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)

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