How to Block Nuisance Calls and Messages on Your iPhone

[Apple_Robert]

And your explanation as to why a simple contact-only filter has been refused was what? Oh, yes, you have no ideas, right?

Seeing how I don't work for Apple and am not privy to confidential information, I cannot answer the question.

If you are so unhappy with Apple, it makes no sense to keep using their products and keep complaining while doing so. Find a company that will make you happy. Apple doesn't appear to be able to do so.

 

[wArch]

Unsolicited phone calls and messages can become a regular annoyance and even a cause of stress for many smartphone users these days. Thankfully, Apple provides features in iOS 11 that allow you to block nuisance calls and messages from the same number coming through to your phone, and in this article we're going to show you how to set them up.

Whether it's messages from a debt collector looking for the wrong person, a random number from a foreign country that keeps calling in the middle of the night, or just someone in your contacts that you'd rather not hear from again, following the steps below should stop them from bothering you.

How to Block a Recent Caller in iOS 11

If the number you want to block is a recent caller, follow these steps on your iPhone.

1. Launch the Phone app.
   Tap Recents.
   
   
   Locate the number you want to block in the All or Missed calls list.
   Tap the information icon (the encircled lowercase "i") to the right of the number.
   Scroll down the Caller ID screen and tap Block this Caller.

How to Block a Number That Messages You

If you're the recipient of unwanted messages from a specific number, here's how to prevent them from coming through to your iPhone.

1. 
   Launch the Messages app.
   Navigate to the main messages list if necessary, and tap a message received from the number you want to block.
   
   
   Tap the information icon (the encircled lowercase "i") at the upper right of the message window.
   At the top of the Details screen, tap the name of the contact or the associated phone number.
   
   
   Scroll down the Caller ID screen if necessary and tap Block this Caller.

How to Block a Number in FaceTime

If you received a FaceTime call from a number that you want to block, follow these steps.

1. 
   Launch the FaceTime app.
   Tap either the Video or Audio button, depending on the type of FaceTime call you received from the caller you want to block.
   
   
   Locate the unwanted call you received in the list and tap the information icon (the encircled lowercase "i") next to it.
   Scroll down the Caller ID screen if necessary and tap Block this Caller.

How to Manage Blocked Contacts on iPhone

Follow these steps to add or remove a contact from your blocked list of numbers.

1. 
   Launch the Settings app.
   Tap Phone in the list.
   Tap Call Blocking & Identification.
   
   
   To remove a contact from your blocked list, tap Edit in the upper right corner of the screen, tap the red minus button that appears next to the contact(s) you want to remove, and then tap Done.
   To add a contact to your blocked list, tap Block Contact... and select the contact from your Contacts list. All of the numbers in the contact card you select will be added to your blocked list.

Note that you can also access and manage your blocked contacts list in the Settings app via Messages -> Blocked and FaceTime -> Blocked.

Try a Third-Party Blocking Solution

If you're inundated with spam calls from different numbers on a regular basis, then consider one of the many third-party blocking solutions available from the App Store: Several apps like Hiya and TrueCaller use an implementation of Apple's CallKit to identify and block suspect numbers before your phone even rings.

After installing one of these apps, you can manage their call permissions at any time from within the Settings app, by tapping Phone and selecting Call Blocking & Information.

Article Link: How to Block Nuisance Calls and Messages on Your iPhone

What is in my wish list for the next version of iOS is a setting to assign a ringtone to any and all calls from numbers not in my contacts. To go through all my contacts and change the ringtone is a hassle when all I want is one that is the "Do not answer" ring. Currently my voicemail message says that if the caller's number is not in my address book I won't be answering the call. Leave a message and if you are someone who should be in my contacts I'll add you and call you back.

When out skiing and my phone rings and it is buried in a pocket I would love to know that the call is not from someone I would like to talk to.

 

[D.T.]

Currently, I am using Nomorobo. Would be nice if it at least worked similar to the home phone model, where spam calls only ring once. If a call gets through with Nomo, it rings and rings until voicemail picks up.

I'm using Nomorobo too, and I _thought_ the behavior for the two options was either: 1) Rings, flagged as a bogus call or 2) Sent immediately to voicemail without any ring-through [?]

Have you taken the time to read the terms of use for "Hiya" and "Truecaller," ? If not, it would behoove you to do some reading before endorsing either one.

After I read some other review of those two apps (initially via Marco), got a sense of their TOS, I ran to Nomorobo

 

[BadAppleCore]

Seeing how I don't work for Apple and am not privy to confidential information, I cannot answer the question.

If you are so unhappy with Apple, it makes no sense to keep using their products and keep complaining while doing so. Find a company that will make you happy. Apple doesn't appear to be able to do so.

It makes no sense that you offer no solutions to the problem addressed in the thread . Because you have no explanations whatsoever.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I'm using Nomorobo too, and I _thought_ the behavior for the two options was either: 1) Rings, flagged as a bogus call or 2) Sent immediately to voicemail without any ring-through [?]



After I read some other review of those two apps (initially via Marco), got a sense of their TOS, I ran to Nomorobo

Ideally, I would like the app (or any app) to be able to block the call without going to voicemail, much less ringing. Sending all calls to voicemail means you have to constantly delete hangup, spam left voicemail.

 

[dalebrown1957]

What we need is a solution to block “unknown” and “no caller ID” numbers. I realize that people have the right to block their number during a call, but I also have a right to block their unsolicited harassment.

 

[Apple_Robert]

What we need is a solution to block “unknown” and “no caller ID” numbers. I realize that people have the right to block their number during a call, but I also have a right to block their unsolicited harassment.

To block " unknown call or no caller ID numbers," create a contact, (mine is 'No Caller ID') input 0000000000 for the number, and then scroll down the contact and click on' block this caller.'

 

[dalebrown1957]

i use youmail to block numbers along with hiya and mr number. i assigned hiya to my cell and mr number to my home number. youmail has a free version that works great, you can blacklist numbers, change messages, assign messages to certain callers. very versatile.

 

[Guyatcomputer]

Good news for you, Apple has had that feature available for years in the Do Not Disturb setting. Enjoy.

No, Apple. I don’t want a blacklist feature. Considering my blocked callers list has grown into an unwieldly list of numbers that’s hard to sort, manipulate and maintain, I just want a whitelist feature.

If you’re not in my Contacts, I don’t want my iPhone to ring. Period.

We are just too connected in this world. If I can make my Facebook and Twitter accounts private and only allow access by invite, my phone number should work the same way.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

Good news for you, Apple has had that feature available for years in the Do Not Disturb setting. Enjoy.

Again, Do Not Disturb stops ALL notifications. Just because I don’t want calls doesn’t mean I don’t want to get notified when I receive Twitter DMs, WhatsApp messages, iMessages, updates on Deliveries, Calendar invites...

 

[Guyatcomputer]

Again, Do Not Disturb stops ALL notifications. Just because I don’t want calls doesn’t mean I don’t want to get notified when I receive Twitter DMs, WhatsApp messages, iMessages, updates on Deliveries, Calendar invites...

That's fair. I traditionally have my phone on silent and majority of apps set to no notifications anyway, so that didn't even cross my mind.

 

[BadAppleCore]

I’m told some Android phones actually allow blocking all but contacts. But their security is weaker than IOS. Apple customers have been complaining about this for years & Apple management does nothing but self glorifying media promotions. The bureaucrats at Apple would be best to get a government job where the specialty is pretending to be effective.
[doublepost=1521246454][/doublepost]

This pretty much happens on my home phone.

If its on the whitelist, phone rings as normal.

If not, or its withheld/unknown, the caller is asked to leave a short message identifying themselves. after that my phone rings, slightly different tone, I can check the message, decide if I want to take the call, either once only or whitelist the number, or hang up.

If they don't leave a message, as bots don't (yet) and 'Geoff from Crappy Insurance Ltd' knows he's not going to get answered so doesn't bother, the call ends and I'm none the wiser.

My home nuisance calls have dropped to zero since getting this phone. I don't know why apple can't adopt similar software to do the same.

Apple CAN make the fix. They just refuse. And that means they have a financial incentive NOT to otherwise they would solve the junk phone call issue for their customers to keep loyalty.
[doublepost=1521246656][/doublepost]

What I found is working for me: when I receive e-mail spam, is to sign them up to pornographic websites. One idiot was stupid enough to SMS spam his name and phone number to me so I signed him up to a porn site, created a story he was seeking group BBW hookups and contact him on his phone number. I encourage everyone to return the spam favours - they are people too who just need some anonymous love not your money.

I did something similar once. Forwarded a spam for baby diapers back to another spammer. He actually responded to me “funny man.” Lol.
[doublepost=1521246969][/doublepost]

Wow, what total nonsense.

And yet you have zero facts to offer, right? Nope.
[doublepost=1521247228][/doublepost]

You know the contact information was likely spoofed too, right? What you probably did was sign up a perfectly innocent person to receive massive amounts of porn. Congratulations.

So you toss an insult to the guy and offer ZERO solutions of your own to a problem.

 

[D.T.]

Ideally, I would like the app (or any app) to be able to block the call without going to voicemail, much less ringing. Sending all calls to voicemail means you have to constantly delete hangup, spam left voicemail.

Oh I agree, I was just trying to quality the behavior [as designed]. Interestingly, I get very few voicemails, but can switch to ring-and-flag and the noise triples (so I guess I'm suggesting robo calls tend to hang up before VM ...[?])

 

[Doeeyes9908]

I wish there was a more sophisticated system of blocking robo-calls then blocking the onsey-twosey.

I understand there are apps that advertsise to do that, most seem to require a subscription which I'm not about to do.

[doublepost=1521249093][/doublepost] Download the Call Protect App from the App Store. It blocks all calls soliciting and malicious. I saw it on twitter as a beta app and love it. It’s amazing to see the callers come through 11xs Inc less than 1 minute!!! The app shows when they call and the time but shows they’re blocked and what kind of threat they are.

 

[BadAppleCore]

[doublepost=1521249093][/doublepost]
Download the Call Protect App from the App Store. It blocks all calls soliciting and malicious. I saw it on twitter as a beta app and love it. It’s amazing to see the callers come through 11xs Inc less than 1 minute!!! The app shows when they call and the time but shows they’re blocked and what kind of threat they are.

Why waste time looking at junk calls at all? Just that task shouldn’t be forced upon you. And The Apple “solution” is to block each call you don’t want ONE BY ONE .... which isn’t a solution at all because the junk callers don’t use the same phone number over & over. They switch phone numbers routinely. And you shouldn’t have to pay for a 3rd party app when Apple could easily address customer complaints about this.

 

[Apple_Robert]

i use youmail to block numbers along with hiya and mr number. i assigned hiya to my cell and mr number to my home number. youmail has a free version that works great, you can blacklist numbers, change messages, assign messages to certain callers. very versatile.

I find it rather strange, that Hiya created Mr. Number, that does the same kinds of things the Hiya app does. And in the FAQ for Mr. Number, a lot of the company's replies to a question are download Hiya.

Once you download and use the service, the app sends all your contacts information to their servers for storage, as well as to gather and compare information that they may already have about your contacts.

And all these supposed great features that so many on here support are free in the app and backed by executives from places like Google and Microsoft. How are all these people supporting themselves by offering a free app that is one huge harvest machine for data mining? The company promises that they don't sell data to third parties but, have been caught in lies about it before.

Be careful what you download and sign yourself up for. All is not what it seems, especially with free apps like the ones you are using.

 

[sclawis300]

All due respect, I don't know what world you live in, but in my world that would equate to a painful game of telephone tag. No thanks. Sure, it would be technically possible, but it's not really practical. It's also a tad bit rude.

I live in this world. How is it rude? You want to contact me on my personal mobile phone then you better believe it is going to be on my terms. If you can’t be bothered to leave a message then I can’t be bothered to talk to you.

 

[DWhite1974]

I’m getting several calls a day back to back. I use NoMoreRobo which will at least display the # as spam or robocall if it’s in their database so I know not to answer. Then I use YouMail to mark it as spam. Once that happens that # will get an out of service message. Doesn’t really help with the robocall #’s But I’ve been keeping my phone on DND because the calls are out of control. At night I go thru the calls and mark spam spam spam. Anyone who needs to reach me knows to text or call back. Or send an email.

They’re even calling my work mobile.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I’m getting several calls a day back to back. I use NoMoreRobo which will at least display the # as spam or robocall if it’s in their database so I know not to answer. Then I use YouMail to mark it as spam. Once that happens that # will get an out of service message. Doesn’t really help with the robocall #’s But I’ve been keeping my phone on DND because the calls are out of control. At night I go thru the calls and mark spam spam spam. Anyone who needs to reach me knows to text or call back. Or send an email.

They’re even calling my work mobile.

They are swarming you like a hummingbird to sugar. I hope to be that popular one day.

Hang in there. Keep fighting the good fight.

 

[ignatius345]

As I’ve posted, the problem is EASILY fixable for those of us who want ONLY calls from our contacts ... but the greedy criminals inside Apple obviously have an incentive to force us to accept ANY call & then block one at a time. Tim Cook = sleazy scum.

Jesus, dude, take a breath. Robocalling and caller ID spoofing are problems with the entire phone system. It’s not an Apple problem any more than bad TV programming is a problem with your television hardware.

People here have posted several good solutions for setting up an effective “whitelist” solution using Do Not Disturb, or using third-party call blockers to weed our spammers. Sounds like you’d rather go on an unhinged rant, though, so I guess have fun with that.
[doublepost=1521269374][/doublepost]

Thanks for the tips, but the harassing calls I receive from a “No Caller ID” number are from a person I know who harasses me.

Yikes. Sorry to hear that. Sounds like the Do Not Disturb-based “whitelist” technique people have posted in this thread might be helpful.

 

[bravo515]

Wish there was a way to set DND to not require two calls before people on my favorites rang my phone and watch. I too leave my phone on silent all day. Junk calls are probably the worst this year than any year. FCC do not call is a joke. And blocking the random number is a pointless reaction. If the number isn’t in my contacts why the heck isn’t there an option to set it not to ring?

[doublepost=1521287106][/doublepost]

Wish there was a way to set DND to not require two calls before people on my favorites rang my phone and watch. I too leave my phone on silent all day. Junk calls are probably the worst this year than any year. FCC do not call is a joke. And blocking the random number is a pointless reaction. If the number isn’t in my contacts why the heck isn’t there an option to set it not to ring?

[doublepost=1521287188][/doublepost]

[doublepost=1521287106][/doublepost]

You can. Go to DO NOT DISTURB and toggle on REPEATED CALLS

 

[IJ Reilly]

I live in this world. How is it rude? You want to contact me on my personal mobile phone then you better believe it is going to be on my terms. If you can’t be bothered to leave a message then I can’t be bothered to talk to you.

If you used your phone for business you'd know that "on my terms" is not the greatest plan. The person whose call you didn't take might well be a customer or a client.

No perfect solutions here, just many imperfect ways of managing this increasingly nuisance-ridden environment. It will stay that way until government and the telcos figure out how to reduce phone fraud. It will take new laws and technology.

 

[sclawis300]

If you used your phone for business you'd know that "on my terms" is not the greatest plan. The person whose call you didn't take might well be a customer or a client.

No perfect solutions here, just many imperfect ways of managing this increasingly nuisance-ridden environment. It will stay that way until government and the telcos figure out how to reduce phone fraud. It will take new laws and technology.

That’s why I said second phone. I also said just because it doesn’t work for everyone doesn’t mean it should just not be an option. If it doesn’t work for you you don’t have to participate. I think it would be fantastic and would love the choice.

 

[BigMcGuire]

What I find interesting is how badly this affects people I know. I work with people usually 20 years older than me and they always pick up when their phone rings - be it work or personal. I can count on two hands sometimes the junk calls the office gets during a work day. Me? My phone is on silent upside down on my desk. My wife is in constant communication with me via iMessage and Google Voice will alert me when someone leaves a voicemail. Just kinda sad how this is hitting everyone else.

 

[Apple_Robert]

What I find interesting is how badly this affects people I know. I work with people usually 20 years older than me and they always pick up when their phone rings - be it work or personal. I can count on two hands sometimes the junk calls the office gets during a work day. Me? My phone is on silent upside down on my desk. My wife is in constant communication with me via iMessage and Google Voice will alert me when someone leaves a voicemail. Just kinda sad how this is hitting everyone else.

Tell the folks at the nursing home to stop picking up the phone everytime it rings.

My parents and many coworkers are the same way. I don't care if the person calling is the woman of my dreams. If I don't recognize the number, I am not answering the phone.