How to block, filter, and unblock messages on your iPhone?

There’s always some number spamming you. Whether special offers, gift cards, low credit card interest rates, debt relief, insurance deals, or from your ex who just can’t move on. Constant SMS bombardment can quickly become tiresome and irritating. Fortunately, if you use an iPhone there are several ways to block or filter out unwanted messages.

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How do spammers get your number?

• Data leaks, personal data sales, or random number generation can lead to spammers obtaining your phone number. 
• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites collect your online activity (including your mobile number) and share it with advertisers.
• A system called Automatic Number Identification (ANI) can store your number and share it with advertisers when you call numbers in the 800, 888, or 900 range.
• By filling out a sign-up form for a contest or rewards program, you voluntarily give companies your number, which may end up in the advertising network.

Can you block unwanted SMS messages on your iPhone?

Yes, iPhones have settings built into iMessage for filtering and blocking spam/unwanted text messages.

Note: When you add a number to your SMS block list, iOS automatically blocks it from calling you.

How to block unwanted spam/text messages on iPhone?

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Block spam SMS through the settings menu

Using this method, you can only block messages from contacts whose numbers are already in your contacts list.

• Open the Settings app.
• Scroll down and click Messages.
• Scroll down again and tap Blocked Contacts.
• You will see a Blue Add New setting right at the bottom.
• Tap Add New and select a contact.
• Great! No more messages from that contact.

Block spam SMS from your contacts list

This method only works if you include the number you want to block in your contacts list.

• Open the Phone app.
• Click on Contacts.
• Tap on the contact you want to block.
• Scroll down till you see a red Block this caller option.
• Finally, click the Block this caller setting.

iOS provides an option to block SMS from unknown numbers, as described in the two methods below.

Block spam SMS from a received text message

This method is perfect for blocking numbers that send you iMessages but are not in your contacts list.

• Open the iMessage app.
• Tap on the conversation with the number that you want to block.
• Click on the sender icon at the top.
• Select the info icon i at the top right.
• A list of options will appear.
• Block this Caller is the last option at the bottom.
• So, tap on the Red Block This Caller setting.
• That’s it! You will stop receiving messages from that number.

From a recent call

• Launch the Phone app.
• Click Recents to access your call history.
• Tap “i” located at the right end of each recent number.
• Scroll down until you see the red Block this Caller option.
• Finally, tap on the Block this Caller setting.

How to view blocked contacts and numbers on iPhone?

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You can access your blocked contacts through the Phone or Messages settings menu. Below is how to find your blocked contacts list.

Through the Phone settings menu

Using this method, you can find all your blocked contacts, regardless of whether they are saved in your iPhone contacts list.

• Launch the Settings app.
• Scroll down and click on Phone.
• Then scroll down again and tap Blocked Contacts.
• Voila, you have just found your Blocked contacts list.

Through the Message settings menu

Below is another way to get to your blocked contacts list.

• Open the Settings app.
• Scroll down and click on Messages.
• Then scroll down again and tap Blocked Contacts.

How to unblock a number you previously blocked on your iPhone?

From your contacts list

Imagine that you blocked an annoying contact saved on your iPhone. Then someday, you decide to unblock them after having a change of heart. Below is how to do it.

• Open the Phone app (represented by a phone icon).
• Click on the Contacts icon in the phone app.
• Type search the contact name using the search bar or scroll down and click the contact.
• “Unblock this Caller, is the last option at the bottom.
• Click Unblock this Caller and remove that contact from your blocked list.

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From a recent call

This method works with blocked contacts that are either saved or not saved. That is as long as you can find their most recent call log.

• Open the Phone app (represented by a phone icon).
• Click on Recents and browse through your recent calls.
• Once located, tap “i” (on the right end) to open the contact information.
• Finally, click Unblock this Caller.

From a recent text message

• Launch the Messages app.
• Click All Messages.
• Open the message from the contact you want to block.
• Click on the sender’s icon (at the top).
• Next, click on the Info icon on the right (just below the sender’s icon).
• Unlock this Caller is the last option at the bottom of this sub-menu.
• Hit Unlock this Caller. You’re done!

From the message settings menu

• Open Settings.
• Scroll down and tap Messages.
• Scroll down again and click Blocked Contacts.
• That will reveal your list of blocked contacts.
• Tap Edit on the top right of this sub-menu.
• Now click the Red negative button that appears before the name.
• That will prompt a Red Unlock button to appear.
• Finally, tap Unlock.

From the phone settings menu

• Launch the Settings app.
• Scroll down and click Phone.
• Scroll down again and tap Blocked Contacts.
• That will reveal your list of blocked contacts.
• Tap Edit on the top right of this sub-menu.
• Now click the Red negative button that appears before the name.
• That will prompt a Red unlock button to appear.
• Finally, tap Unlock.

Filter out spam text messages from your iPhone

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Having the ability to block spam numbers is a good thing. But imagine receiving multiple messages throughout the day from spammers. Spending your whole day blocking spam numbers would be a nightmare. That’s why iOS provides you with an alternative.

How to filter spam SMS on iPhone?

• Open the Settings app and click messages.
• Scroll down until you find Filter Unknown Senders.
• Then toggle on the Filter Unknown Senders option.

What does the spam message filter setting do?

By enabling Filter Unknown Senders, iOS will separate your incoming SMS into three main groups.

All Messages

In the All Messages Group, messages from both known and unknown senders will appear.

Know Senders

Messages from known senders will only appear in the Known Senders Group.

Unknown Senders

In the Unknown Senders Group, you’ll only see messages from senders whose numbers are not in your contacts list. You won’t be notified when such messages arrive.

Can you block SMS on iPhone but allow incoming calls from the same number?

On iPhone, if you block incoming messages from any number, then iOS will also stop all incoming calls from that number. For more information check apple.com.

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