Posted on by

How To Block A Phone Number? Step By Step Guide

STechCompanyNews.com helps you discover the latest insights on AI, venture funding, innovative companies, and the software tools shaping the future.

You can block a phone number directly through your phone’s built-in settings, your mobile carrier, or third party applications. Here is your options and a beginner friendly, step by step guide for both Android and iPhone devices.

Blocking Methods Compared

  • Device Level Blocking: Free, instant, and completely stops notifications. The caller is sent straight to voicemail.
  • Carrier Level Blocking: Stops the call before it reaches your phone. This is the most secure method but sometimes requires a monthly paid subscription.
  • Third Party Apps: Excellent for identifying spam numbers dynamically. However, they require access to your contacts and call logs, which raises privacy concerns.

Step by Step Guide for iPhone (iOS)

Method 1: Block a Recent Caller

  1. Open the Phone app (green phone icon).
  2. Tap the Recents tab at the bottom.
  3. Find the number you want to block.
  4. Tap the blue “i” icon (information) next to the number.
  5. Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
  6. Tap Block this Caller.
  7. Confirm by tapping Block Contact.

You can learn how to clear cache on iPhone using step by step guide.

Method 2: Block From Messages

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Open the conversation with the number you want to block.
  3. Tap the number or profile icon at the top of the screen.
  4. Tap the info button.
  5. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.

Step by Step Guide for Android

Note: Android steps can vary slightly depending on your phone manufacturer (Samsung, Google, Motorola), but the process is highly similar across all versions.

Method 1: Block From the Call Log (Google/Stock Android)

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Tap the Recents tab.
  3. Tap and hold the number you want to block.
  4. Tap Block/Report Spam from the pop-up menu.
  5. Check or uncheck the “Report call as spam” box.
  6. Tap Block to confirm.

Method 2: Block From Samsung Devices

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Tap Recents.
  3. Tap the phone number you want to block.
  4. Tap the “i” icon (Details).
  5. Tap Block located at the bottom of the screen.
  6. Tap Block again to confirm.

Alternative Solutions for Beginners

Silence All Unknown Callers

If you want to avoid calls from any number not saved in your contacts, you can silence them automatically.

  • iPhone: Go to Settings > Phone > toggle Silence Unknown Callers to ON.
  • Android: Open Phone app > Tap Three Dots (top right) > Settings > Blocked numbers > toggle Unknown to ON.

Carrier Blocking

Log into your mobile carrier’s official app (such as AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, or T-Mobile Scam Shield). These apps offer free baseline spam blocking and allow you to manage blocked numbers at the network level.

You can learn how to find IP address using beginner’s guide.

What Are The Best Third Party Apps for Blocking Calls and How to Use Them?

The best third party apps for blocking calls are Truecaller, Hiya, and Robokiller. These apps use massive global databases to identify and block spam before your phone even rings. Here is an analysis of the top tools and beginner friendly guides on how to use them.

Truecaller (Best Overall)

  • Pros: Largest global database; highly accurate caller ID; blocks text spam.
  • Cons: Free version contains ads; requires uploading your contact list to their database.

Hiya (Best for Privacy)

  • Pros: Clean interface; no ads; does not sell your personal data.
  • Cons: Best features (like automatic blocking) require a premium subscription.

Robokiller (Best for Stopping Telemarketers)

  • Pros: Uses “Answer Bots” to waste scammers’ time; highly customizable.
  • Cons: No functional free tier; requires a paid subscription after the trial.

How to Setup and Use Truecaller

Truecaller is available for both Android and iPhone. Follow these steps to set it up:

Step 1: Download and Grant Permissions

  1. Download Truecaller from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  2. Open the app and tap Get Started.
  3. Grant permissions for Calls, Contacts, and SMS when prompted.
    Note: The app needs these to identify who is calling you and filter spam.

Step 2: Enable App Integration (Crucial for iPhone Users)

If you are on an iPhone, iOS requires you to manually give the app permission to block calls:

  1. Open your iPhone Settings.
  2. Scroll down and tap Phone.
  3. Tap Call Blocking & Identification.
  4. Toggle Truecaller to ON.

Step 3: Configure Your Blocking Settings

  1. Open the Truecaller app.
  2. Tap the Manage Spam shield icon (usually at the bottom or top right menu).
  3. Choose your protection level:
    Reject automatically: Automatically hangs up on known spammers.
    Show warning: Your phone rings, but the screen flashes red with a spam warning.
  4. (Optional) Toggle Block top spammers to ON to block the most reported numbers in your area.

How to Setup and Use Hiya

Hiya is ideal if you want a simpler, ad-free experience.

Step 1: Initial Setup

  1. Download Hiya from your app store.
  2. Open the app and complete the basic setup tutorial.
  3. If using an iPhone, repeat the steps above (Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification > toggle Hiya to ON).

Step 2: Choose What to Block

  1. Open the Hiya app and tap the Protect or Settings tab.
  2. You will see categories like Fraud and Nuisance.
  3. Tap on a category and choose your action:
    Block: The call is stopped completely.
    Send to Voicemail: The caller can leave a message, but your phone won’t ring.
    Alert: The phone rings but shows a warning label.

A Vital Privacy Warning for Beginners

Third party apps work via crowdsourcing. To identify scammers, they look at your contact list to build their directory. If you are deeply concerned about data privacy, stick to your phone’s built-in block buttons or use your phone carrier’s official security app (like AT&T ActiveArmor or Verizon Call Filter), which already have access to your network data.