Calendar iconOct 27, 2025

How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone (2026 Guide)

How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone (2026 Guide)

Reading time: 5 minutes

Unwanted calls and texts are more than annoying. They waste time, interrupt family moments, and can even be dangerous if they are scams.

The good news: your iPhone has powerful tools to block spam, silence unknown callers, and keep your inbox clean.

This guide walks you, step by step, through how to block calls, texts, FaceTime, and email on an iPhone in 2026, plus how to review and manage your blocked list.

What Call Blocking on iPhone Actually Does

When you block a phone number, contact, or email address on your iPhone:

  • Calls from that number go straight to voicemail
  • Your phone does not ring or vibrate
  • Text messages are blocked from your view
  • FaceTime calls from that contact are blocked
  • Blocked email can be sent directly to Trash if you choose

The caller or sender is not notified that you blocked them.

All of this is controlled in one shared “Blocked Contacts” list in Settings.

Fast Ways to Block a Number on iPhone

Block a Recent Call in the Phone App

Open the Phone app.

  1. Tap Recents.
  2. Find the number you want to block.
  3. Tap the info (i) icon next to it.
  4. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
  5. Tap Block Contact to confirm.

You can also block from an existing contact:

  1. Open the Phone or Contacts app.
  2. Tap the contact.
  3. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.

Block Text Messages in Messages

To block someone who is texting you:

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Open the conversation you want to block.
  3. Tap the name or number at the top of the screen.
  4. Tap the info (i) button.
  5. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
  6. Confirm by tapping Block Contact.

New texts from that number will no longer reach you.

Block FaceTime Calls

To stop unwanted FaceTime calls:

  1. Open the FaceTime app.
  2. Find the number, email, or contact in the list.
  3. Tap the info (i) button next to it.
  4. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
  5. Tap Block Contact to confirm.

This blocks both FaceTime audio and video calls from that contact.

Block Unwanted Email in Mail

If someone will not stop emailing you:

  1. Open the Mail app.
  2. Open an email from the sender you want to block.
  3. Tap the sender name at the top of the message.
  4. Tap again to open their contact card.
  5. Tap Block this Contact.

To decide what happens to blocked email:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap Mail.
  3. Tap Blocked Sender Options.

Choose Move to Trash or Leave in Inbox.

Add Numbers Directly to Your Blocked List

If you wrote down a spam number or already created a contact for it, you can add it straight to your blocked list.

From Phone Settings

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Phone.
  3. Tap Blocked Contacts.
  4. Tap Add New.

Choose the contact you want to block.

You can reach the same shared blocked list from:

  • Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts
  • Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts

Any contact you add here is blocked across Phone, Messages, and FaceTime.

What Happens When You Block Someone

When you block a number, email address, or contact:

Calls

  • Go to voicemail.
  • Your iPhone does not ring.
  • You see missed calls in Recents, but without alerts.

Messages

  • iMessages and SMS from that contact do not show up in Messages.

FaceTime

  • Calls are blocked and do not ring on your device.

Mail

  • Messages follow the rule you chose in Blocked Sender Options (for example, Move to Trash).

The person on the other end does not get a “blocked” message. Their calls and texts simply do not reach you in the usual way.

Use Silence Unknown Callers to Stop Spam

If you are tired of random numbers ringing your phone, Silence Unknown Callers is your best friend.

This feature sends calls from numbers that are not:

  • In your Contacts
  • In Recent outgoing calls
  • Found in Siri Suggestions (for example, numbers in emails or messages)

directly to voicemail. Your phone does not ring.

How to Turn On Silence Unknown Callers

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Phone.
  3. Scroll down and tap Silence Unknown Callers.
  4. Toggle it On.

Calls from saved contacts still ring as normal. Unknown numbers go straight to voicemail and appear in your Recents list.

Important: If you call emergency services, this feature is temporarily turned off for 24 hours so responders can reach you.

Before you enable it, add important people (doctor, kids’ school, employer, etc.) to Contacts so their calls are not silenced by mistake.

Review and Manage Your Blocked Contacts

You can see and edit your blocked list at any time.

Check Blocked Numbers in Phone

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Phone.
  3. Tap Blocked Contacts.

From here you can:

  • Swipe left on a contact and tap Unblock.
  • Tap Add New to block someone else.

Check Blocked Senders in Messages, FaceTime, and Mail

Messages

  • Go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts.

FaceTime

  • Go to Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts.

Mail

  • Go to Settings > Mail > Blocked.

All of these lists are linked, so changes in one place apply everywhere.

Extra Tips to Cut Down on Spam Calls

Blocking is great, but a few extra habits help too:

  • Do not answer calls from numbers you do not recognize.
  • Avoid pressing buttons or speaking to “agents” on obvious robocalls.
  • Register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry if you have not already.
  • Report obvious scam texts by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM) if your carrier supports it.

Block Spam Calls And Save On Your Wireless Bill

PureTalk helps you stop unwanted calls and save money at the same time.

With PureTalk you get:

  • Plans starting at $24.99 per month for unlimited talk and text and 7GB data
  • Service on America’s most reliable 5G network
  • Average savings of about $1,000 a year for a family of four that switches
  • 100 percent U.S. based customer support
  • 30 day, risk free, money back guarantee: If we are not the right fit, contact customer service before that point and request a refund of your plan charge. Love our service or your money back.

Posted 9 months ago