Apple Block Calls And Messages For Personal Safety User Guide
- September 25, 2024
- Apple
Table of Contents
Apple Block Calls And Messages For Personal Safety User Guide
Introduction
Apple’s feature for blocking calls and messages is designed to enhance personal safety. With rising concerns around privacy and security, Apple has implemented effective tools that allow users to block unwanted contacts. This feature prevents unwanted calls, messages, and even FaceTime from specific numbers, providing peace of mind. Whether dealing with harassment, spam, or unwanted communication, Apple’s blocking functionality offers a simple and effective way to manage and safeguard personal space. Understanding how to use these features can greatly improve your smartphone experience.
Block calls and messages from certain people
If you’re receiving calls, FaceTime calls, messages, or emails from someone you don’t want to hear from, you can block them from contacting you in the future. If you block someone on one device, they’re blocked on all Apple devices signed in with the same Apple ID.
Important
The person you block won’t receive a notification that they’ve been
blocked, and you can still call, message, or email a blocked contact without
unblocking them. However, if you were sharing your location with them, they do
receive a notification that you have stopped sharing your location after you
block them.
Blocking a contact in Phone, FaceTime, Messages, or Mail blocks them across all four apps
.Find out how: To view a task below, select the plus button + next to its title.
Block voice calls, FaceTime calls, Messages, and Mail from certain people
- Phone app on your iPhone: In the Phone app, tap Favorites, Recents, or Voicemail, tap the Info button next to the name, phone number, or email address of the contact you want to block, scroll down, tap Block this Caller, then tap Block Contact.
- FaceTime app on your iPhone or iPad: In your FaceTime call history, tap the Info button next to the name, phone number, or email address of the contact you want to block, scroll down, tap Block this Caller, then tap Block Contact.
- FaceTime app on your Mac: In your FaceTime call history, Control-click on the name, phone number, or email address of the contact you want to block, then select Block this Caller.
- Messages app on your iPhone or iPad: In Messages, tap a conversation, tap the name or number at the top of the conversation, tap the Info button, scroll down, then tap Block this Caller.
- Messages app on your Mac: In your Messages history, select the name, phone number, or email address of the person you want to block. From the Conversations menu, select Block Person, then click Block.
- Mail app on your iPhone or iPad: Tap Mail , select an email message from the sender, tap their name at the top of the email, select Block this Contact, then tap Block this Contact.
- Mail app on your Mac: Open Mail, select an email message from the sender, click their name at the top of the email, then from the dropdown select Block this Contact.
- The Blocked icon appears next to the sender’s name in the message list and a banner is added to their messages to indicate they’re blocked.
- The banner also provides a link to the Blocked pane of Mail settings, where you can manage blocked senders.
Note: If the sender has previously been marked as a VIP in the mail, you must first tap Remove from VIP before you can block them.
Manage your blocked contacts.
You can manage your blocked contacts through any of the four apps that allow blocking—Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and Mail. Unblocking in one app unblocks across all four apps. Do any of the following to see the list of numbers you have blocked:
- iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone, then tap Blocked Contacts.
- FaceTime on your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > FaceTime, then under Calls, tap Blocked Contacts.
- FaceTime on your Mac: Open FaceTime, go to FaceTime > Settings (or FaceTime > Preferences), then click Blocked.
- Messages app on your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > Messages, then under SMS/MMS, tap Blocked Contacts.
- Messages app on your Mac: Open Messages, go to Messages > Settings (or Messages > Preferences), click iMessage, then click Blocked.
- Mail app on your iPhone or iPad: Go to Settings > Mail, then under Threading, tap Blocked.
- Mail app on your Mac: Open Mail, go to Mail > Settings (or Mail > Preferences), click Junk Mail, then click Blocked.
FAQs
How can I block a phone number on my iPhone?
You can block a number by going to the Phone or Messages app, finding the contact or number, and selecting Block this Caller from the contacts info.
Does blocking a number on my iPhone stop all communication?
Yes blocking a number prevents calls, messages, and FaceTime from that contact.
Will the blocked person know I’ve blocked them?
No Apple does not notify the blocked person, but they may notice their calls are not getting through.
Can I block unknown numbers or callers on my iPhone?
Yes, you can silence unknown callers by going to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. However, this will not block the numbers but direct them to voicemail.
How can I unblock a number on my iPhone?
To unblock, go to Settings Phone Blocked Contacts, then swipe left on the number you want to unblock.
Will blocking someone prevent them from leaving voicemails?
No, blocked callers can still leave a voicemail, but it will be stored in a separate Blocked Messages section.
Can I block text messages but allow phone calls from a number?
No, blocking a number on your iPhone blocks both calls and text messages from that contact.
How do I report unwanted texts or spam?
In Messages, you can report messages from unknown senders as spam by tapping Report Junk.
Can I block emails in addition to calls and messages?
Yes, in the Mail app, you can block email addresses by selecting Block this Contact from the sender’s info.
Is there a limit to how many numbers I can block on my iPhone?
No, there is no limit to the number of contacts or numbers you can block.