How To Block A Number On Apple's IPhone - The Verge

Home » What Happens When You Block A Number On An Iphone » How To Block A Number On Apple's IPhone - The Verge

Maybe your like

Skip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.
    The VergeThe Verge logo.
  • Tech
  • Reviews
  • Science
  • Entertainment
  • AI
  • Shopping
  • Hamburger Navigation Button
The homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.
  • Login / Sign Up
closeCloseSearch
  • TechExpand
    • Amazon
    • Apple
    • Facebook
    • Google
    • Microsoft
    • Samsung
    • Business
    • See all tech
  • GadgetsExpand
    • Laptops
    • Phones
    • TVs
    • Headphones
    • Speakers
    • Wearables
    • See all gadgets
  • ReviewsExpand
    • Smart Home Reviews
    • Phone Reviews
    • Tablet Reviews
    • Headphone Reviews
    • See all reviews
  • AIExpand
    • OpenAI
    • Anthropic
    • See all AI
  • Verge ShoppingExpand
    • Buying Guides
    • Deals
    • Gift Guides
    • See all shopping
  • PolicyExpand
    • Antitrust
    • Politics
    • Law
    • Security
    • See all policy
  • ScienceExpand
    • Space
    • Energy
    • Environment
    • Health
    • See all science
  • EntertainmentExpand
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Audio
    • See all entertainment
  • GamingExpand
    • Xbox
    • PlayStation
    • Nintendo
    • See all gaming
  • StreamingExpand
    • Disney
    • HBO
    • Netflix
    • YouTube
    • Creators
    • See all streaming
  • TransportationExpand
    • Electric Cars
    • Autonomous Cars
    • Ride-sharing
    • Scooters
    • See all transportation
  • Features
  • Verge VideoExpand
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • PodcastsExpand
    • Decoder
    • The Vergecast
    • Version History
  • NewslettersExpand
    • The Verge Daily
    • Installer
    • Verge Deals
    • Notepad
    • Optimizer
    • Regulator
    • The Stepback
  • Archives
  • Store
Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Threads
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • RSS
The VergeThe Verge logo.How to block a number on Apple’s iPhoneComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...
  • TechClose

    Tech

    Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All Tech

  • AppleClose

    Apple

    Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All Apple

  • How toClose

    How to

    Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All How to

How to block a number on Apple’s iPhone

Sometimes the easiest option is the best way to avoid unwanted communication

Sometimes the easiest option is the best way to avoid unwanted communication

by CloseChris Welch

Chris Welch

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

FollowFollow

See All by Chris Welch

May 3, 2022, 6:00 PM UTC
  • Link
  • Share
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is huge, but it has the best camera system on a smartphoneThe iPhone 12 Pro Max is huge, but it has the best camera system on a smartphonePhoto by Becca Farsace / The VergePart OfThe Verge Guide to the iPhonesee all Chris WelchCloseChris Welch

Chris Welch

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

FollowFollow

See All by Chris Welch

is a former senior reviewer who worked at The Verge from 2011 until May 2025. His coverage areas included audio, home theater, smartphones, and more.

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.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
  • CloseChris Welch

    Chris Welch

    Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All by Chris Welch

  • AppleClose

    Apple

    Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All Apple

  • How toClose

    How to

    Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All How to

  • iPhoneClose

    iPhone

    Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All iPhone

  • TechClose

    Tech

    Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.

    FollowFollow

    See All Tech

More In The Verge Guide to the iPhone

See allHow to customize your iPhone’s app iconsHow to customize your iPhone’s app iconsHow to customize your iPhone’s app iconsBarbara KrasnoffOct 10, 2024How to use iOS’s Live Text featureHow to use iOS’s Live Text featureHow to use iOS’s Live Text featureBarbara Krasnoff and Chaim GartenbergAug 30, 2024How to change the alert sounds on your iPhoneHow to change the alert sounds on your iPhoneHow to change the alert sounds on your iPhoneAllison JohnsonOct 12, 2023

Most Popular

Most Popular
  1. Killing in the name of… nothing
  2. The 11 best Nintendo Switch 2 games we played in 2025
  3. You can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of Instagram
  4. The Canon EOS R6 Mark III is great, but this lens is amazing
  5. GameSir put a tiny force feedback steering wheel on its new Swift Drive controller

The Verge Daily

A free daily digest of the news that matters most.

Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Advertiser Content FromSponsor Logo

This is the title for the native ad

Sponsor thumbnail

More in Tech

You can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of InstagramYou can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of InstagramNet neutrality was back, until it wasn’tNet neutrality was back, until it wasn’tLeaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera islandLeaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera islandThe Dreame X40 Ultra robovac is about $700 off, nearly matching its best priceThe Dreame X40 Ultra robovac is about $700 off, nearly matching its best priceTwo cybersecurity employees plead guilty to carrying out ransomware attacksTwo cybersecurity employees plead guilty to carrying out ransomware attacksGameSir put a tiny force feedback steering wheel on its new Swift Drive controllerGameSir put a tiny force feedback steering wheel on its new Swift Drive controllerYou can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of InstagramYou can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of InstagramYou can’t trust your eyes to tell you what’s real anymore, says the head of InstagramRichard LawlerDec 31, 2025Net neutrality was back, until it wasn’tNet neutrality was back, until it wasn’tNet neutrality was back, until it wasn’tStevie BonifieldDec 31, 2025Leaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera islandLeaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera islandLeaked video shows the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s new camera islandJustine CalmaDec 31, 2025The Dreame X40 Ultra robovac is about $700 off, nearly matching its best priceThe Dreame X40 Ultra robovac is about $700 off, nearly matching its best priceThe Dreame X40 Ultra robovac is about $700 off, nearly matching its best priceSheena VasaniDec 31, 2025Two cybersecurity employees plead guilty to carrying out ransomware attacksTwo cybersecurity employees plead guilty to carrying out ransomware attacksTwo cybersecurity employees plead guilty to carrying out ransomware attacksEmma RothDec 30, 2025GameSir put a tiny force feedback steering wheel on its new Swift Drive controllerGameSir put a tiny force feedback steering wheel on its new Swift Drive controllerGameSir put a tiny force feedback steering wheel on its new Swift Drive controllerAndrew LiszewskiDec 30, 2025Advertiser Content FromSponsor Logo

This is the title for the native ad

Top Stories

Jan 1Meet the new tech laws of 2026Dec 31, 2025The year politics became brainrotDec 31, 2025Net neutrality was back, until it wasn’tDec 30, 2025The Canon EOS R6 Mark III is great, but this lens is amazingDec 30, 2025This smart garden turned my black thumb greenDec 17, 2025The Verge’s 2025 in review

Tag » What Happens When You Block A Number On An Iphone