How to Block a Number on a Cell Phone

Co-authored by Mitch Harris

Last Updated: November 23, 2023 Fact Checked

Telemarketers, political campaigns and other unwelcome callers can disrupt you with ill-timed calls. If you want to get rid of their phone calls altogether, there are several ways you can set up your phone to deny the call. Your options will differ depending upon your handset, wireless provider and application preferences. You can block a number on a cell phone by trying one of these methods.

Things You Should Know

Request your cell phone carrier to block the number. Some carriers require you to contact customer service. Others, like Sprint, allow you to do access this feature for free online.
On an iPhone, click the "i" icon next to the number on your contact list. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click Block this Caller.^{[1]
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On an Android, go to Settings / Call, Call rejection. Enter the number that you wish to block.
You can also register for the Do Not Call list or use third party apps such as Mr. Call to block incoming calls and texts.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Going Through Your Provider

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Use AT&T Call Protect. If AT&T is your provider, you would use an app called Call Protect to block numbers. This used to cost $5 a month when it was called "Smart Controls" but now is free, and allows you to block numbers through your settings or by calling your provider.^{[2]
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- Download Call Protect or myAT&T to add Call Protect to your plan. You can block a specific number on the phone with your provider or manually block calls going through the app settings.
- If you log on to your AT&T settings online, you can manage the numbers you block by going through the "Device Support" tab.
Verizon provides a free service to block numbers that you can download for free. You can block up to five numbers at a time. If you want to be able to block more numbers, or if you want the freedom to block texts as well, you can pay $5/month for a feature called Usage Controls.^{[3]
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T-mobile does not have a specific feature that allows you to block numbers. However, if you call customer service and request to speak to a representative. They may be able to block numbers for you depending on your plan and phone type.^{[4]
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Visit your My Sprint Account Settings. You can block numbers for free if your provider is Sprint. You simply need to log into your My Sprint account settings.^{[5]
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- Click the "My Preferences" tab and from there click "Limits and Permissions" and click "Block Voice."
- From there, you can select the number you want to block.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Blocking Numbers on a Smart Phone

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Add numbers to your blocked list on an iPhone. It's fairly simple to block a number on your iPhone. You simply need to add numbers to a block list through your phone's settings.
- There should be a small "i" icon next to every number on your contact's list. Tap this number next to the contact you want to block.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click "Block this Caller." Tap to block the contact.^{[6]
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Use your Android settings to block numbers. If you have a newer android model, it's fairly easy to block calls. Simply go your settings, then call, and then call rejection. From here, you can enter a number of contact who you wish to block.^{[7]
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- You can also go to your "Phone" app, tap "More," hit "Call history," and then tap a call from the number you'd like to block. From there, tap "Block/report spam."
If you have a Samsung phone, you can block incoming calls for a set period of time by going to your settings. Go to Call Settings, My Device, Blocking Mode, and then Disable incoming calls. You can allow calls from certain contacts to go through as an exception.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Other Means

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If you're interested in blocking calls from salespeople and other spam calls, register for the National Do Not Call List. Registering is fairly simple. You just enter your number and e-mail. You should get an e-mail within 72 hours with instructions on how to complete your registration.^{[9]
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Use Google voice to block certain numbers from any device. If you want to block certain from a number of phones and electronic devices, consider getting a Google Voice account. A Google Voice account will keep all your numbers and contacts in one account. You can easily block numbers through Google Voice.
- You can sign up for Google Voice for free if you live in the US. Log into your Google Voice account and find the number you want to block.^{[10]
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- Select the check box next to the number. Hit "block." This will block this person from contacting you on any phones or electronic devices hooked up to your Google Voice account.^{[11]
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Use phone apps for Android. Not all android phones have specific tech you can use to block calls. However, Android offers many free or cheap apps that can be used to block numbers.^{[12]
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- Mr. Caller allows you to block calls and texts from specific numbers. It also allows you to automatically block unknown callers and block numbers from specific area codes.
- Truecaller is an app that can detect and weed out spam calls. It also allows you to block specific numbers.
- There are many free apps on the app store that can be used to block calls. Browse apps and read reviews to find an app that works for your needs.

Community Q&A

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Question

How do I block texts and calls on my child's phone?

Community Answer

Contact your provider/online account to get the steps and codes to place parental blocks on specific numbers, messages and so on.

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How do I block a call on flip phone?

Community Answer

If the phone doesn't have a call blocking option built in, you can typically block the number on your provider's website. Verizon, for example, allows you to add 5 numbers through their web page that will then be blocked.

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Question

How do I block and text messages on a flip-phone?

Community Answer

Go to your call history, select the number you want to block, then select Block Contact or Block Caller.

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