Unsolicited texts and calls provoke annoyance across all demographics. In a 2022 Pew Research survey on mobile etiquette, 75% of adults under 50 years old said receiving undesired messages is a major irritation.
And one MIT study on spam texts found over 50% contain malicious phishing links or attachments aiming to compromise devices and steal personal data.
When an ex, spammer, or even a well-meaning friend pesters you with too many texts, blocking contacts on iMessage grants control over who can reach you. This definitive guide details every method to block users and curb message chaos.
Spam and Unwanted Messages: By the Numbers
While Apple designed iMessage and SMS to conveniently connect people, these messaging mediums become venues for bombardment:
In 2022, 59.4 billion spam texts were sent worldwide, according to research firm Truecaller. That‘s a 25% increase from the year before.
| Year | Spam Texts Sent |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 47.8 billion |
| 2022 | 59.4 billion |
And Americans received over 21 spam texts per month on average, reported mobile security firm Cloudmark.
Where Do Spam Texts Originate?
Cloudmark delved into the sources behind intrusive spam messages:
| Spam Category | % of Total Spam Texts |
|---|---|
| Business Scams | 26% |
| Phishing Links | 25% |
| Brand Promotions | 22% |
| Political Spam | 12% |
| Other | 5% |
As you can see, over half aim to manipulate users for money, data…
Blocking Offenders Provides Peace of Mind
When facing message bombardments, blocking contacts grants control over your digital space. Messages from blocked iPhone numbers, email addresses, and social media handles will automatically disappear from your inbox rather than demanding attention.
And Apple makes it simple to silence pesky callers across your iPhone, iPad, MacBook or iMac with a few screen taps in the Messages app.
Let‘s walk through each step-by-step method, from individual SMS blocking to large-scale unknown sender filtering.
Block a Contact on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch
Thanks to Apple‘s iOS ecosystem continuity, blocking a telephone number on your iPhone also blocks them on iPad and iPod Touch devices signed into the same Apple ID account.
Step 1: Access Messages
Start by launching the Messages app from your home screen:
Step 2: Tap the Conversation
Next open the conversation containing messages from the unwanted individual. Their phone number should be visible here:
Step 3: Tap their Profile Icon
At the top, tap their circular profile picture, contact name, or phone number to open their Contact form:
Step 4: Open Contact Options
For one-on-one iMessage conversations, tap the Info button to access contact details like phone number, email, and blocking:
Step 5: Select Block Contact
Finally, tap Block this Caller and confirm to prevent calls, texts, and FaceTime from this number. Repeat as needed for other individuals.
And voila! This contact disappears from your messages and cannot contact you unless unblocked later (which we‘ll cover).
Up next: Blocking on Mac…
Block Someone on iMessage via Mac
Thanks to Apple‘s ecosystem integration, blocking a phone number on one device blocks it across all devices signed into your Apple ID account.
But you can also easily block unwanted messengers right from a MacBook or iMac desktop.
Step 1: Open Messages
Click the Messages icon in your Mac‘s Dock to launch the app:
Or use Spotlight Search:
Step 2: Select the Conversation
In your Messages window, click the conversation with the contact you want to block:
Step 3: Click the Conversation Menu
At the top menu bar click Conversation to open more options:
Step 4: Choose Block Contact
In the dropdown menu, click Block Contact to prevent communication.
Step 5: Confirm Blocking
A popup confirms blocking – click Block to complete.
And now they disappear from your messages list and can‘t contact you (unless later unblocked). Easy enough!
Up next: curbing texts from spammers at large…
Filter All Unknown Senders on iPhone
No direct way exists to preemptively block unfamiliar numbers who haven‘t already messaged you. However, iOS 16 added a useful Filter Unkown Senders option.
Rather than fully blocking unfamiliar contacts, this filters them into a separate group so foreign numbers don‘t clutter your main inbox. Here‘s how to enable it:
Step 1: Open Settings
From your home screen, launch the Settings app.
Step 2: Tap Messages
Scroll down and select Messages.
Step 3: Enable Filter Unknown Senders
Under SMS/MMS, toggle on the Filter Unknown Senders option.
Step 4: Open Messages and Select Filter
Launch your Messages app and tap the Filter icon in the upper left corner:
Step 5: Choose Known Senders
Lastly, tap Known Senders to only view texts from your contacts list.
Messages from unfamiliar numbers will remain hidden until you toggle the filter off later. This helps avoid distraction from random sales texts and spam!
Up next: What happens behind the scenes when you block…
Behind the Scenes: Blocking and iMessage
Blocking might seem straightforward on the surface, but let‘s peek behind the curtains to see what happens underneath.
Texting Over WiFi Using End-to-End Encryption
Launched in 2011, iMessage sends texts over WiFi or cellular data rather than your SMS allowance. This makes messaging speedier when internet connectivity is strong.
iMessage also uses end-to-end encryption. This means only the sender and recipient can read message contents – not even Apple can access them. Encryption keeps conversations secure.
So texts sent between iPhones via iMessage remain hidden from prying eyes, especially helpful when discussing private matters.
Block Stops Communication Cold
When you block an iPhone contact, they can no longer:
- Call you from that number
- iMessage you
- Send SMS texts to your device from that number
- FaceTime or contact you digitally in any way
And YOU won‘t see any texts they send after blocking them. Their messages simply won‘t breach your digital barriers to reach your devices or inbox.
Blocking only works one way though. If you text a blocked contact, they will receive the message on their end. But your device ignores and won‘t display anything they send back.
Up next: the notifications (or lack thereof) when you block someone…
No Direct Blocking Confirmations
Apple doesn‘t alert a contact when you block their number. The offender won‘t receive any sort of official notification saying you blocked them.
However, savvy users may eventually notice if their calls fail to go through or texts bounce back days later. They may intuit you applied a block if communication suddenly halts. But no formal confirmation pops up on their end.
Some positives from blocking silent offenders:
- Fewer disruptive alerts
- Less inbox clutter
- More control over your digital space
- Reduced desire to check phone constantly
While blocking might seem extreme in some situations, it often lowers friction and stress.
Up next: what if you change your mind?
Unblocking Contacts on iPhone
Had a change of heart and want to reconnect with a previously blocked person? Unblocking brings their texts and calls back from the beyond. Here‘s how:
Step 1: Open Settings
From your home screen, launch the Settings app.
Step 2: Choose Phone
Scroll down and tap Phone.
Step 3: Select Blocked Contacts
Next tap Blocked Contacts.
Step 4: Tap Edit
You‘ll see the list of blocked numbers. Tap Edit in the upper right corner.
Step 5: Delete the Contact
Swipe left on the contact entry and tap the red Delete button to remove them from the blocked list!
And now they can contact you freely again.
Up next: pro tips for reducing spam texts…
Expert Tips: Avoid Spam When Sharing Your Digits
While filtering and blocking give control after the fact, preventing spam texts from the start minimizes hassle. Here are some pro tips:
Don‘t Give Number for Store Rewards
Retail rewards programs like grocery points often require supplying a phone number. But this opens the floodgates for promotional spam texts later. Consider using an alternate number just for retail rewards instead of your main line.
Wait to Share Digits with New Connections
When meeting fresh contacts either personally or online, don’t immediately give out your number. Consider chatting over encrypted messaging apps first to establish trust and gauge intentions before sharing your main phone number.
Setup Contact Groups
iOS allows creating custom contact groups for easier mass texting to family, friends, teammates, etc. You can enable group messaging in Settings. This reduces need to give number broadly.
And pro tip – use iMessage on all your devices tied to the same Apple ID account. Then you can sync blocking changes across iPhone, iPad, MacBook and iMac for added convenience!
SMS Text and FaceTime Troubleshooting
Beyond blocking woes, you may encounter other text and call issues. Try these common troubleshooting fixes:
Accidentally Texted Wrong Person?
We‘ve all mistakenly sent messages to unintended folks. What do you do?
If within two minutes of sending, you can unsend an iMessage to retract it using iOS 16.
But if you have an older OS or much time passed, immediately explain to the recipient it was sent by mistake. Then delete the messages from your phone. Out of sight, out of mind!
If the text contained sensitive content though, also message the accidental recipient politely asking them to please delete without reading further. There’s no guarantee they will, but it’s worth respectfully asking.
Number Won‘t Block?
If you followed all steps to block a number but still receive calls or texts from them, a couple issues may be at play:
-
On iPhone, check Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts to confirm the number was fully blocked. Accidentally tapping blocking too quickly can fail to register, so retry entering the digits carefully.
-
The sender might be using an app or another number to reach you, thwarting your block. Expand the block to any new numbers they contact you from.
-
Rarely some contacts set Caller ID to Hidden or No Caller ID, which iOS can’t block reliably. Request their service provider disable this feature if overly bothersome.
Lost Device Means Lost Blocked Contacts
If your iPhone is ever lost, stolen, or damaged beyond function, any device-local blocked contacts disappear – they don‘t sync across devices.
You‘ll need to block all previous numbers again manually if acquiring a replacement mobile phone.
A good safeguard is keeping a written list somewhere separate from your phone noting blocked contacts. Or the ultimate protection is backing up your entire device to your computer periodically.
If you rely on text messaging daily for work or communicating with family, a backup offers peace of mind so you can get back talking ASAP if a phone catastrophe strikes!
Parting Thoughts
And there you have it – a full overview of how blocking and filtering unwanted messengers provides control over that constant communication channel to your pocket.
No more feeling hostage to the whims of annoying exes, overbearing coworkers, or fishy spam numbers. Take back dominion over your digital space!
Message me with any other questions about locking down texts or securing your iPhone. I‘m always happy to help troubleshoot tech and gadget issues for friends and neighbors!
About Me
Sophie Owens is an Apple technology expert specializing in digital security and performance for iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and iMacs. She harbors fascination with hacking and phishing techniques used to compromise devices – not to employ them! – but to better educate consumers on protecting their precious data and privacy.
In her free time you can find Sophie commitment battling in regional chess tournaments or escaping into immersive single player video game worlds. She looks forward to the day Apple finally launches native iOS virtual reality capabilities so she can defeat evil robots and mythical creatures from the comfort of her living room.
