We explain how to stop someone calling you on your iPhone
We would all like the ability not to be contacted from certain numbers. Perhaps you are receiving nuisance calls from PPI firms, or an ex just won't leave you alone. You can block each call as it comes in, of course, but how can you block that number forever? Here's how to block a number on an iPhone running iOS 7 or iOS 6.
The following ways to block callers work on the iPhone 5, iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C, as well as older iPhones running iOS 6 and iOS 7. (Check out all of our smartphone tutorials.)
Block a number that has called you in iOS 7
Open up the Phone app at the bottom of every home screen. At the bottom of the window you should see 'Recents'. Click this. You will see a list of recent callers.
Click the i next to the number you wish to block. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and you will see the option to 'Block this Caller'. Click it and confirm your choice. That's it!
Another way to block a contact in iOS 7
You can also block contacts that are already in your phone. This works via the Settings app. Go to Settings - it is a grey app on your home screen. Then scroll down to Phone.
Scroll down again and you will see an entry for 'Blocked'. This shows you a list of blocked contacts. Click Add New... and you will be taken to your Contacts. Select the Contact you wish to block, and confirm your choice.
How to unblock a number in iOS 7
What if you make a mistake? To unblock a number you have blocked, go to Settings, Phone, Blocked and hit Edit. Click the red circle next to the blocked number you want to unblock, and a red button will appear. Press that. And you're done!
How to block a number on an iPhone running iOS 6
The easiest thing to do is to update to iOS 7, which is free. Here is how to update to iOS 7. If for some reason you can't however, the following advice will work:
1. First, jailbreak that iPhone. Here's how to jailbreak an iPhone - again, we don't actively recommend this, and we do recommend that you take time to weigh up the pros and cons.
2. Now you need an app to do the job. There are several, including 'Call Blocker' and 'Call Bliss'. You won't find all of these apps on the Apple App Store - for some of them you'll have to use the independent Cydia app store. The blocking app we are going to use is called iBlacklist. It costs $12.99 (about £8.50) and offers the ability to block calls and SMS messages from specific numbers, as well as all unknown numbers. Open up Cydia, then find, pay for and install iBlacklist. Restart your phone.
3. iBlacklist should now appear as one of your apps. Open it up, and click 'Blacklists'. Here's you'll find all your current blacklisted numbers - at this stage there won't be any. To add one hit 'Add new Blacklist', then add a number. You can do this via your recent call list - which is where you are most likely to find the culprit. You can also add in a contact, or manually put in a number. Once you've added a number, set the 'Call' icon to 'On'. To block text messages do the same thing with the 'Message' icon.
4. Now you need to configure what happens when a call comes in from that blacklisted number. Hit 'Action to be performed' and choose an option. Options include blocking before your phone even acknowledges the call, sending back the engaged tone, sending the caller directly to voicemail, or automatically hanging up the call. Finally, hit the blue button to save your selections and that number is blocked.
5. To block other numbers or even groups of contacts repeat steps 3 and 4.
Check out all of our smartphone tutorials.
Comments
Open source FTW said: Or get a real phone My android has number blocking by default and Ive never had the SPAM thing described in this article Gotta lt3 open source
Grim said: Expensive
mikey said: yes and to take more time from your already worthless life you took the time to write that comment
Kevin said: Stupid
Jpop said: As an alternative add the number you wish to block to your phone contacts Make the contact name something like DO NOT ANSWER 1 increase the number for each new contact number to block You can also set the ringtone to silent and vibration to none
Matt Egan said: Then please dont waste any more of your time here
Ace said: useless article you need to work on service optimization engine for this website You started off by writing and i quote First the bad news there is no easy way to block a specific number from calling your phone unless you are prepared to jailbreak your phone waste of time this website
mobomannisanass said: Did you have to take lessons on how to be a dick or does it just come naturally Fucking fandroid
HaHa..apple owners are suckers said: Im glad I have a Samsung Galaxy on Verizon ATampT and iPhones are both a complete joke My friend has one of the newest iPads amp when he seen my cheap-ass Acer tablethe was more impressed with my tablet lol FUCK Apple
toni said: hello there is a perfect way on ios 6 there is a option do not distrub go there and allow calls just from favorites and all others are blocked D
quiz said: so whyhow do I have a call listed as blocked in my recents
av2 said: my iphone 4 does not have that choice under edit Super lame so i just put the ringtone for that number on something soft and easy to ignore but still makes me miss my android as im not sure i want to jailbreak my phone
rosa said: yes I concur useless just name the number as dont answer works better
mobomann said: Except when you look at your phone and that is actually a pretty stupid thing to do considering the touch screen as many of these numbers is overcharging numbers that make you pay when you answer their call Its pretty easy to answer a touchscreen phone without knowing There are businesses that take advantage of your stupid plan
mobomann said: Stupid iOs and by the way Android have this as an built in function which means you dont need 3rd party apps to do the job That abyone actually still buys iPhones is just incredible
AV1 said: I found a very simple no jailbreak needed way to block a number its not blocking its more of - not getting any sound or vibert from a specific numberJust go to Contacts app go to the contact u wish to block type on the edit button and on choose the type of sound and vibret to none
Marc Simone said: I just assign these numbers to a silent ringtone with no vibration i never know they are even calling
Mike said: With Sprint iPhone you just go to their website login and enter the numbers you want to block up to 50
ZotDudot7 said: gtFirst jailbreak that iPhoneStopped reading there
Hardly bothered any longer said: What I do with numbers I dont recognize is dont answer If they dont leave a message I assume its a call Im glad I did not answer Next I add the number to a contact I named Do not answer That way the next time I get a call from that number I know not to worry about it because it tells me Do not answer Because there are so many calls like this you may have to create additional contacts Do not answer 2 Do not answer 3 etc Works great for me