How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking

Message Blocking lets you block unwanted messages to and from your phone.

On this page:

  • Manage Message Blocking
  • More about Message Blocking
  • Report spam text messages
  • Commercial Messages
  • Block messages from a specific number
  • Message Blocking Active error message
  • Questions?

Manage Message Blocking

Primary Account Holders can turn Message Blocking on or off on T-Mobile.com or through the T-Mobile app. You'll find the Message Blocking options near the bottom of the Blocking page that we link to directly below.

Set blocking options

More about Message Blocking

Messaging Blocking is meant only to block messages, not to prevent overages. With Message Blocking, you can:

  • Block Text and Picture Messages: Blocks all chargeable incoming and outgoing SMS and MMS messages.
  • Block Instant Messages sent via SMS: Blocks chargeable instant messages sent via SMS. If you select this service, you can't send or receive instant messages, even if you have a messaging bundle. This service may not block all instant messages. Charges include taxes and fees for customers on tax inclusive rate plans.

Messages not blocked with Message Blocking

  • Free messages from third-party providers sent to notify you of purchased content
  • Standard-rated messages from short codes
  • Voicemail notifications
  • Wireless Emergency Alerts
  • Service notifications
  • Email sent to and from your @tmomail.net address
  • Instant messages or email on Windows Mobile or BlackBerry devices

Report spam text messages

To report spam text messages, review the Text message spam page for details.

Commercial Messages

  • Commercial messages are text messages business send to their customers and come from two number types: 
    • Shortcode 4/5/6-digit sender number
    • Longcode 10-digit sender number
  • Businesses must have your permission to send you these types of messages.
  • These messages can include communications like: 
    • One-time PINs
    • Two-factor authentication (2FA)
    • Security codes
    • Promotional codes
    • Appointment reminders
    • Billing related messages
    • Messages with transportation and delivery services
    • Political messages
  • Review the Consumer versus Non-Consumer Text Messaging page for additional details. 

Block unwanted messages

If you feel you’re receiving messages from a business without your consent, here are the steps you can take to block specific numbers. 

  • First, reply to the message with: STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT
  • Then, if unwanted messages continue, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). Read more about suspicious messages on the Help with scams, spam, and fraud page. 
  • If you need additional support with blocking the specific sender number, or if unwanted messages persist, Contact us for additional support

Block messages from a specific number

To block messages from a specific number, add Family Allowances​ to your account. Family Allowances lets you to manage allowed numbers, minutes, messages, and downloads for all lines on your account.

Message Blocking Active error message

If you see a Message Blocking Active error when messaging, see Messaging and Email troubleshooting.

Questions?

Why did I receive a text saying I’m not getting important messages?

We noticed there’s a setting on your account which blocks all commercial SMS messages. These messages include communications like one-time PINs, security codes, promotional codes, appointment reminders, fraud alerts and more. We sent you a text to let you know we’ve removed this block so you can receive these important messages.

I’m getting a lot of these messages, and I don’t want to block these messages one at a time. Can’t I just block them all? What’s the risk if I do?

In order to ensure you receive important messages—including communications like one-time PINs, security codes, promotional codes, appointment reminders, fraud alerts and more—we do not recommend blocking all messages. You can reply to any unwanted messages with STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT. If unwanted messages continue, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM).

I’m not receiving security code texts from my bank. What’s the deal?

If you are not receiving important messages, a block may be be enabled on the number(s) that the specific business uses. Please contact customer Care to check whether a block was applied to your account.

The WhatsApp block feature can be very useful when you want to prevent a contact from sending you messages or other content. However, there may be times when all you want is to take a break from certain users. In these circumstances, blocking it is too drastic a solution. Is there a way to avoid receiving messages from a contact without going to that extreme?

A good solution for this problem can be found in the WhatsApp settings. If you want to access them, open the main menu and tap on Settings.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
Go to the app’s settings

Then, open the chats preferences to continue.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
View the chat options

Take a look at the list of parameters and locate Keep chats archived. Tap on the slider to enable this function.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
Keep chats archived

Now, go back to the conversation list and select a chat.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
Open a conversation with the contact

Tap on the name of the contact to see additional options.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
View the contact info

Mute the notifications of the contact by tapping on the toggle where you will see next to Mute notifications.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
Mute notifications for this contact

In the pop-up dialog, tell WhatsApp that you want to mute the user indefinitely and that you do not want their notifications to be displayed. Confirm when you have applied these settings.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
Remove notifications forever

Finally, long tap the conversation and tap on the archive button.

How to stop receiving messages on iphone without blocking
Archive the conversation to not view the messages

What did you get out of this? From this point on, the chats you archive will remain hidden even if they receive new messages. Also, since you have muted the notifications of the user, you will never know if they have written to you or not unless you visit the conversation archive. In following these steps, there are several things to keep in mind:

  1. The function that keeps chats archived applies to all conversations.
  2. Mute notifications is a setting that only applies to the selected contact.
  3. The other person will not know that you have archived the conversation or that you have muted notifications.

How do I temporarily turn off text messages on my iPhone?

iPhone - Muting Notifications from a Conversation. Launch the "Messages" app. iPhone users may place a single conversation in "do not disturb" mode. While this will prevent you from seeing notifications from the conversation, you will still receive the SMS text messages and be able to view them later.

How do you get someone to stop texting you without blocking them?

11+ Effective Ways to Get Someone to Stop Texting You (Without Being Rude).
Block them..
Ignore them..
Tell them you're busy..
Make an excuse..
Reply with an error message..
Confront them..
Change your number if you're being harassed..
Contact the police if you feel unsafe..

How do I stop incoming text messages?

How to block text messages on Android.
Start the Messages app and tap a message that you want to block..
Tap the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen..
In the drop-down menu, choose "Details.".
On the Details page, tap "Block & report spam.".