Tech Reference

How to block text messages on your iPhone and filter out messages from unknown senders

Written by Jennifer Still and Kyle Wilson
apple imessage
You can block texts on your iPhone or filter out messages from unknown senders. Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images
Updated
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Your 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 or unknown numbers not stored on your device. 

When blocked, the owner of that phone number won't be able to successfully text or call you, and they won't be informed that they've been blocked.

Here's how to block messages on your iPhone.

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.

iMessage with a hot pink box highlighting the Info button.
Tap the "i" icon.  Jennifer Still/Insider

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

iMessage contact Details tab with a hot pink arrow pointing to a pink box surrounding an arrow button.
Next, tap the arrow.  Jennifer Still/Insider

5. Tap Block this Caller.

iMessage contacts pane with the Block this Caller button highlighted in a hot pink box.
Tap "Block this Caller" to stop receiving messages and calls from this number.  Jennifer Still/Insider

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

iMessage block confirmation pane with the Block Contact button highlighted by a hot pink box.
Tap "Block Contact."  Jennifer Still/Insider

How to unblock a number on your iPhone

1. Open the Settings app from your iPhone's home screen, then tap Messages.

2. Tap Blocked Contacts under the SMS/MMS section.

Messages setting screen with the Block Contacts option highlighted by a hot pink box.
All of the numbers and contact you've blocked will be in this tab.  Jennifer Still/Insider

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

How to filter messages from unknown senders 

1. Open Settings and then tap Messages.

2. Scroll down and tap on Unknown & Spam.

Messages settings with the Unknown & Spam button highlighted by a bright pink box.
Tap on Unknown & Spam under the Message Filtering heading.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

3. Enable Filter Unknown Senders.

Unknown & Spam setting screen with the Filter Unknown Senders option enabled.
Turn on the toggle.  Kyle Wilson/Insider

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jennifer still.JPG
Jennifer Still
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.
Kyle Wilson
Kyle Wilson
Kyle Wilson is a contributor to the Tech vertical on Business Insider's Reviews team, based in British Columbia, Canada. His work has also appeared in publications like The Verge, Vice, Kotaku, and more. He periodically guest co-hosts the Saturday tech show "Tech Talk" on the iHeartRadio station C-FAX 1070.Feel free to reach out to him on Twitter, where he can be found most of the time, @KWilsonMG.