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How to block calls on your iphone

Jonathan Mitchell
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To block a number on iPhone, open the Phone app, go to Recents, tap the i next to the number, scroll down and tap Block this Caller. This guide covers every other way to block calls on iPhone too: saved contacts, Messages and FaceTime, spam and unknown callers, private numbers, and the call-screening options on iOS 26.

Updated October 2026 with the iOS 26 call screening and filtering settings.

How to Block Calls on iPhone: the Quick Answer

  1. Open the Phone app and tap Recents.
  2. Find the number and tap the i icon next to it.
  3. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.
  4. Tap Block Contact to confirm.

From then on that number can’t call, message or FaceTime you, and the caller isn’t told they’ve been blocked. Do the same for a spam number you’ve just missed, straight from your call history.

Block a Contact or a Number From Your Contacts

If the caller is saved in your contacts, you can block them from the contact card:

  1. Open the Phone or Contacts app and open the contact.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the card.
  3. Tap Block this Caller and confirm.

Block Calls From Messages or FaceTime

  • Messages: open the conversation, tap the name or number at the top, tap the i button, then tap Block this Caller.
  • FaceTime: find the person in your recent calls, tap the i next to their name, then tap Block this Caller.

Blocking a number in one app blocks it in all three: Phone, Messages and FaceTime share the same blocked list.

Stop Spam and Unknown Callers on iOS 26

Blocking one number at a time doesn’t help against spam, because callers keep changing numbers. On iOS 26 and later, the old Silence Unknown Callers switch became a three-way setting:

  1. Open Settings, then Apps, then Phone.
  2. Tap Screen Unknown Callers.
  3. Choose Never, Ask Reason for Calling or Silence.
  • Ask Reason for Calling: unknown callers are screened first. The caller is asked why they’re calling and you see the transcribed answer before deciding whether to pick up.
  • Silence: unknown numbers go straight to voicemail and show up in Recents. Your phone doesn’t ring.

Under the same Phone settings, Call Filtering has separate toggles for Unknown Callers and Spam. With them on, unsaved numbers and likely spam are silenced and filed in their own lists instead of ringing. It is off by default, so switch it on if spam is your main problem.

A caveat: silencing only applies to numbers you’ve never been in touch with. A number you’ve called or texted before counts as known and will still ring. Also check your voicemail now and then, because a doctor’s surgery or delivery driver you weren’t expecting can end up there. On iOS 25 and earlier the setting is Settings, Phone, Silence Unknown Callers.

Block No Caller ID and Private Numbers

You can’t block “No Caller ID” or “Private Number” directly, because there’s no number to add to the blocked list. Use one of these instead:

  • Turn on Silence or Ask Reason for Calling under Screen Unknown Callers, which also catches hidden numbers.
  • Use a Focus that only allows calls from your contacts (see below).

Use a Focus to Allow Only Certain Callers

A Focus can allow calls only from the people you choose and silence everyone else:

  1. Open Settings, then Focus, and pick Do Not Disturb or create a new Focus.
  2. Tap People and choose who is allowed to reach you.
  3. Set calls to be allowed from Allowed People Only or favourites.

This suits nights and work hours. It doesn’t block anyone permanently, it just stops the phone ringing for everyone outside the list.

Third-Party Call Blocking Apps

Apps such as Truecaller, Hiya and RoboKiller use databases of known spam numbers. After installing one from the App Store, switch it on:

  1. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Phone.
  2. Tap Call Blocking & Identification.
  3. Toggle the app on.

Read the privacy policy first. Some of these apps upload your contacts or call data.

See and Manage Your Blocked Numbers

  1. Open Settings, then Apps, then Phone, and tap Blocked Contacts.
  2. Swipe a number left or tap Edit to unblock it.
  3. Tap Add New to block a number you haven’t had contact from yet.

On iOS 17 and earlier, the same list is under Settings, Phone, Blocked Contacts. Messages and FaceTime show the same list under their own settings.

Report Spam Calls (UK)

Blocking helps you, but reporting helps stop the number reaching others. In the UK, forward spam texts to 7726 (it’s free) and register with the Telephone Preference Service to cut down on unsolicited sales calls. Elsewhere, check your carrier’s spam reporting tool or your country’s do-not-call registry.

Common Questions

  • Does the caller know I blocked them? No. They aren’t notified.
  • Will a blocked caller still be able to leave a voicemail? They can, but it goes to a separate Blocked Messages list in the Voicemail tab rather than your main inbox.
  • Can I block calls from a number that isn’t in my call history? Yes. Add it manually under Blocked Contacts, or search for it in Contacts if it’s saved.
  • Why do blocked-style calls still ring? Scammers change numbers constantly. Use Screen Unknown Callers and Call Filtering rather than relying on a block list alone.
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