Tyler Cross
Updated on: August 23, 2024 Senior Writer

Annoying text messages are everywhere in 2024, but there are ways to stop them. The exact method for blocking a sender depends on whether you use an Android or an iPhone and which messaging app you use. I will cover every method in this article.

Fortunately, in most cases blocking texts is simple. The exact process varies, but generally all you need to do is go to your message app, long press on the number you want to block, and hit the block button.

Blocking numbers is easy, but stopping spam from landing in your inbox is trickier. Scammers and spammers have effectively infinite numbers to send messages from. So the best solution to blocking spam messages is to use a spam filter. I’ve tested loads, and the best spam filters come with antiviruses like Norton, which can stop annoying texts from landing in your inbox while protecting your device from all manner of threats.

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Why Am I Getting Spam Text Messages?

Spam messages come from scammers or marketers trying to get you to engage with them. The end goal is always for them to earn money. This is true whether the sender wants you to visit their website and buy a legitimate product or whether they’re running a scam.

But how did the spammers get your number? There are a few possibilities. First and foremost, you’ve probably given your number out to all kinds of websites and real-life businesses over the years. Unfortunately, many companies decide to sell their databases of consumer information and these databases generally include client phone numbers. This often happens when firms go out of business, but many less reputable companies just sell whatever data they can collect. Some exist for the sole purpose of doing so. So there’s a good chance that spammers got your number from a company. It doesn’t matter if you gave the number out last week or 15 years ago.

Alternatively, your number could have been harvested as a result of illegal activity. Major companies and websites suffer data breaches regularly, with many of these resulting in the theft of data about the company’s clients. The hackers who accomplish the breach generally want something to show for it, so they sell this data (including your phone number) to scammers.

You can find out if your number was involved in a breach by using an identity protection service. Companies like Norton will scan known breach databases for your information and let you know when and how it was leaked. They will even monitor the dark web so you’ll know if your phone number (or your address, full name, and heaps of other information) has been posted there. Norton’s LifeLock plans do all this and more, monitoring your various accounts for fraudulent activity and guiding you in the event of a breach.

It’s also true that spammers send texts to random numbers, and you might just happen to be a recipient. This is why you should never reply to spam messages. If you do, the spammers will be able to tell that there’s a real person behind your number. They can then sell your number to scammers.

How to Block Text Messages on Various Apps & Device Types

There is no universal method for blocking text messages. The process is different on iPhone and Android, and there are slightly different steps for third-party apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Here’s how to attack the problem on each:

• Block text messages on Android.
• Block text messages on iOS.
• Block messages on other apps.

How to Block Text Messages on Android

Android phones have multiple methods of blocking texts. You can go through your default messaging app or your phone’s settings. You can also manage texts and block numbers using your computer.

Method 1: Blocking Texts Using Your Message App

Most Android phones come with a messaging app that lets you block messages directly. The name of the app will vary depending on your phone’s brand, but it’s always something like “Messages” or “Messenger”. I’ll be using Google’s Messages app in this example, but the process is almost identical with Samsung’s app and others.

1. Open your Android’s messaging app.

2. Navigate to the conversation with the contact you want to block.
3. Tap the 3 dots in the upper-right corner to open the menu. On the Samsung app, you need to tap the information icon (lowercase i) instead of 3 dots.

4. Select Block contact, Block and report spam, or Block number. The exact phrasing depends on which app you’re using.

5. Confirm your choice to block the number. Once done, that number will be unable to send you any messages. In some apps, you can choose whether to report the sender or simply block them.

Method 2: Blocking Texts via Your Phone App

You can also block texts through the app you use to make calls. Like with text messages, there are several different phone apps. The name will be slightly different depending on which app you have, but it’ll always be something like ‘Phone’. I’ll be using Google’s calling app in this example.

1. Open your Android’s Phone app.
2. Tap the 3 dots in the upper-right corner and select Settings.

3. Look for an option labeled “Blocked numbers”, “Call blocking”, or “Block numbers”. The exact phrasing varies across phones and apps.

4. You should see a field where you can add a number to your phone’s blacklist. Find it and enter the number you want to block.

5. Confirm your choice. In Google’s app, tap Block after inputting the number. On other apps, you may need to tap a check mark or plus sign.

Method 3: Managing Contacts From Your Computer

Finally, you can link Android with Google to monitor and block texts from your computer. This method only applies if you use Google’s Android messaging app. If you use another app to receive SMS messages, it might still be possible to use a computer to block people, but I won’t be getting into the details.

First off, you’ll need to connect your phone to Google’s cloud. Here’s what to do:

1. Search “Messages for web” and go to the page on Google’s official website.
2. Log into your Google account.

3. Pair your account by either scanning a QR code or accepting the prompt it sends to your phone. A notification will appear on the website with an icon. You’ll get a pop-up on your phone and will be asked to tap the same icon you saw on your computer.

You will now be able to view your text messages from any device by going to the Google Messages website. To block senders through the website, take the following steps:

1. On the Google Messages website, navigate to the conversation with the person you want to block.
2. Click on the 3 dots in the conversation window.

3. Select Details and then Block & report spam.

4. Confirm your choice. After this, the number will be unable to text or call you.

Even after you’ve successfully prevented a number from reaching you, there are a few other steps you should take to protect yourself from malicious and annoying texts. Blocking messages manually is effective, especially if you’re blocking an actual person, but scammers and spammers can easily create new phone numbers. To stop these messages, you’ll need a spam filter.

How to Block Text Messages on iPhone

On iPhone, there are several ways you can block phone calls and text messages from specific senders. You can do this directly from your Messages app, from Contacts, through your phone’s settings, or even from your Mac computer.

Method 1: Block Texts From the Messages App

The simplest solution is to block numbers directly in the Messages app. Here’s how:

1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.

2. Select your conversation with the sender or contact you want to block.

3. Tap on the contact’s name or number at the top of the screen to open the contact details.

4. Tap info again on the next screen to view more options.

5. Scroll down and tap Block Caller.

6. Confirm your action by selecting Block Contact. This will prevent the contact from sending you further texts or calling you.

Method 2: Block Messages Through Your Contacts

You can also block numbers through the Contacts app. This will only work if you’ve saved the number, however.

1. Open the Phone app on your iPhone.

2. Navigate to the Contacts tab then find and select the contact you want to block.

3. Scroll down and tap Block Caller.

4. Confirm your choice by tapping Block Contact. This will block texts and calls from the contact.

Method 3: Blocking Texts From Your Phone Settings

Another viable option is to go through your phone’s settings menu. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings app. By default, it’s found within the Utilities window.

2. Scroll down and tap Phone.

3. Tap Blocked Contacts.

4. Tap Add New… to select a contact you wish to block.

5. Choose the contact from your list. This adds them to your block list, preventing them from sending texts or calls.

Method 4: Blocking Text Messages on iPhone Using Your Mac

If you use iMessage on your Mac, you can block contacts directly from your computer.

1. Open the Messages app on your Mac.

2. Find the conversation with the person you want to block.

3. Click Conversation from the top menu bar and select Block Person.

4. Confirm your choice by selecting Block. This will block texts from the contact on both your Mac and iPhone if your devices are linked with the same Apple ID.

Once you’ve finished blocking a text message, there are still a few more things to consider: namely, how to protect yourself from malicious texts from new senders. I’ll get into it all later, but the most important things to do are to enable spam filters and use a quality antivirus.

How to Block Text Messages on Other Apps

If you’re trying to block texts on an internet-based messaging app, don’t fret. Every major texting app has its own solution for blocking someone. Here’s how to block messages in some of the most popular messaging apps:

• WhatsApp.
• Telegram.
• Facebook Messenger.
• Snapchat.

WhatsApp

1. Open the app.
2. Navigate to the conversation with the sender or contact you want to block.
3. Tap the contact’s name or phone number to open up a new menu.
4. Scroll down and tap Block. The word “block” will be followed by the contact’s name or phone number. There’s also a Report button which can block the sender as well, Whichever option you choose, you’ll need to confirm your choice.

Telegram

1. Open the app.
2. Go to the chat with the person you want to block.
3. Tap the contact’s name at the top of the chat to open their profile.
4. Tap the 3 dots in the upper-right corner.
5. Select Block User and confirm your decision.

Facebook Messenger

1. Open the app.
2. Select the conversation with the contact you wish to block.
3. Tap the contact’s name at the top to open their profile settings.
4. Scroll down and select Block.
5. Choose Block on Messenger and confirm your choice.

Snapchat

1. Open the app.
2. Swipe right to access the Chat screen.
3. Tap the conversation with the person you want to block.
4. Tap the contact’s Bitmoji or profile icon at the top of the chat.
5. Tap the 3 dots in the top-right corner and select Block. Confirm your action.

Congratulations! You now know how to block messages on all major messaging apps and devices. Just know that blocking is only a reactive step. It won’t stop malicious and annoying messages from users or phone numbers who have never messaged you, nor will it protect you from threats lurking in text messages. To deal with these, you’ll need to take further steps.

Other Methods to Block Texts

There are a handful of other viable methods you can use to manage your messages. You can stop texts at the carrier level or use third-party applications. Stopping texts through your carrier is a bit more complicated, but it’s also more effective at stopping that number from ever reaching you. Using a third-party application typically involves remote management of your phone. It can allow you to block texts to your iPhone using your Windows computer, but while it can be useful, it comes with extra risks and won’t block spam.

Stop Texts Using Your Carrier

Service providers like Verizon and AT&T offer ways of blocking messages at the carrier level. There is a difference between this and using your app to block a contact, but it’s subtle. When you block a number using one of the methods described above, the messages or calls they send you are simply filtered. They’ll still be sent to your device, you just won’t be able to see them and your phone won’t ring when they call you.

Each service provider will have a slightly different method for doing this, but they all follow a similar formula. Start by logging into your account with your phone service provider and look for a way to contact support. Tell the representative you want to block a number and they should be able to help you out. Some phone companies will allow you to do this without contacting support, so dig around on your account dashboard to see if this is possible.

Use Third Party Applications

Know that using any third-party application that manages your information has risks. Any application that can block contacts will be able to read all of your messages. There is always a possibility that the developer will sell your data or use your private information in malicious ways. With that out of the way, you can use apps like Truecaller or Call Blocker to manage contacts and filters or use apps like Apowermirror to manage your phone from your computer.

I’d urge you to consider other methods of blocking texts and only use these apps as a last resort. Even if the company has an excellent privacy policy, most don’t offer any features that improve upon what you can do with your phone or app’s built-in settings.

The only third-party applications that I recommend are antiviruses and other cybersecurity tools. Antiviruses like Norton and Bitdefender offer text monitoring and spam filtering, plus real-time protection to stop infections that may come from opening a harmful message.

How to Protect Yourself From Harmful Texts

Aside from being annoying, spam texts can also be dangerous. They may be enticements that end up with a long-term scam or extortion. The links included with spam texts are generally meant to steal your personal information or your money. These web pages can also potentially add malware to your device. Even if you know how to block shady texts, you should still brush up on how to protect yourself from the threats they can bring.

Again, blocking senders is a purely reactive measure. To reduce your load of spam in the long term, you need a spam filter.

• Install an antivirus. Good mobile antiviruses such as Norton will protect you from spam messages and calls and even block them from appearing in the first place. Even if a suspicious text passes through your phone’s spam filter, your antivirus’s web protection will stop you from visiting any dangerous sites it links to. If you already opened a malicious text message, your antivirus can scan through your phone’s files and quarantine the infection before it gets out of hand. Naturally, it can also remove any malware already on your phone.

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• Use an identity monitoring service. There are tools out there that will scan public records as well as the dark web for your phone number. By using one, you can see the specific leaks involving your phone number. Some services also offer guidance on what to do in a breach and will work with data brokers to keep your information from being spread. Many of the best such services come bundled with antiviruses (like Norton).
• Enable spam filtering. Using a third-party spam filter is the best way to ensure that you’re not overloaded with texts. There are a few options that you can find on the major app stores, but I recommend only considering cybersecurity apps with a history of respecting user privacy. Many of the best Android antiviruses and their iOS equivalents include effective spam filters.
• Regularly report spam and scams. If spam messages or scammers get past your filters, you should immediately report them. If enough people report a number, your carrier will take notice. In most cases, reporting a message will also automatically block the sender.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 2FA is a security feature that requires an additional authentication code before allowing you to log into a new device. This won’t directly block texts, but it prevents scammers from being able to log into your phone and steal your accounts or use your device to send spam to others. I highly recommend enabling 2FA for every account that you can (even for non-text-related subjects, like website logins, video game platforms, streaming services, and more).
• Use a VPN. Using a VPN doesn’t encrypt your SMS messages, but it offers a slew of privacy-focused benefits that can still help while texting. It will also anonymize any message you send or receive on web-based services like WhatsApp. This means a good VPN is the best tool for online messaging privacy. Also, if you open a shady link by accident, scammers won’t be able to learn your IP address or steal your data.
• Regularly update your device. If your device isn’t updated to the latest security patch, you’re left exposed to any threat that was patched. Security updates often bolster your phone’s ability to weed out spam callers or suspected scammers and increase its protection against common forms of malware. Make sure you’re regularly updating your phone and all your apps. Wherever possible, I recommend enabling automatic updates.

How to Unblock Contacts

Sometimes, you’ll need to know how you can unblock a number from sending you messages. This will vary depending on your phone or what app you’re using, but here are the easiest ways you can do it.

• Unblock texts on Android.
• Unblock texts on iOS.
• Unblock texts on other apps.

Unblock Texts on Android

There are a number of ways to unblock texts on Android, including going through the Messages app, the Contacts app, or by using your phone’s settings.

Using the Messages App

This is the easiest method but may not work for specific contacts that you blocked.

1. Open your phone’s messaging app.

2. Tap the 3 dots or profile icon in the upper-right corner to open up a new menu.

3. Select Spam & blocked or Blocked contacts, depending on your model and messaging app.

4. Tap the 3 dots on the top right and choose Blocked numbers.

5. Find the contact or number you want to unblock. Tap on it and select Unblock.

Using the Contacts App

This method works best if the person you want to unblock was already saved as a contact before you blocked them.

1. Open the Contacts app.

2. Find the blocked contact by searching for their name or finding it in the list. Once you’ve located the person, tap their name or number.

3. Select More (or Menu) and tap Unblock numbers. The exact text might be slightly different, but I can almost guarantee it will use the word “unblock”.

Using Your Phone App

1. Open your Phone app.

2. Tap the 3 dots in the top-right corner and select Settings.

3. Select Blocked numbers. Once again, the phrasing might be a little bit different if you’re using a different app to make calls.

4. Locate the number you wish to unblock and tap it. A new box should come up asking if you want to unblock the contact.

Unblock Texts on iOS

Like with Android, there are a few options to unblock a text message or contact. Follow this guide to find out how to allow messages from someone you’ve blocked in the past.

Using Your Phone’s Settings Menu

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Scroll down and tap Phone.

3. Tap Blocked Contacts.

4. Swipe left on the contact or number you want to unblock and then select Unblock.

Using Your Messages Settings

1. Open your Settings app.

2. Scroll down and tap Messages.

3. Tap Blocked Contacts.

4. Swipe left on the contact you wish to unblock and tap Unblock.

Alternate Method for Using the Messages App

1. Open the Messages app.

2. Find the blocked contact in your list.

3. Tap info in the top-right corner.

4. Scroll down and tap Unblock this Caller.

Unblock Texts on Other Apps

Finally, I’ll give a brief tutorial on how to unblock people on other texting apps. This is usually a simple process and is similar to how you’d do it through your phone’s SMS messaging app.

WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Tap the 3 dots in the upper-right corner and select Settings.
3. Go to Account, then tap on Privacy.
4. Select Blocked contacts.
5. Tap on the contact you want to unblock and select Unblock.

Telegram

1. Open Telegram.
2. Tap the 3 lines in the upper-left corner and go to Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and Security.
4. Tap Blocked Users.
5. Find the user you want to unblock and tap Unblock next to their name.

Facebook Messenger

1. Open Messenger.
2. Tap your profile picture in the upper-left corner to open Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and then choose Blocked accounts.
4. Find the contact and tap Unblock next to their name.

Snapchat

1. Open the Snapchat app on your device.
2. Tap your Bitmoji or profile icon in the top-left corner to access your profile.
3. Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Settings.
4. Scroll down and tap Blocked under the Privacy section.
5. Find the contact you want to unblock and tap the X next to their name.
6. Confirm your choice to unblock the contact.

Each texting app will have a unique method to unblock users or text messages, but they mostly use a similar process to the ones explained above. Go into your settings, find the privacy settings, and you’ll almost always find a section for blocked users.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Windows computer to block text messages?

Yes, you can use your computer to block texts. The solution is different depending on if you have an Android or iPhone, but it’s doable. It’s easier on Android since you can pair your phone with Windows by using Google Messages for Web. To manage your iPhone’s messages via Windows, you’ll need to use third-party applications like ApowerMirror, but frankly, it’s nowhere near as convenient as managing them direct from your iPhone.

Why do I need to block text messages?

There are a few reasons. You may simply not want to talk to someone anymore. You might want to avoid being bothered by spammers or falling victim to scammers. These are all good reasons; scammers can distribute malware and steal your personal information via links sent in text messages.

In addition to blocking individual senders, you can set up spam filters or use a good antivirus to monitor your texts.

How did spammers get my phone number?

If you’re getting lots of spam texts, there’s a good chance that your number was leaked. It could be that a service or website you use sold your information to a marketing company. This happens all the time, unfortunately. There’s also a good chance that your number was involved in an illegal data breach. This basically means that a company or service had its user data stolen and passed on to scammers. In either case, you can expect lots of text messages, but those utilizing stolen data are more likely to send dangerous texts than marketers, who are simply annoying. I recommend checking to see whether your number has been involved in a breach or posted on the dark web.

What does it mean to block texts at the carrier level?

Blocking texts at the carrier level means that your mobile service provider, such as Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, handles the blocking of unwanted text messages directly through its network. Depending on your phone company, you may be able to do this through the website, but in other cases you’ll have to contact support.

Can I block texts in other apps?

Yes! Every major texting app has its own way of blocking users from messaging you. This will vary by platform, but you should be able to do this in everything from Telegram and WhatsApp to Facebook Messenger. Check out my guide for more specific methods.