Jun 27, 2023
How Can I Block That Call? - iPhone
Reading time: 5 minutes
You can block any call with call blocking.
There are few things more annoying than scam calls. You know, the sales calls and spam calls that come in at the most inconvenient times. Like when you’re just sitting down to dinner or giving your grandchild a bath.
Telemarketers pushing life insurance, or a timeshare could care less when they call, and these unwanted calls are nothing but intrusive and annoying.
That's where call blocking comes in. You can block phone numbers like these and doing so is easy.
In this post, PureTalk will give you lots of ways iPhone users can do this. (In a separate post we'll address call blocking for android phone users.) You can block unwanted spam calls, unwanted FaceTime calls, email messages, and block text messages. So, if you read nothing else today, read this. You’ll be glad you did.
Block Calls You Don't Recognize from Your Phone App
To utilize call blocking and block unwanted calls, open your phone app, tap the phone number and either scroll to the bottom to block the call, or tap the ellipsis icon and choose Block Number. Call blocking is that easy to use.
On a related note...
If you'd like to stop your phone number from being displayed when you make a call, you can utilize block caller ID.
To do so, according to the experts at Make Use Of, "Just put *67 before the number you want to call (it's 141 in the UK). Alternatively, permanently change the settings in the Phone app on your device or call up your service provider.”
Your number will appear as No Caller ID on the recipient's screen. If you'd like to utilize block caller ID more frequently, and not have to enter a code every time, go to the phone app and turn off Show My Caller ID. (You can do this in an Android device as well, but again, we'll get to that!)
Block Unwanted Text Messages
To block a caller from unwanted messages, from the Messages app on your cell phone, open the conversation. Next, tap the contact at the top of the conversation. Tap the Info button, scroll down, then tap Block this Caller. Now if you don't want to hear from someone via text message, you won't!
Blocking Calls from Facetime
If you want to block unwanted FaceTime calls, from the FaceTime app on your cell phone, tap the Info button next to the phone number, contact, or email address that you want to block. Scroll down, then tap Block this Caller.
Block Unwanted Email
To block unwanted email, from the Mail app, open the email that has the contact that you want to block. Next, tap the contact at the top top right corner. Then tap Block this Contact.
Honestly, it all comes down to finding the Block this Caller option. Once you’ve done that, the caller is stopped, and the spam is dealt with. Of course, if you change your mind, you can go back at any time and unblock that caller.
Add a Phone Number or Email Address to Your Blocked Contacts
You may not know the person who’s calling or emailing you, but you can capture their information and you block calls from them just the same.
To add a phone number to your list of unwanted callers and stop someone who's calling you, open your phone app and go to: Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts > Add New.
To add an email address to your list of unwanted contacts list, open your phone app and go to Settings > Mail > Blocked > Add New.
Select the contact that you want to block.
Here’s what happens when you block a number
According to Apple Support, “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.”
In addition, when you block a number or an email address from Mail, any message sent from that address goes directly into your Trash folder and if visual voicemail is on, those you don't want to hear from cannot leave voicemails.
How to manage your blocked contacts
Now and again, you might want to check and see if you did indeed block calls from a certain phone number or contact. To review that information, follow these instructions:
Phone
Go to Settings > Phone and Blocked Contacts to see the list of blocked numbers.
Messages
Go to Settings > Messages. Under SMS/MMS, tap Blocked Contacts.
FaceTime
Go to Settings > FaceTime. Under Calls, tap Blocked Contacts.
Go to Settings > Mail. Under Threading, tap Blocked.
Head ‘em off at the pass:
Using "Silence Unknown Callers" to detect and block spam phone calls
If your phone has iOS 13 or later, you can turn on a feature called Silence Unknown Callers and block calls from unknown numbers (like those telemarketers we talked about earlier!). Using Silence Unknow Callers will also block specific numbers or phone numbers you’ve never connected or communicated with and stops you from getting unwanted incoming calls. But, if you’ve texted with someone or they’ve given you their phone number in an email, you cannot block that number and an incoming call from that person (number) will go through.
How to turn on Silence Unknown Callers
On your phone app, go to Settings > Phone, and then scroll down. Tap Silence Unknown Callers.
This turns the feature on (you can always toggle it off) and calls from unknown phone numbers are then silenced and sent to your voicemail. These calls will also appear in your recent calls list.
Two things to note:
1. If you place an emergency phone call to 911, the Silence Unknown Callers feature will be disabled for the following 24 hours so your device or iPhone can be reached by emergency personnel.
2. Before you turn on the Silence Unknown Callers feature, make sure you have important contacts saved. If you don’t check, a call from that contact will still go to voicemail and appear in your recent calls list, but your cell phone won’t ring when that contact calls.
If you think blocking unwanted calls is easy, so is making the call to switch to PureTalk!
We think it’s nicer and far less intrusive to tell you about PureTalk and our 100% Money Back Guarantee in a blog post you’ve chosen to read rather than calling you during dinner time.
We get it. We’re people too.
And we all know how frustrating it can be to make a big purchase and then realize you made the wrong choice. What a hassle. If you ordered something online, you need to pack it up and send it back. If you purchased something from a store like Target, for instance, well you’re most likely stuck with it because almost nobody makes it back before the refund window closes.
At PureTalk, we get it. We know that choosing a wireless provider is a big purchase. That’s why we make it easy to change your mind with just a phone call.
PureTalk’s 100% Risk Free Money Back Guarantee
When you switch to PureTalk, we give you 30 days to test us out. We’re certain you’ll love our service and our savings. With plans as low as $20 a month, PureTalk gives you talk, text and blazing fast data. Plus, switching to PureTalk saves the average family of four $75 a month for a total of $900 a year. (To say nothing of how much seniors save!) But if you should decide we’re not for you, it’s ok. Just call us and request a full refund.
What our customers are saying:
I was hesitant to leave AT&T though my bill kept increasing. But my brother insisted I try PureTalk. From the first conversation I had, I knew the customer service was first rate. PureTalk employs knowledgeable, well-spoken people who are patient and kind. I am so happy with PureTalk! Lynellen Carmoney, 5-star review via Trustpilot
Make the switch without breaking a sweat
Like you, we work hard for our money, so we understand that if you spend it on something that doesn’t meet your needs, that’s a big problem. That’s why we developed our Money Back Guarantee, so you can make the switch without breaking a sweat. We’re confident you’ll love PureTalk, but if we’re wrong, just call us. Request a refund, and we’ll make things right.
Really. In addition to all the things PureTalk offers – great savings, blazing fast data, and freedom from contracts – we give you 30 days to see if we’re the right fit for you. You have until your next bill date, or until you’ve used 500 minutes or 500 MB of data usage, (whichever comes first), to contact customer service and request a refund.
Your satisfaction is guaranteed
We have total faith in our product and our people to deliver on PureTalk’s promise of excellent coverage and customer service. But we understand that sometimes things don’t work out. That’s why you can get a refund in two simple steps.
1.) Call us at 877-820-7873
2.) Cancel your service and request your refund
Earning your trust is important to us
The overpriced carriers don’t care if you’re worried about making a big change. They expect you to sign up with them simply because you know their name.
Not PureTalk.
Earning your trust is important to us. That’s why PureTalk’s Money Back Guarantee gives you 30 days to try us out. If we're not a good fit, call to request a full refund. Your money will be refunded to your credit or debit card within 2 weeks, no questions asked.
What our customers are saying:
Great service. Great price. Extremely helpful customer service. This company is the best mobile phone company I’ve ever had! Hank Smith, 5-star review via Trustpilot
Posted 10 months ago