How to Block Text Messages on iPhone

Block someone on Messages

Open Messages on iPhone. Tap the Messages app icon, which looks like a white speech bubble on a green background.

This method is great for blocking future messages from anyone, whether in your contacts or not. If you want to block a contact before they can message you, use the next method.

If this number has already called you, you can block it by opening the Phone app , tapping the Recents tab , and then skipping the next step.

Select a message. Tap the message from the person you want to block. You can block any contact or phone number that messages you.

If Messenger opens to a conversation, tap the "Back" button in the upper left corner of the screen to close the conversation.

Click the ⓘ button in the upper left corner of the screen. Details of the conversation will appear.

Tap the sender's name or phone number. The contact information screen opens.

Scroll down and tap Block this Caller . The option is at the bottom of the details list.

Tap Block Contact when it appears. This contact or phone number will be added to the blacklist on iPhone. All future messages from them will not be sent to you, nor will the sender be notified that they have been blocked.

If you need to remove a phone number or contact from the blacklist, go to Settings → Tap Messages → Select Blocked → Tap Edit → Tap the - next to the contact/number phone in the list to unblock them.

Block contacts in Settings

Open Settings on iPhone. Click on the gear-shaped application icon located in the gray frame.

This method is ideal if you want to block someone on your contacts before they have a chance to text you, but it doesn't work with unknown numbers. If you want to block random phone numbers, use the first method.

Scroll down and tap Messages . The option is located in the bottom half of the Settings page.

Scroll down and tap Blocked . The option is in the middle of the page, under the "SMS/MMS" heading.

Scroll down and tap Add New… (Add new). The task is at the bottom of the list of blocked numbers.

If you haven't blocked any numbers yet, there's no need to scroll down.

Select a contact. Scroll through your contact list until you find the person you want to block, then tap their name. So this person will be added to the blocked list.

Filter iMessages from unknown numbers

Open Settings on iPhone. Click the gear app icon on the gray frame.

Scroll down and tap Messages . This is the fifth item in the options menu.

Scroll down and tap the white "Filter Unknown Senders" button. The switch will turn green. iPhone will separate messages from senders other than contacts into a separate tab in the Messages app.

On the Messages app, you'll see new tabs at the top: Contacts & SMS and Unknown Senders . Messages going to the Unknown Senders tab will not show notifications.

Marvin Fry

Update 08 November 2023