There are all sorts of reasons to block a number: an ex who won’t stop calling, telemarketers who can’t take a hint, scammers, or an aunt who wants to check in and see why you’re still not married.
When your phone has buzzed one more time than you can take, you know it’s time to block that number. But how? Here are the steps to take by popular operating systems and carriers.
Do Not Call
The first thing to do to reduce the number of unwanted calls coming to your phone is to put yourself into the National Do Not Call Registry. On the site, you can register your phone number or check if your digits are already there. On DoNotCall.gov, you can register up to three phone numbers at once. You’ll also need to include an email address, as you’ll need to confirm your registration. You can also call 1-888-382-1222 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 they persist in calling, you can file a complaint.
Operating Systems:
1. iOS
If you block someone from sending you texts, FaceTime, or voice calls, they will be automatically blocked from doing all three things.
To block a number that called you, go into the Phone app, select Recent. Find the number and click the I in the circle next to it. You’ll get a screen with information about the call and actions to take, scroll down to Block This Caller.
If you’re blocking someone in your Contacts lists, go to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification > Block Contact. That will bring up your contact list, and you can scroll through and select those you want to block. You can also get there via Settings > Messages > Blocked > Add New.
If a number texting you is not on your Contacts list, iOS 10 requires you to add it to your Contacts list before blocking it (tap the number/image on top of the screen > Create New Contact). Then follow the steps above. If you have an older version of iOS, tap the I in the circle at the upper right of the screen, then select Block This Caller > Block Contact.
If you think they’ll sneak a peek at you with FaceTime, then go to that app, find the last FaceTime conversation you had with them, and click the I in the circle next to it. 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 > Add New, and select the name or names to block.
In related news: If you think you’ve been blocked, signs include being sent directly to voicemail for calls, never seeing the “Delivered” message appear under your iMessage, and having your text turn green (as opposed to blue). These things can also happen if the person you’re trying to contact does not have a connection, so don’t freak out right away. But if it’s been awhile and you’re still not getting through.
2. Android
For Marshmallow or Nougat, open Dialer, go to your recent calls list, find the number you want to block and select Block/Report Spam. (If you don’t want to report the number as spam, you can uncheck the box.) Then tap Block.
For Lollipop, go to the Phone app and select Call Settings > Call Rejection (ouch) > Auto Reject List. Type in the number or search for it, select it, and you’re done.
If you use Messenger for messages, tap the name or number that sent you the message on your message list and select Block/Report Spam. (If you don’t want to report the number as spam, you can uncheck the box.) For Contacts, go into Messenger, select Menu > Blocked Contacts > Add a Number and enter the number you want to to block.
