How to Block Calls on the iPhone

Ok, let’s talk about how to block numbers on iPhones. I’m not exactly sure why, but for some reason telemarketers and scam callers and survey collecting people love to call me. I don’t know how they get my number, and I never answer the phone if I don’t know who’s calling, but yet they still insist on calling, sometimes multiple times in a row –they’re like the mosquitoes of the communication world (I mean, I admire your persistence – “A” for effort, guys – but seriously, stop calling me). So, I’m gonna go out on a limb and guess that I’m not the single unluckiest person in the world when it comes to unwanted calls, and that a lot of you also deal with similar annoyances. So if you, too, have tried and failed to get these nuisance calls to stop, you might want to try just blocking their numbers entirely. It’s very simple to do; in fact, there are multiple ways to block calls on iPhone, if you’re using iOS 7 or iOS 8. However, if you have iOS 6, it takes a bit more work to successfully get rid of unwanted callers. But don’t worry, I’ll give you some options too. I’d never leave you hanging.

Block Calls on iOS 8 & iOS 7

Block Calls From List of Recents

The easiest way to block a number on your iPhone (in iOS 7 or 8), is do it immediately after you receive the nuisance call. Simply find the offender’s number in your recent calls, employ a few taps of your finger, and “kapow!” you’ll have forever banished the caller from your phone. This is also convenient if you’re trying to block a number that isn’t saved in your address book –like a telemarketer. Follow the quick steps outlined below to learn how to block calls on your iPhone.

1. Open the Phone app.

2. Tap the round “i” symbol next to the number you wish to block.

3. Tap “Block this Caller.”

4. Tap “Block Contact.”

That’s all it takes –now that number will no longer be able to contact you via calls, texts or facetime. However, if you ever wish to unblock a previously blocked number, just return to the same screen and tap “Unblock this Caller.”

Block Calls From Settings

You can also block numbers on your iPhone via your Settings app. With this method, your iPhone brings you to your address book, making it a good way to block someone who is already saved in your address book, like an ex or your alma mater’s annual fund (don’t bother, Holy Cross, I’m poor). In addition, in your settings you can also see all the numbers currently on your block list.

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Tap “Phone.”

3. Tap “Blocked.”

4. Tap “Add New…”

5. Tap the contact you wish to block; their name will then be added to your blocked list.

Like the previous method, you can also easily unblock any caller. Simply slide your finger to the left, and a big red “unblock” button appears. Tap that, and the caller will be able to contact you again.

Block Calls on iOS 6

Now, as promised earlier, let’s get into the options you have if you’re running an earlier version of iOS. Unfortunately, there is no built-in block feature, like with iOS 7 and 8. However, you do have a few options to try to block calls on iPhone:

• Download an app, like Call Bliss or (if your phone is jailbroken) iBlacklist, to manage unwanted calls by blocking or silencing them.
• Call your carrier and see what their policy is on blocking numbers for you. Most carriers will allow you to block at least a few numbers for free, and more if you’re willing to pay a few bucks.
• Save all unwanted callers under one contact. Label it “nuisance caller” or “screw you, stop calling me” or something to that effect. Then, give that contact its own ringtone (or better yet, create a silent ringtone) so at least you’ll be able to distinguish real calls from annoying nuisance calls.

Now that we’ve gone through a multitude of options for dealing with your annoying phonecall-mosquitos, what if *gasp* you yourself are a mosquito and you think someone may have swatted you onto their block list? Check out the below video for some helpful tricks to figure out if you’ve been blocked:

For more iOS tips and tricks head to our iOS How To’s section.