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    2 min read 4 stepsApril 19, 2026Verified April 2026

    How to Block Spam Text Messages on iPhone and Android

    Tired of spam texts about packages, prizes, and fake banks? Here's how to filter them out and stop them from cluttering your phone.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Tips & Tricks
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    2 min read
    Steps
    4
    Topics covered
    spam
    text messages
    blocking
    iphone
    android
    scam

    In this guide (4 steps):

    1. 1.Turn on spam filtering on iPhone
    2. 2.Block a specific number on iPhone
    3. 3.Enable spam protection on Android
    4. 4.Block a specific number on Android
    1

    Turn on spam filtering on iPhone

    ~25s
    Go to SettingsMessages. Scroll down and turn on "Filter Unknown Senders." This automatically moves text messages from people who are not in your contacts into a separate folder called "Unknown Senders." Your main Messages inbox stays clean with only messages from people you know.

    Quick Tip

    To read messages from unknown senders, open the Messages app and tap "Filters" in the top left corner. You'll see an "Unknown Senders" section with all the filtered messages.

    2

    Block a specific number on iPhone

    ~18s
    Open the spam text message. Tap the phone number or name at the very top of the screen. Tap "info" (the circle with a lowercase i). Scroll down and tap "Block this Caller." Tap "Block Contact" to confirm. Blocked numbers can't call or text you. They go directly to voicemail without ringing.
    3

    Enable spam protection on Android

    ~16s
    Open the Messages app (the standard Google Messages app). Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Tap "Settings" → "Spam protection" → turn on "Enable spam protection." Google's systems will now automatically flag and filter suspected spam texts before they reach your inbox.
    4

    Block a specific number on Android

    ~26s
    Open the spam text message in your Messages app. Press and hold on the message bubble to select it. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right and choose "Block & report spam." Tap "OK" to confirm. This blocks the number and also reports it to Google to help protect other users.

    Quick Tip

    You can also report spam texts to your carrier by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM). This is free and helps your carrier's spam-filtering systems improve.

    You Did It!

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    Spam texts are a daily nuisance for millions of people. They pretend to be package delivery alerts, prize notices, or warnings from your bank. Both iPhone and Android have tools built in that filter and block them for you. Both are free.

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    Official Resources

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