How to block a number on iPhone

It's your phone. Take control.
By Brian Koerber  on 
Three iPhone screenshots displaying steps to manage Blocked Contacts.
Here are the simple steps to block a phone number on your iPhone. Credit: mashable composite: apple

Maybe you're annoyed with relentless spam calls, or there's someone in your life you never want to speak to again. It's your phone. You decide who gets to call you, and who should not have that access. Luckily, blocking phone numbers on your iPhone is easy, and you should take full advantage of the feature.

Here we'll break down the steps to block a caller on your iPhone so that you no longer receive calls, FaceTime calls, and messages from that number.

How to block a caller on an iPhone

Total Time
  • 2 min
What You Need
  • iPhone
  • Phone app

Step 1: Open the Phone app on you iPhone. This is the app you usually use to make phone calls, and is probably located on your home screen. The icon for the phone app is green with a white phone receiver.

Screenshot of an iPhone with the Phone app highlighted.
Tap on the Phone app to block a number on iPhone. Credit: screenshot: Apple

Step 2: Tap on the "i" icon next to the caller's name or number. This icon will appear under the Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail tabs on the Phone app on iPhone.

Screenshot of an iPhone with the "i" icon highlighted.
Click on the "i" icon to block a number on iPhone. Credit: screenshot: apple

Step 3: Once you tap into the caller's details, scroll down and tap "Block this Caller."

Screenshot of an iPhone with "Block this Caller" highlighted.
Tap Block this Caller" to block the number. Credit: SCREENSHOT: APPLE

Step 4: Tap "Block Contact."

Screenshot of an iPhone with "Block Contact" highlighted.
Tap "Block Contact" to confirm. Credit: SCREENSHOT: APPLE

A confirmation will appear to block the number. Tap "Block Contact" and you're done! The number will no longer be able to call you, message you, or FaceTime call you.

Manage blocked callers

Three iPhone screenshots displaying steps to manage Blocked Contacts.
Here is how you manage blocked callers on iPhone Credit: Screenshot: Apple

To manage numbers you have blocked, follow these steps.

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Total Time
  • 2 min
What You Need
  • iPhone
  • Phone app

Step 1: Tap "Settings" on your home screen.

Step 2: Tap on the Phone app.

Step 3: Tap on "Blocked Contacts" to manage numbers you have blocked.

Three iPhone screenshots displaying steps to manage Blocked Contacts.
Here's how you manage blocked callers on iPhone. Credit: Screenshot: Apple

Send all unknown callers to voicemail

Now, if you really want to lock down your iPhone, Apple lets you send all unknown callers to voicemail. This is under the same Phone settings page from above.

Total Time
  • 2 min
What You Need
  • iPhone
  • Phone app

Step 1: Tap "Settings" on your home screen.

Step 2: Tap on the Phone app.

Step 3: Tap "Silence Unknown Callers" to toggle the feature on or off.

Three iPhone screenshots displaying steps to Silence Unknown Callers.
Here is how you silence unknown callers on iPhone. Credit: Screenshot: apple

According to Apple, "Calls from unknown numbers will be silenced, sent to voicemail, and displayed on the Recents list. Incoming calls will continue to ring from people in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, and Siri Suggestions."

If you do decide to do this, remember to check your voicemail to make sure you're not missing something important!

Topics iPhone

photo of brian
Brian Koerber

Brian was the Culture Editor and has been working at Mashable on the web culture desk since 2014.


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