How to block a number from texting you on iPhone

• You can block text messages on your iPhone from any number that you don't want sending you messages.
• Blocked numbers will still be able to text you on their end, but you won't receive their messages or calls.
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There's nothing worse than receiving unwanted text messages. Whether they're from businesses spamming you with "special offers" or an ex who just refuses to give you space and move on, it's tiresome and obnoxious to continually see these messages pouring in. 

Thankfully, the iPhone allows you to block text messages from any number on your device in a few simple steps. 

You can block contacts already stored in your phone from contacting you or block unknown numbers not stored on your device. When blocked, the owner of that phone number won't be able to text or call you, though they won't be informed that they've been blocked. 

Here's how to block messages on your iPhone.

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How to block text messages on your iPhone

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone. 

2. Open the text message from the number or contact you wish you block.

3. Tap the number or contact at the top of the message, then click the small info button.

4. On the Details screen, tap the right facing arrow next to the name, phone number, or address which texted you.

5. Tap "Block this Caller."

6. From the pop-up that appears, tap "Block Contact" again to confirm.

How to unblock a number on your iPhone

1. Note, that you can see and edit your blocked contacts at any time by opening the Settings app from your iPhone's home screen, then tapping Messages. 

2. Next, tap "Blocked Contacts" under the SMS/MMS section. 

3. You can remove a contact or number from the blocked list by swiping left, then tapping "Unblock."

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Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. She has bylines in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Decider, Mic, and many more. You can find her on Twitter at @jenniferlstill.

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Whether it’s someone you know, someone you don’t, someone you’d like to forget, or just spam, unwanted text messages can be a drag. Follow along for how to block texts on iPhone.

Just like with email, it can be easy to get in the habit of deleting text messages from unwanted senders instead of unsubscribing blocking them. However, it doesn’t take more than a few seconds to prevent future headaches and wasted time.

Note that once you block texts from a certain number, it will also block regular calls and FaceTime calls too. Below we’ll look at how to block text messages on iPhone in iOS 15 and 14 as well as iOS 13 since the process has changed over the years.

One thing to keep in mind, while it works to prevent future spam or texts from a given number by blocking it with the process below, spam/bots that use new numbers can still make it through to you.

How to block texts on iPhone

1. Tap on a message from a number you’d like to block in the Messages app
2. Tap the contact icon just above the number at the top
3. Choose info near the top right
4. In iOS 15 and 14, tap info again
   • In iOS 13 tap the arrow to the right of the number
5. Toward the bottom of your screen tap Block this Caller

Here’s how this looks in iOS 15 and 14:

Here’s how it looks in iOS 13:

How to manage blocked numbers on iPhone

1. On your iPhone, head to the Settings app
2. Swipe down and tap Phone
3. Swipe down again and choose Blocked Contacts
4. You’ll see the full list of numbers you’ve blocked (includes texts and calls)
5. Tap Edit in the top right corner to unblock a number by removing it, tap Done when finished
   • You can also swipe from right to left to unblock a number

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About the Author

Michael Potuck

@michaelpotuck

Michael is an editor for 9to5Mac. Since joining in 2016 he has written more than 3,000 articles including breaking news, reviews, and detailed comparisons and tutorials.

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