There are all sorts of reasons to block a number: an ex who can't take a hint, relentless telemarketers, or those scammers who love spoofing. When your phone has buzzed one more time than you can take, it's time to block that number. But how? Here are the steps to take depending on your OS and carrier.
Do Not Call List
The first way to reduce the number of unwanted calls coming to your phone is to ditch telemarketers by putting your number into the National Do Not Call Registry. On DoNotCall.gov(Opens in a new window), you can register up to three numbers at once and check if your digits are already there(Opens in a new window). You'll need to include an email address to confirm your registration. Or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
According to the FTC, which runs the registry, your phone number will be added to the registry within 24 hours, but it will likely take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop. If telemarketers persist in calling, file a complaint(Opens in a new window).
Apps like RoboKiller and Nomorobo also block telemarketers and robocallers (and even deploy answer bots that pester them). And apps such as Do Not Respond handle text spammers, too.
Don't expect this to end unwanted calls, though. Robocalls remain rampant, although the FCC has taken measures to cut down on them(Opens in a new window). While you wait for real results, here are some other steps you can take to reduce your phone ringing off the hook.
Operating Systems
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Whether you’re trying to get rid of spam or avoid hearing from a former friend or ex, blocking someone’s phone number is a vital tool for helping to preserve your privacy. We’ve covered various methods of protecting yourself from robocalls, spam, and other daily annoyances. But blocking a number is often the quickest and easiest way of shutting down unwanted digital intrusions.
When you block a number, you’ll no longer receive phone calls, texts, or FaceTime requests that come in from the blocked number. The person at the other end will go straight to voicemail whenever they call you, but this is their only clue that they’ve been blocked. Texts will still appear to go through as normal — even though you don’t have to deal with them.
Blocked numbers are still able to leave voicemails, but these won’t be shown in the standard visual voicemail list. Instead, they’re separated into a “blocked messages” section that you can choose to ignore completely.
On an iPhone, there are multiple methods for blocking a number, but I’m going to cover the two apps where you’d most often want to do so.
How to block a number from the iPhone’s Phone app
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap on the Recents tab.
- When you see the number you wish to block, tap the encircled i on the right side of the screen.
- At the bottom of the next screen, you’ll see the option to Block this Caller. Tap on that, and the number will be unable to reach you.
How to block a number from the iPhone’s Messages app
If someone is annoying you via text (or you want to cross off another source of spam), it’s easy to block a number directly from Apple’s Messages app.
- Tap the sender’s information at the top center of the conversation.
- Then tap on Info.
- Again, at the bottom of this page, you’ll see the option to Block this Caller in red text.
Related
- How to block and report text spam
- How to stop annoying robocalls on your iPhone or Android phone
How to unblock a number on an iPhone
If you want to restore someone’s ability to reach you, it’s easy to remove any number from your blocked list.
- Open the Settings app.
- Then tap on Phone.
- Select Blocked Contacts.
- On the next screen, you’ll see a list of numbers you’ve blocked. There are two ways to remove one. You can either tap the Edit option and then the red minus symbol next to the number you wish to unblock, or, as a faster alternative, you can swipe left across any number to unblock it.
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