(Credit: Ian Moore)
There are all sorts of reasons to block a number: An ex who can't take a hint, relentless telemarketers, or those scammers who love spoofing. When your phone has buzzed one more time than you can take, it's time to block that number. But how? Here are the steps you should take.
Get on the Do Not Call List
The first way to reduce the number of unwanted calls coming to your phone is to ditch telemarketers by putting your number into the National Do Not Call Registry. On DoNotCall.gov, you can register up to three numbers at once and check whether your digits are already listed there. You'll need to include an email address to confirm your registration or call 1-888-382-1222 (TTY: 1-866-290-4236) from the phone you want to register.
According to the FTC, which runs the registry, your phone number will be added to the registry within 24 hours, but it will likely take up to 31 days for sales calls to stop. If telemarketers persist in calling you, file a complaint. Apps such as Robokiller and Nomorobo also block telemarketers and robocallers (and even deploy answer bots that pester them). And apps such as Do Not Respond handle text spammers, too.
Just don't expect anything to end unwanted calls altogether. Robocalls remain rampant, even though the FCC has taken measures to reduce them. While you wait for real results, here are some other steps you can take to keep your phone from ringing off the hook.
How to Block a Number on Your iPhone
There are a number of ways to block someone from your iPhone. By blocking them, you'll be sending them directly to voicemail when they call you. If they text you, their messages will be green and they'll never see the Delivered message appear.
Silence Unknown Callers in iOS
In iOS 13 and above, you can redirect calls from people or companies you don't know by going into Settings > Phone and turning on Silence Unknown Callers. Any caller whose number is not in your contacts list, Siri Suggestions, or recent outgoing calls is automatically directed to voicemail. You'll get a notification of the call afterward. However, keep in mind that this could also block perfectly legitimate calls from numbers not yet in your contacts.
You can also funnel text messages from numbers that are not in your contacts to a separate list. Go to Settings > Messages and turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
Block in the Phone or Contacts App
To block a number that called you, open the Phone app and tap Recent. Find the number and tap the Info icon (it looks like a lowercase letter ”i” in a circle). Scroll down and tap Block this Caller. Confirm, and calls from that number will go straight to voicemail.
(Credit: Apple/PCMag)To block someone in your Contacts lists, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. Scroll to the bottom and tap Add New. That will bring up your Contacts list; select those you want to block. You can also get there via Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts > Add New.
To block someone from a text, tap the number or name on the top of the screen, which will produce a drop-down menu with three options: audio, FaceTime, and Info. Tap Info. Tap Info again, scroll down, and tap Block this Caller.
(Credit: Apple/PCMag)Block on FaceTime
If you think they'll sneak a peek at you with FaceTime, go to that app, find the last FaceTime conversation you had with them, and click the Info icon. You'll get a screen with information about the call and actions to take; scroll down to Block this Caller. If it's someone in your Contacts, go to Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts. Scroll to the bottom, tap Add New, and select the name or names to block.
How to Block a Number on Your Android Device
Blocking a number from an Android device will vary based on the manufacturer of your device. By blocking them, it means their calls will go directly to voicemail, text messages will fail to deliver, and Google's suggested contacts feature will no longer suggest you if they try to manually enter your number.
Block Unknown Numbers and Spam on Android
Like iPhone, you can tell your Android device to block calls from unknown numbers by default. Open your phone app, tap the three-dot icon, and choose Settings. On a Pixel phone, go to Block numbers and enable Unknown to block out calls from people not in your contact list.
On a Samsung device, choose Block numbers and enable Block calls from unknown numbers. You can also select Block spam and scam calls, then enable Caller ID and spam protection and Block spam and scam calls. You'll have the choice to block only high-risk calls or all spam and scam calls.
(Credit: PCMag / Samsung)Block in the Phone or Messages App
Android allows phone makers some freedom when it comes to customization, so the process for blocking a number varies from device to device. In general, you should be able to tap the phone number and scroll to the bottom to block the call or tap the ellipsis icon and select Block Number to add a number.
(Credit: PCMag / Samsung)How to Enable Call Screen
Google's Phone app allows some Android phones to screen your calls without having to pick up. On a Google Pixel phone, you can open the app, tap the three-dot icon and choose Settings > Call Screen. From here, decide if the phone should screen unknown numbers, suspicious calls, or only known spam. Google Assistant will ask the caller why they're calling. You'll be sent a real-time transcript of the chat and can decide whether to pick it up or not.
Carrier Options
The major wireless carriers in the US have apps that can be used to block calls. Each features similar settings, with premium upgrades available for even more call-blocking and other security options:
- AT&T has Call Protect from the AT&T ActiveArmor app (iOS, Android). This security suite is included with an AT&T Unlimited Extra EL or Unlimited Premium PL plan. Otherwise, it's $3.99 per month.
- Verizon has Call Filter (iOS, Android), which lets you screen and block possible scammers for free. Upgrade to Plus, at $3.99 per month, to gain additional features.
- T-Mobile has a Scam Shield app (iOS, Android) that lets you block and report scam calls; a premium version that adds more features is $4 per line per month. The company also has scam blocking features built into the T-Life app (iOS, Android) for postpaid customers.
All the carriers (and even landline providers) are now required by the FCC to be part of an authentication system for real calls called the STIR/SHAKEN protocols. That system should already be cutting way down on the number of legit-looking spoofed calls, but it won't make them go away entirely.