You can block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your device. You can also filter iMessages from unknown senders and report iMessages that look like spam or junk.
Block a phone number, contact, or email
There are a few ways that you can block phone numbers, contacts, and emails.
Phone
From the Phone app, tap Recents, then tap the Info button
FaceTime
From the FaceTime app, tap the Info button
Messages
From the Messages app, open the conversation, tap the contact at the top of the conversation. Tap the info
From the Mail app, open the email that has the contact that you want to block, then tap the contact at the top. Tap Block this Contact.
When you block a phone number or contact, they can still leave a voicemail, but you won't get a notification. Messages that are sent or received won't be delivered. Also, the contact won't get a notification that the call or message was blocked. When you block an email address from Mail, it goes to the trash folder. Email blocking works across all your Apple devices.
You can also enable settings to block spam phone calls.
Manage your blocked phone numbers, contacts, and emails
To see the phone numbers, contacts, and email addresses that you've blocked from Phone, FaceTime, Messages, or Mail:
Phone
Go to Settings > Phone and tap Blocked Contacts to see the list.
FaceTime
Go to Settings > FaceTime. Under Calls, tap Blocked Contacts.
Messages
Go to Settings > Messages. Under SMS/MMS, tap Blocked Contacts.
Go to Settings > Mail. Under Threading, tap Blocked.
Filter messages from unknown senders
You can filter messages from people who aren't saved in your Contacts.
To filter messages, go to Settings > Messages, scroll down and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
In Messages, tap
Report spam or junk in the Messages app
You can report iMessages that look like spam or junk from the Messages app. If you get an iMessage from someone who's not saved in your Contacts, you'll see a Report Junk link under the message.
Tap Report Junk, then tap Delete and Report Junk. Messages will forward the sender's information and the message to Apple, as well as delete the message from your device. You can't undo deleting a message.
Reporting junk doesn't block the sender from being able to send another message. If you don't want to receive these messages, you need to block the contact.
To report SMS and MMS messages, contact your carrier.
Published Date: September 20, 2021
Updated on October 8, 2022 Ready to take their call again?
What to Know
This article explains how to unblock a contact on the iPhone and iPad. Instructions apply to iOS 11 and up (and iPadOS 13 and up). The exact menu names may be slightly different for different OS versions, but the basic steps still apply.
How to Unblock a Number on iPhone or iPad
If you previously blocked a number on your iPhone or iPad, here's how to unblock the number so that the contact can call, text, and FaceTime you again:
Tap Settings > Phone. On an iPad, which doesn't use the Phone app, tap Settings > FaceTime.
Tap Blocked Contacts (on older versions of the OS, tap Call Blocking & Identification).
In the Blocked Contacts list, swipe right to left across the number, then tap Unblock.
How to Unblock People Who Text You
If you blocked someone in Messages to prevent the person from text messaging you, you can unblock the number in Messages settings you they can text you again.
Open Settings and tap Messages.
Scroll down and tap Blocked Contacts (on older OSes, this is just Blocked).
Swipe right to left on the number you want to unblock and tap Unblock.
How to Unblock Callers in Your Contacts List
If the blocked number belongs to someone in your Contacts list, unblock the number from their listing in Contacts. Go to the Contacts app and find the person's entry. Tap it.
Then scroll to the bottom of the person's contact information and tap Unblock this Caller.
How to Unblock a Number With Your Phone Company
Using the call-blocking feature built into iPhone and iPad to block a contact is quick and straightforward, but it's not the only way to block numbers. Most phone companies offer a service—sometimes for a fee, sometimes free—that you can use to block phone numbers. If you've blocked phone numbers that way, the steps earlier in this article won't work for you. Those only apply to numbers blocked on your Apple device using the built-in features.
If you used your phone company's call-blocking service and want to unblock a number, call the phone company or try its online help or iPhone app (if there is one). The phone company can unblock the number for you.
FAQ
How can you tell if someone blocked your number on iPhone?
To find out if someone blocked you on your iPhone, ask them directly. If you're not comfortable with that, one indicator of being blocked is getting a single ring that goes to voicemail. This doesn't definitely mean you're blocked, however—the person may be on another call or the iPhone may be in Do Not Disturb mode.
How do you unblock someone on Facebook on an iPhone?
To unblock someone on Facebook using the Facebook app on your iPhone, go to Menu > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking. In the Blocked People section, find the person you want to unblock and select Unblock. Select Unblock again to confirm.
Thanks for letting us know!
Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day
Subscribe