2013 08 26 09 38 25  Phone iOS7 App Icon RoundedUnsolicited phone calls and messages can become a regular annoyance and even a cause of stress for many smartphone users these days. Thankfully, Apple provides features in iOS 11 that allow you to block nuisance calls and messages from the same number coming through to your phone, and in this article we're going to show you how to set them up.

Whether it's messages from a debt collector looking for the wrong person, a random number from a foreign country that keeps calling in the middle of the night, or just someone in your contacts that you'd rather not hear from again, following the steps below should stop them from bothering you.

How to Block a Recent Caller in iOS 11

If the number you want to block is a recent caller, follow these steps on your iPhone.

  1. Launch the Phone app.

  2. Tap Recents.
    block phone call iphone

  3. Locate the number you want to block in the All or Missed calls list.

  4. Tap the information icon (the encircled lowercase "i") to the right of the number.

  5. Scroll down the Caller ID screen and tap Block this Caller.

How to Block a Number That Messages You

If you're the recipient of unwanted messages from a specific number, here's how to prevent them from coming through to your iPhone.

  1. Launch the Messages app.

  2. Navigate to the main messages list if necessary, and tap a message received from the number you want to block.
    block messages iphone ios11 800x862

  3. Tap the information icon (the encircled lowercase "i") at the upper right of the message window.

  4. At the top of the Details screen, tap the name of the contact or the associated phone number.
    block messages iphone 2

  5. Scroll down the Caller ID screen if necessary and tap Block this Caller.

How to Block a Number in FaceTime

If you received a FaceTime call from a number that you want to block, follow these steps.

  1. Launch the FaceTime app.

  2. Tap either the Video or Audio button, depending on the type of FaceTime call you received from the caller you want to block.
    block facetime call iphone

  3. Locate the unwanted call you received in the list and tap the information icon (the encircled lowercase "i") next to it.

  4. Scroll down the Caller ID screen if necessary and tap Block this Caller.

How to Manage Blocked Contacts on iPhone

Follow these steps to add or remove a contact from your blocked list of numbers.

  1. Launch the Settings app.

  2. Tap Phone in the list.

  3. Tap Call Blocking & Identification.
    manage blocked numbers iphone

  4. To remove a contact from your blocked list, tap Edit in the upper right corner of the screen, tap the red minus button that appears next to the contact(s) you want to remove, and then tap Done.

  5. To add a contact to your blocked list, tap Block Contact... and select the contact from your Contacts list. All of the numbers in the contact card you select will be added to your blocked list.

Note that you can also access and manage your blocked contacts list in the Settings app via Messages -> Blocked and FaceTime -> Blocked.

Try a Third-Party Blocking Solution

If you're inundated with spam calls from different numbers on a regular basis, then consider one of the many third-party blocking solutions available from the App Store: Several apps like Hiya and TrueCaller use an implementation of Apple's CallKit to identify and block suspect numbers before your phone even rings.

After installing one of these apps, you can manage their call permissions at any time from within the Settings app, by tapping Phone and selecting Call Blocking & Information.

Related Forum: iOS 11

Top Rated Comments

JungeQuex Avatar
79 months ago
What we need is a solution to block “unknown” and “no caller ID” numbers. I realize that people have the right to block their number during a call, but I also have a right to block their unsolicited harassment.
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0815 Avatar
79 months ago
Problem is that some spammers are avoiding this by auto generating numbers, often similar to mine - only the last four digits are random, the first six are the same. Happens to my friends too that they get calls matching their numbers. Guess they try to pretend to be from your neighborhood... well I’m no longer picking those numbers up, still annoying ... but people I care about are in my contacts everyone else can leave a voicemail

Spammer, telemarketing,.... etc suck and they don’t care about the do not call list.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BeyondtheTech Avatar
79 months ago
No, Apple. I don’t want a blacklist feature. Considering my blocked callers list has grown into an unwieldly list of numbers that’s hard to sort, manipulate and maintain, I just want a whitelist feature.

If you’re not in my Contacts, I don’t want my iPhone to ring. Period.

We are just too connected in this world. If I can make my Facebook and Twitter accounts private and only allow access by invite, my phone number should work the same way.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SurferPup Avatar
79 months ago
What I found is working for me when I receive e-mail spam, ('https://www.aussiebum.com/members/favourites')is to sign them up to pornographic websites. One idiot was stupid enough to SMS spam his name and phone number to me so I signed him up to a porn site, created a story he was seeking group BBW hookups and contact him on his phone number. I encourage everyone to return the spam favours - they are people too who just need some anonymous love not your money.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
79 months ago
I wish there was a more sophisticated system of blocking robo-calls then blocking the onsey-twosey.

I understand there are apps that advertsise to do that, most seem to require a subscription which I'm not about to do.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
79 months ago
To temporarily block calls
That’s not going to stop scam calls from using local “Spoofed” numbers that will appear to be legitimate, when in fact they are not. I would really like to see cell carriers implement something in the future that can prohibit scammers from doing this. The Problem is, is scamming is so dynamic that’s changing all the time and once one remedy is issued to stop scam calls, there is another form of a new scam. Its a vicious cycle that never stops unfortunately. The most unfortunate part, is there victims every day who fall for scams.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

reset password request iphone

Warning: Apple Users Targeted in Phishing Attack Involving Rapid Password Reset Requests

Tuesday March 26, 2024 4:34 pm PDT by
Phishing attacks taking advantage of Apple's password reset feature have become increasingly common, according to a report from KrebsOnSecurity. Multiple Apple users have been targeted in an attack that bombards them with an endless stream of notifications or multi-factor authentication (MFA) messages in an attempt to cause panic so they'll respond favorably to social engineering. An...
iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1

Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

Sunday March 24, 2024 1:33 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
iPad Pro 2024 Landscape Camera Feature

New iPad Pro Again Rumored to Feature Landscape Front-Facing Camera

Monday March 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
sonoma desktop wwdc

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 With Fix for USB Hub Bug

Monday March 25, 2024 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The ‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌ 14.4‌.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Purple

iOS 18 Will Finally Bring This Android Feature to iPhone

Monday March 25, 2024 6:42 am PDT by
iOS 18 will allow iPhone users to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, according to sources familiar with development of the software update. This basic feature has long been available on Android smartphones. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, our sources said that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18....
maxresdefault

Apple Announces WWDC 2024 Event for June 10 to 14

Tuesday March 26, 2024 10:02 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its 35th annual Worldwide Developers Conference is set to take place from Monday, June 10 to Friday, June 14. As with WWDC events since 2020, WWDC 2024 will be an online event that is open to all developers at no cost. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. WWDC 2024 will include online sessions and labs so that developers can learn about new...
iphone reasons to upgrade

Apple Outlines 'Reasons to Upgrade' Your iPhone on New Website

Monday March 25, 2024 12:53 pm PDT by
Apple today added a "Why Upgrade" section to its website, which is aimed at encouraging customers with older iPhones to upgrade to a newer model. The website allows customers to compare the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max to the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max. Each comparison shows what new features someone with an older...
apple maps 3d feature

Apple Maps May Gain Custom Routes With iOS 18

Tuesday March 26, 2024 3:10 pm PDT by
Apple may be planning to add support for "custom routes" in Apple Maps in iOS 18, according to code reviewed by MacRumors. Apple Maps does not currently offer a way to input self-selected routes, with Maps users limited to Apple's pre-selected options, but that may change in iOS 18. Apple has pushed an iOS 18 file to its maps backend labeled "CustomRouteCreation." While not much is revealed...