By ShowMeStepByStepPublished Updated
Based on a video by DHTV.
Spam and scam calls are relentless, and the same number often calls back again and again. The good news: once you block a number on your iPhone, you stop getting calls, texts, and FaceTime from it. This guide, based on a clear walkthrough from DHTV, shows you the fast way to block right from your call history, plus where Apple keeps your blocked list so you can manage it.
The screens here are from an iPhone 12, but the steps are the same on every recent iPhone. You will also see how to add a contact to the block list on purpose and how to unblock someone if you change your mind, so nothing is permanent.
Open the green Phone app from your home screen and tap Recents at the bottom. This is your call history, where every recent caller is listed.
Scroll until you find the number you want to block. It works the same whether the caller is saved as a contact or shows up as just a phone number.
To the right of the number, tap the blue circled 'i' info button. That opens a details page for that caller with their number up top and a list of options below.
This is the same info screen you would use to save a contact or share a number, so do not worry if you have never opened it before.
Scroll to the bottom of that page and tap 'Block this Caller,' shown in red. A prompt warns that you will not receive phone calls, messages, or FaceTime from anyone on your block list. Tap 'Block Contact' to confirm.
That is it, the number is blocked. Calls from it now go straight to voicemail and you will not see their texts.
To see everyone you have blocked, open Settings and scroll down to Phone. Tap it, then scroll down and tap 'Blocked Contacts.'
This is the master list of every number and contact blocked on this iPhone. It is worth checking now and then so you remember who is on it.
You do not have to wait for someone to call to block them. On that Blocked Contacts screen, tap 'Add New' at the bottom. Your contact list opens.
Tap any contact and they are added to the block list right away. This is handy when someone has been bothering you and you would rather block them before the next call.
Blocking is never permanent. On the Blocked Contacts screen, tap 'Edit' in the top right. A red minus button appears next to every entry.
Tap the red minus next to the number you want to free up, then tap 'Unblock' to confirm. They can reach you again right away. Tap 'Done' when you are finished.
Tip
If you get a lot of spam from numbers that are never the same twice, turn on Settings, Phone, 'Silence Unknown Callers.' It sends anyone not in your contacts straight to voicemail without you blocking each one.
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Quick reference
5 questions, answers, and one-line explanations. Tap to expand.
1.In the Phone app, where do you start to block a recent caller?
Answer: Tap Recents to open your call history
Recents lists every recent caller, saved or not, so you can block straight from there.
2.After tapping the blue (i) info button, what do you look for?
Answer: 'Block this Caller' in red at the bottom
'Block this Caller' sits in red at the bottom of the caller's info screen.
3.What does blocking a contact actually stop?
Answer: Calls, messages, and FaceTime from them
The block prompt warns you'll get no calls, messages, or FaceTime from blocked numbers.
4.Where can you see everyone you've blocked?
Answer: Settings, then Phone, then Blocked Contacts
The master block list lives under Settings, Phone, Blocked Contacts.
5.How do you unblock a number later?
Answer: Tap Edit, then the red minus, then Unblock
On the Blocked Contacts screen, Edit reveals a red minus to unblock anyone.
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