To block a number on iPhone, open the Phone app, go to Recents, tap the info (i) button next to the number, scroll to the bottom, and tap Block this Caller, then confirm with Block Contact. That stops the number from calling, texting, or FaceTiming you. You can block from several apps, and this guide covers each one plus how to unblock and how to fight spam callers who keep switching numbers.

Block a number from the Phone app

This is the fastest method for a number that recently called you:

  1. Open the Phone app and tap Recents.
  2. Find the call and tap the info (i) button to its right.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Block this Caller.
  4. Tap Block Contact to confirm.

Block a saved contact

If the number is already in your address book:

  1. Open the Contacts app (or the Contacts tab in Phone).
  2. Tap the person to open their card.
  3. Scroll to the bottom and tap Block this Caller, then confirm.

Blocking a contact blocks every phone number and email saved on that card at once.

Block a number from Messages or FaceTime

To block someone who is texting you:

  1. Open the conversation in Messages.
  2. Tap the name or number at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap Info, scroll down, and tap Block this Caller.

In FaceTime, tap the info (i) button next to a recent call, then tap Block this Caller. Because blocking covers calls, texts, and FaceTime together, blocking in any one app blocks the person everywhere.

See and manage your blocked list

All blocked numbers live in one place. On recent iOS, app-specific settings moved under a new Apps section:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps, then Phone (on older iOS, just tap Phone directly).
  3. Tap Blocked Contacts to see the full list.
  4. To remove one, swipe left on it and tap Unblock, or tap Edit and remove it.

You will find the same Blocked Contacts list under Messages and FaceTime settings; they all point to one shared list.

When blocking is not enough: spam callers

Blocking works well for one persistent person, but spam and robocalls usually come from a different number every time, so blocking them one by one is a losing battle. Two features help more:

  • Silence Unknown Callers: Go to Settings, Apps, Phone, Silence Unknown Callers and turn it on. Calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Siri Suggestions are silenced and sent to voicemail. You still see them in Recents, so you never miss a genuine call.
  • Your carrier’s spam filter: Most US carriers offer a free app or setting that flags or blocks likely spam before it reaches you.

One thing blocking will not do is stop a determined caller from reaching you through a different app or number. If you are dealing with harassment or threats, keep records and contact your carrier or local authorities.

Block an email sender too

The Block this Caller option covers phone numbers and, if a contact card includes an email address, that email as well. To block an email sender specifically in the Mail app, open a message from them, tap the sender’s name at the top, and choose Block this Contact. Blocked email senders are managed under Settings, Apps, Mail, Blocked, and you can choose whether blocked mail is left in your inbox or moved straight to Trash under Blocked Sender Options.

What blocking does and does not do

It helps to know the exact behavior so you are not caught off guard:

  • Blocked calls go straight to voicemail; a blocked caller can still leave a message, but it lands in a separate Blocked Messages section of Voicemail that you can ignore.
  • Blocked texts are never delivered and you get no notification, but the sender is not told the message failed.
  • Blocking is tied to the specific number or email, so a caller using a new number gets through until you block that one too.
  • Blocking does not affect third-party apps like WhatsApp or Signal; block contacts inside each of those apps separately.

Because blocking is silent, it is often the better choice than confrontation for an unwanted acquaintance or a stubborn telemarketer. And because it is fully reversible, there is no harm in blocking first and reconsidering later; nothing is deleted and no message is sent to the other person.

Reduce spam texts, not just calls

Blocking works the same way for text spam, but you can also filter unknown senders so they never buzz your phone. Go to Settings, Apps, Messages and turn on Filter Unknown Senders. Texts from numbers not in your contacts move to a separate Unknown Senders list and stop sending notifications, which cuts down on scam and marketing messages without you blocking each one. You can also report iMessage spam by tapping Report Junk beneath a message from an unknown sender.

Related iPhone guides

Tidying up your phone in general? You may also want to delete apps you no longer use or check your iPhone storage. And if calls keep dropping rather than spamming, resetting your connection settings can help.