Block Text Messages on an iPhone

This article teaches you how to block text messages from anyone on your contacts list or from an unknown phone number.

10 Second Summary

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Tap a conversation from a number to block.
  3. Tap the i icon.
  4. Tap the name or number of the sender.
  5. Tap Block this Caller.
  6. Tap Block Contact.

Steps

Blocking Texts from Contacts or Recognized Numbers

  1. Open the Messages app. It has an icon with a white talk bubble and is located on the Home Screen.
  2. Tap on a text from a person you want to block. You can block any contact or number that has sent you a text.
  3. Tap the i icon in the upper-right corner. This will display the details for that text conversation.
  4. Tap the name or number of the sender. This will open the contact information screen.
  5. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
  6. Tap Block Contact. This will add the contact or number to your iPhone's block list. Any future messages from that number will not be received, and the sender will not be informed that they are blocked.[1]
    • If you need to remove a number or contact from your block list, go to Settings → Tap Messages → Tap Blocked → Tap Edit → Tap the - button next to a contact or number from the list to unblock them.

Filtering iMessages from Unfamiliar Numbers

  1. Open your iPhone’s Settings. The icon will appear as a set of grey gears located on the Home Screen.
  2. Scroll down and tap Messages. It is located in the fifth set of menu options.
  3. Switch the white Filter Unknown Senders slider to the “on” position. The slider will turn green. Your iPhone will now separate messages that come from senders not on your contacts list to a separate tab in the Messages app.
    • In the Messages app, you'll see new tabs at the top: "Contacts & SMS" and "Unknown Senders." You will not be notified of messages that go into the Unknown Senders tab.[2]

Turning Off Cellular Data

  1. Open your iPhone’s Settings. The icon will appear as a set of grey gears located on the Home Screen.
  2. Scroll down and tap Cellular. It is located in the first set of menu options.
    • The button will be labeled Mobile Data for British users.
  3. Switch the green Cellular Data slider to the “off” position. The slider will turn white, indicating that the iPhone will no longer use cellular data. It will be impossible to send or receive text messages using your cell phone plan.
    • Disabling Cellular Data will also prevent you from receiving voice mail messages or using the personal hotspot function.

Tips

  • Contact your carrier if you are being harassed. You'll have much better success blocking harassing texts from unknown numbers if you contact your carrier, as they have access to more powerful blocking tools.

Warnings

  • It is not possible to block all texts except accepted numbers. You can only block specific contacts and numbers that have texted you first.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.ubergizmo.com/how-to/block-sms-iphone/
  2. ↑ http://www.imore.com/how-filter-and-disable-notifications-imessages-unknown-sendersM
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