Messages app. Open Google Messages (if it's not open already) and locate the text conversation with the person you want to block from texting you.
  2. After a moment, the conversation will get a checkmark next to it to denote that it is selected.
  3. This button looks like a circle with a diagonal slash through it.
  4. When you block someone via the Messages app, they also won't be able to call you. Their messages will be sent to your Spam & blocked folder. [2]
    • To learn if you can block only text messages, jump to our FAQ section below .
    • Blocking someone in Google Messages will automatically report the number as spam to Google.
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Section 3 of 4:

Blocking in Samsung Messages

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  1. You can easily block someone directly from the Samsung Messages app. Open Samsung Messages (if it's not open already) and locate the text conversation with the person you want to block from texting you.
  2. After a moment, a contextual menu will pop up.
  3. When prompted a second time, tap Block again.
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. There is no default, built-in way to only block text messages from a user but not calls. However, there are a few workarounds you can try instead:
    • Put your phone in "do not disturb" or "focus" mode. This will temporarily pause notifications for all calls and texts until you turn focus mode off. Unfortunately this is not a permanent solution, but is a quick fix if you just need to focus for a bit.
    • Enable Screen Time/parental controls. Using the parental controls on your phone, you can restrict yourself from using your texting messaging app. This will allow you to get phone calls, but not send or view your texts. Unfortunately this will keep you from seeing all of your text messages, not just texts from a particular person.
    • Use a third-party app to block spam and scam texts. While many phones have some sort of text message filtering built-in, it may not actually block them. A popular app that blocks spam and scam texts is Textkiller , which is available for iPhone and Android.
    • Communicate boundaries with a particular person. If someone is texting you incessantly but you don't want to block them, the only way to get them to stop is to talk to them about your boundaries. Explain when it's okay to text you and why you might not text back right away.
  2. You can also block a number from your recent calls or call history in the Phone app.
    • On iPhone, tap the i button next to the contact you want to block, then tap Block Caller .
    • On Android, tap the number you want to block, then tap Block/report spam .
  3. The way to unblock numbers varies slightly between iPhone and Android:
    • iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps (if you're on iOS 18) > Messages > Blocked Contacts > Edit . Then, tap the red button next to an entry to remove that number from your blocked list.
    • Android: Open the Phone app and tap More > Settings > Blocked numbers . Tap the Clear or Unblock button next to a number to remove it from your blocked list.
  4. Yes, blocking scam/spam texters will reduce the amount of spam/scam texts you get, plus it can help phone companies identify which numbers are associated with spam activity. However, blocking these numbers likely won't make the spam texts stop entirely, as spammers and scammers are constantly using new numbers (or spoofing numbers with an area code similar to yours).
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you block a number on Android?
    Mitch Harris
    Consumer Technology Expert
    Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.
    Mitch Harris
    Consumer Technology Expert
    Expert Answer
    Open your Phone app, tap More, tap Call history, tap a call from the number you want to block, then tap Block / Report Spam.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    How do you block a number on iPhone?
    Mitch Harris
    Consumer Technology Expert
    Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University.
    Mitch Harris
    Consumer Technology Expert
    Expert Answer
    Just open Contacts, tap the contact you want to block, scroll down, then tap Block this Caller.
    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
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 0
  • Question
    Is there anyway to block a number but be able to see when they try to text me?
    Community Answer
    There is a "Do Not Disturb" function on iPhones where you will not get a notification of someone calling or texting but it does not block the number.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/block-filter-and-report-messages-iph203ab0be4/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.google.com/messages/answer/7029021?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=Android&oco=1

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      iPhone:
      1. Open Settings .
      2. Tap Messages .
      3. Tap Blocked .
      4. Tap Add New .
      5. Select a contact.

      Android:
      1. Open Messages or Messenger .
      2. Tap a message from the number.
      3. Tap the 3-dot menu.
      4. Tap Block number or People & options → Block .

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