How to block a text message on iOS and Android

Everyone needs to block a text message from time to time, whether it’s spam or just an annoying message.

After all, Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts in January of 2024 alone. 

Thankfully, you can block unwanted texts to make sure the person sending them can’t contact you again.

In this article, we’ll break down the steps you can take to block text messages on iOS and Android. You’ll also learn how to block texts your business is getting and how to make sure your customers never block you.

How to block a text message as an individual

You can block texts on your phone in its Messages app. Here’s how to keep things like spam and other irritating texts away from your inbox, whether you have an Android or an iPhone.

How to block texts on iOS

To block a text on iOS, go to the contact’s information in the Messages app. Here’s the step-by-step:

1. Open up the conversation containing the text you want to block.
2. Choose the phone number or contact name at the top of the conversation box.
3. Tap “info” on the right side under the name of the contact. 
4. You’ll see a few options. Find and click the one labeled “Block this Caller.”

You can see all the numbers you’ve blocked at any time by going to the Settings app on your phone and looking under Privacy & Security, then Blocked Contacts.

Blocking text messages on Android

The process for blocking messages on Android is (thankfully) very similar. Let’s break down the steps for blocking a text on the Messages app:

1. From the text conversation screen, click on the contact or number above the conversation.
2. Select Block & report spam.
3. Check the Report spam box if you’d like to report the text as spam, then tap Yes.

To see lists of your blocked contacts, just head to the Contacts app, click Organize, and select Blocked numbers.

How to block a text message as a business

If you have the ability to receive texts as a business, you’re inevitably going to get a few that you don’t want. 

You have a few options for blocking unwanted texts:

• If you’re using a texting app–whether it’s SimpleTexting or an alternative–you can easily unsubscribe contacts from your lists to stop receiving texts from them.
• Report spam numbers to your phone service provider after blocking them via one of the above methods. 
• Try out a third-party app to block unwanted texts and calls. Truecaller is among the best in the business. 

How to keep customers from blocking your texts

Obviously, it’s nice to know how to block texts you don’t want to receive, but you don’t want your customers blocking your texts. 

So, how do you make sure they don’t? Here are a few best practices. 

• Follow all compliance guidelines laid out for text message marketing. That means getting express consent from every subscriber before texting them, identifying your brand in your texts, and honoring every opt-out request (among other things).
• Don’t text too often. If you’re not sure how often you should be texting your subscribers, here’s a send cadence guideline you can follow.
• Stick to regular business hours to text your clients. Scheduling your texts can make this easier. 
• Not sure what your subscribers want to receive from you? Ask. Send out a survey or Data Collection series to get to know your customers and tailor your texts to their needs. 
• Personalize your texts. Recent data suggests that 78% of consumers claim that they’re more likely to repurchase from a brand after receiving personalized messages. Use customer details like names, locations, and areas or products of interest to send relevant content to each subscriber.

Frequently asked questions about blocking text messages

Here are the answers to some of the questions we get about blocking texts on your Android, iPhone, or business texting app:

Can you block group text messages?

You can’t outright block a group text, but you can take measures to leave the conversation. In RCS conversations, you can choose to leave the conversation in the message options. If your group chat is SMS or MMS, you can turn off notifications for the conversation or block all numbers involved.

How do I filter messages from unknown senders?

On iPhone, go to the Messages app. After clicking the menu button at the top right of your conversation list, go to Manage Filtering > Screen Unknown Senders.

On Android, tap on your profile picture in the Messages app, then choose Spam & blocked. Then, select the three dots in the upper-right corner and go to Blocked numbers. Toggle the Unknown switch on to block calls and messages from unknown numbers.

Can you send a text to someone you blocked?

Yes, you can text someone you blocked, unless they also blocked you. Text blocking is one-way.

How do I unblock text messages on my Android or iPhone?

To unblock text messages, you can follow the same steps as above that you would follow to block someone’s number.

Alternatively, you can visit your list of blocked numbers and unblock them from there. You can find them on iPhone in your Settings by selecting Phone > Blocked Contacts. On Android, tap on your profile picture, go to Spam & blocked, then tap the three dots in the upper-right corner and choose Blocked numbers.

How do I stop receiving text messages from someone without blocking them?

You can’t block texts but not calls – it’s an all-or-nothing situation. But you can mute notifications from a text conversation.

On iPhone, swipe left on a conversation in your Message app’s conversation list and tap the mute icon (which looks like a crossed-out speaker). On Android, press and hold the conversation in your Messages app, then click the snooze icon (which looks like an alarm clock).

What does a blocked text message look like?

On iPhone, you won’t see any blocked text messages. On Android, blocked text messages will appear in your phone’s spam and blocked messages, away from your main inbox.

If you send a blocked text message, you won’t get a notification, but your text may appear as sent, but not delivered.

Why am I getting texts from a blocked number?

If you’re still getting texts from a blocked person on Android or iPhone, it could be a malfunction. Restart your phone, and if you’re still getting texts, contact your carrier directly to block the contact on the carrier level.

On iPhone, it’s also possible to send an iMessage from a computer, so make sure you have that person’s secondary contact information, such as emails, blocked as well.

The wrap on blocking texts 

Your text inbox is sacred. You only give out your number to people you trust, so receiving text scams or spammy messages can feel like a serious breach of trust. 

Thankfully, you can stop unwanted texts at the source using the tips and tricks we’ve laid out here.

Want a smoother, safer way to run your SMS strategy? Try out SimpleTexting for 14 days, completely free.