You’re not imagining it. Spam texts really are getting worse. Whether it’s fake package delivery alerts, sketchy prize notifications, or messages from numbers you’ve never seen before, they seem to multiply no matter how many you ignore.
The good news is that your phone already has tools built in to block these messages. You don’t need to download anything new or pay for a service. The bad news? Finding those settings can feel like navigating a maze designed by someone who doesn’t want you to succeed.
If you’ve ever opened your phone’s settings app and felt instantly lost, you’re not alone. Phone interfaces change constantly, and what used to be under “Messages” might now be buried three menus deep under something called “Focus” or “Digital Wellbeing.” Even tech-savvy people get frustrated trying to locate the right screen.
This guide is different from the usual instructions you’ll find online. Instead of just listing steps, we’re going to help you actually find the menus on your specific phone. We’ll show you where Apple and Android hide their blocking features, and what to do when the settings don’t look exactly like the screenshots you see elsewhere.
By the end, you’ll know how to block individual spammers, filter unknown senders, and report the really persistent ones. Most importantly, you’ll know where to look the next time you need to adjust these settings.
A quick check before you block a text
Before you tap that block button, take a moment to figure out exactly what you’re blocking. This matters because there are two different situations, and they work differently.
The first situation is blocking a specific phone number. This is what you want when you keep getting texts from the same person or business. Look at the top of your message thread. You’ll see either a contact name if it’s saved in your phone, or just a phone number like (555) 123-4567. Sometimes you’ll see a short number like 12345 or a business name like “Pizza Palace.” These short numbers are called short codes, and businesses use them for alerts and promotions.
The second situation is blocking unknown senders or spam in general. This is a setting that tries to filter out messages from anyone who’s not in your contacts. It’s more like a spam filter than blocking one specific person.
Here’s something that trips people up: blocking is not the same as reporting spam. When you block a number, it just stops future texts from that sender. Your phone won’t alert you anymore. But those old messages stay in your thread unless you delete them separately. Reporting spam, on the other hand, sends information to your carrier or phone maker so they can help stop that sender from bothering other people too.
So before you proceed, ask yourself: am I blocking one specific sender, or do I want to filter unknown messages in general? Once you know which problem you’re solving, finding the right setting gets much easier.
How to block a number in iPhone Messages (iOS)
If you’re staring at an annoying text on your iPhone, the fastest way to block the sender is right inside that conversation. Open the message thread from the person or number you want to block. At the very top of the screen, you’ll see their name or phone number. Tap it once.
A small menu will appear with options like audio call or FaceTime. Look for a button that says “info” with a little circle and the letter i inside. Tap that info button. This opens a detail screen about the contact or number.
Scroll down a bit until you see a section with options. One of them will say “Block this Caller” in red text. Tap it, then confirm you want to block. That’s it. The number is now blocked from texting or calling you.
If you can’t find that info button or prefer a different route, you can block numbers through your iPhone settings instead. Open the Settings app and scroll down to either “Messages” or “Phone.” Both options work, but Messages is usually easier to find.
Inside Messages settings, look for an option called “Blocked Contacts” or just “Blocked.” Tap it, then tap “Add New” at the bottom. You’ll see your full contact list. Find the person or number you want to block and tap their name. They’ll be added to your blocked list immediately.
To confirm it worked, go back to that Blocked Contacts screen. You should see the number or name you just blocked sitting right there in the list. You can always come back here later to unblock someone if you change your mind.
How to reduce spam texts on iPhone without blocking each number
If you’re getting dozens of spam texts from different numbers every week, blocking them one by one feels like a losing game. The spammers just switch to a new number and start again. Fortunately, your iPhone has a built-in feature that can quiet down most of this noise without you lifting a finger each time.
It’s called Filter Unknown Senders, and it works by separating texts from people not in your contacts into a different list. You’ll still receive the messages, but they won’t buzz your phone or clutter your main conversation list. Think of it like having a separate inbox for mail from strangers.
To turn it on, open Settings and scroll down to Messages. Look for an option that says “Filter Unknown Senders” and flip the switch on. That’s it. No complicated setup, no extra apps to download.
Once it’s active, your Messages app will show two tabs at the top. One is for conversations with known contacts, and the other is for messages from unknown numbers. The unknown messages won’t trigger notification sounds or banners, so your phone stays quiet. You can still check that second tab whenever you want to see if anything legitimate came through.
This feature is especially helpful if you’re dealing with a flood of spam from constantly changing numbers, or if you’re expecting a text from someone new like a delivery driver or appointment reminder. It won’t stop the spam from arriving, but it does stop it from interrupting your day. You’re still in control of blocking specific numbers if you want to take that extra step later.
How to block a number in Android Messages (Google Messages and similar apps)
If you’re using Google Messages or a similar Android texting app, the fastest way to block someone is right inside your conversation with them. Open the thread with the person you want to block, then look for three vertical dots in the upper right corner. Tap those dots and you’ll see a menu pop up.
From there, look for something like Details, People & options, or Contact details. The exact wording depends on your phone brand and which version of Android you’re running. Once you tap that, you should see a Block option, often paired with Report spam. If you choose Block & report spam, you’re telling your carrier or Google that this number is sending junk. If you just want them gone without reporting, Block by itself works fine.
Sometimes the menu is hiding in plain sight. On some phones, you might see a little info icon instead of the three dots. Tap that and look for blocking options in the screen that opens.
If you can’t find the block button inside a conversation, there’s another way. Open your messaging app and go into Settings. This is usually found by tapping the three dots or lines on the main message list screen. Once you’re in Settings, look for something called Spam protection, Blocked numbers, or Block & report spam. The labels vary, but they all lead to the same place.
From that screen, you can manually add phone numbers to your block list by typing them in. You can also see everyone you’ve already blocked and unblock them if you change your mind later.
How to find your blocked list and unblock someone
Oops. You blocked someone by accident, and now you need to undo it. Or maybe you blocked a number months ago and can’t remember where that list actually lives on your phone. Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this.
On an iPhone, your blocked list hides in a few different places, but they all connect to the same master list. Open your Settings app, then scroll down to either Messages or Phone. Tap on either one, and you’ll see an option called Blocked Contacts. Tap that, and you’ll find everyone you’ve blocked. To unblock someone, swipe left on their name and hit Unblock.
On Android phones, the location depends on which messaging app you use. If you’re using Google Messages, open the app and tap the three dots in the upper right corner. Go to Settings, then look for Spam & blocked or Blocked numbers. Samsung Messages puts it in a similar spot, usually under Settings and then Blocked numbers. Once you find the list, just tap on the contact you want to unblock and confirm.
Here’s something important to know: when you unblock someone, they can text you again right away. But any messages they sent while blocked won’t magically appear. Those are gone. If someone says they texted you and you never got it, this might be why.
One more thing. If you unblock someone and they still can’t reach you, check both your messaging app settings and your phone’s main settings. Sometimes a number gets blocked in two places, and you need to remove it from both.
