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    Safety & Privacy
    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Block a Phone Number on iPhone or Android

    Blocking a number stops calls, texts, and FaceTime from that person. They can no longer reach you.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Safety & Privacy
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    block number
    iphone
    android
    block calls
    block texts
    unwanted calls
    harassment

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Block from a recent call on iPhone
    2. 2.Block from a contact on iPhone
    3. 3.Block from a recent call on Android
    4. 4.Block from a text message on Android
    5. 5.Unblock a number
    1

    Block from a recent call on iPhone

    ~23s
    Open the Phone app → "Recents" tab. Find the number you want to block. Tap the ⓘ information icon next to it. Scroll down and tap "Block this Caller" → "Block Contact" to confirm. The number is now blocked.

    Quick Tip

    You can also block directly from a text message. Open the conversation → tap the person's name or number at the top → "Info" → "Block this Caller."

    2

    Block from a contact on iPhone

    ~18s
    Open the Contacts app → find the contact you want to block. Tap their name to open their contact page. Scroll down to the bottom → tap "Block this Caller" → "Block Contact." Blocking a contact blocks all their numbers — if they have multiple phone numbers listed, all are blocked.
    3

    Block from a recent call on Android

    ~15s
    Open the Phone app → tap "Recents." Find the number or caller. Tap and hold the entry, or tap the three dots (...) next to it → "Block" or "Block/Report Spam." Confirm. The number is right away blocked.
    4

    Block from a text message on Android

    ~24s
    Open the Messages app → find the conversation from the number you want to block. Tap and hold the conversation (or open it and tap the three dots at the top) → "Block" → confirm. Blocked messages go to a "Blocked Messages" folder.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: On Android, when you block and report as spam, it also submits the number to Google for spam analysis — helping protect other users.

    5

    Unblock a number

    ~17s
    iPhone: SettingsPhoneBlocked Contacts → tap "Edit" → tap the red minus icon next to a number → "Unblock." Android: Open Phone app → three dots → SettingsBlocked Numbers → tap the X next to a number to unblock. The number can reach you again right away.

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    Blocking a phone number prevents that number from calling you, sending you text messages, or reaching you via FaceTime (on iPhone). When a blocked number calls, the call goes directly to voicemail without your phone ringing. Texts go to a hidden "Blocked Messages" folder.

    The blocked person is not notified that they have been blocked. It looks to them like the call is not being answered or the message is not delivered.

    When to block a number:

    - Repeated unwanted calls or texts from someone you do not want contact with - Harassment or threatening calls - Spam calls that keep coming back (blocking does not fully stop all robocalls, but it helps for persistent ones) - An ex or other person you no longer want to hear from

    Blocking is reversible. You can unblock at any time.

    For robocalls and spam specifically

    : Blocking individual numbers may not stop all spam calls since many robocalls come from different numbers each time. For spam call protection, also turn on "Silence Unknown Callers" (iPhone: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers) or use a dedicated spam-blocking service like Nomorobo or Hiya.

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    block number
    iphone
    android
    block calls
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    unwanted calls
    harassment

    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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