How to

How to Block a Number?

In simple and easy steps, this ultimate guide will teach you everything you should know to avoid compromising your privacy or getting disturbed by the unwelcomed numbers and contacts trying to reach you on your Android, iPhone, or landline.

The rapid advance in technology has made connections easy. It was once unimaginable to communicate with somebody only a few miles away. Today, time and distance are no longer communication barriers.

But like the famous old saying, “Everything comes with a price.” Ultimately, the price we have to pay is “attention.” Because with such easy access to each other, we are bound to find ourselves in unwanted situations.

Since it is possible (and encouraged by social networking platforms) to try and connect with anybody, anywhere, anytime, people are prone to assume it’s okay too. But it’s not always okay to call for somebody’s attention without realizing that you might be disturbing them.

The world is filled with people who do not realize or simply do not care if they’re disturbing somebody by calling them out of nowhere at inappropriate times or texting them like spammers.

As it is easier to put on shoes than carpeting the world, it’s easier to simply block a number or contact from calling or texting to disturb you. Or, when you must call a number but do not want your number shared with them, you can simply block or hide your number when calling.

Table of Contents

How to block a number when calling

Using *67

The go-to method for blocking a number when calling is to dial *67 before the number you’re calling. It will hide your number and read “Private” or “Blocked” on the Caller ID.

This method is free and works whether you’re using a smartphone or landline.

And if you want to skip the hassle of having to dial *67 before every call to hide your number, you can opt for changing the settings on your smartphone to hide your number when calling by default.

Here’s how.

How to block a number when calling on Android

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Open Menu
  3. Open Settings
  4. Select Call Settings
  5. Open Additional Call Settings
  6. Select Caller ID
  7. Choose Hide Number

How to block a number when calling on iPhone

  1. Open Settings
  2. Select Phone
  3. Tap on Show My Caller ID
  4. Use the Toggle Switch to hide your number

Asking your carrier

You can also use other methods to block or hide your number when calling. These include asking your carrier to hide your number without having to *67 before the number you’re calling or changing Caller ID settings.

However, this will restrict you from calling numbers set to block private or blocked numbers.

Using a burner app

Can you make a call without using your phone number? Yes, by using a Burner App.

This method allows you to call or send texts to phone numbers using your internet connection while your number remains hidden.

You may choose from options like Burner, Hushed, and Google Voice.

However, make sure to choose what suits you best. For example, Google Voice requires you to use a Google account. While this does allow you to avoid using your phone number, it might lead to you sharing your Google account information.

How to block a number from calling

Problems exist to be solved. So if you must keep your phone with you at all times, but you do not want to be disturbed by unwanted calls, you can follow these quick and easy steps to stop your phone from ringing unwantedly.

How to block a number on Android

While many Android devices are out there, these methods will most likely work for your device (unless you need to upgrade).

1st method

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select Recents.
  3. Long press the number you want to block.
  4. Select Block/report spam.
  5. Select Block.

2nd method

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select the 3 dot menu button that appears on the top right corner.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Select Blocked Numbers.
  5. Select ADD A NUMBER.
  6. Enter the number and tap Block.

You can use the toggle switch appearing on the top to block all unidentified callers from calling you.

How to block a number on Samsung

Samsung covers a significant share of the Android market. If yours happens to be one of them, these are the quickest steps to block a number from calling you.

From the Contacts app:
  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Locate and tap on the contact you want to block.
  3. Select the More menu appearing on the bottom right corner.
  4. Select Block contact.
  5. Select Block again to confirm.
From the Phone app:
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select the 3 dot menu.
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Select Block numbers.
  5. Select ADD PHONE NUMBER.
  6. Enter the number and select +.

You can use the toggle switch appearing on the top to block all unidentified callers from calling you.

How to block a number on LG

To block a number that called you:
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select Call history.
  3. Locate the number you want to block.
  4. Tap the info icon that appears right next to the number (it looks like an “i” inside a circle).
  5. Select the 3 dot menu appearing on the top right corner of your screen.
  6. Select Block number.
To block a number from the dialer:
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Tap on the dialer screen.
  3. Select the 3 dot menu.
  4. Open Call settings.
  5. Select Call blocking & Decline with a message.
  6. Select Blocked numbers.
  7. Select +.
  8. Choose from Contacts, Recent calls, New number.
  9. Select or enter the number.

How to block a number on OnePlus

OnePlus has grown to become a popular choice for Android users. Its OxygenOS is lightweight and offers an experience very similar to stock Android. So if you have a OnePlus on your hand, you can follow these steps to block a number from calling you.

Block a number from the Phone app:
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Blocked numbers.
  4. Select Add a number.
  5. Enter the number.
  6. Select Block.

How to block a number on Huawei

Easiest
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Locate the contact/number you want to block.
  3. Tap the info icon (which looks like i) right next to the number.
  4. Select the 3 dot menu.
  5. Select Block contact.
Filter and block
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select the 3 dot menu.
  3. Select Blocked.
  4. Select Settings.
  5. Select Call block rules.
  6. Choose from the different toggle switches to filter and block calls.
To block a number
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select the 3 dot menu.
  3. Select Blocked.
  4. Select Settings.
  5. Select Blocklist.
  6. Select +.
  7. Enter number.
  8. Or select the 3 dot menu to enter the contacts menu and block individual contacts.

How to block a number on iPhone

To block a number that called you:
  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Select Recent.
  3. Locate the number you want to block.
  4. Tap the info icon that appears right next to the number (it looks like an “i” inside a circle).
  5. Select Block this Caller.
  6. Tap on Block contact to confirm.
To block a number in your Contacts:
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Phone (you can also select Messages or FaceTime).
  3. Select Blocked Contacts.
  4. Scroll to the bottom and select Add New.
  5. Choose the contact you want to block.
Silence Unknown Callers
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Phone.
  3. Scroll down to use the toggle switch to enable Silence Unknown Callers.
Do Not Disturb
  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Do Not Disturb.
  3. Use the toggle switch to enable Do Not Disturb.
  4. Scroll down to use the different toggle switches and options to best suit you.

Asking your carrier

If there’s a number you want to stop from contacting you, you don’t want to bother having to enter the number all over again every time you switch handsets. Instead, you can ask your carrier to block the number for good on a service level, so you don’t have to spend so much time trying to avoid wasting time.

Choose what suits you best from these big carriers in the US.

Using third-party apps

If you want to block a number on your Android phone but don’t want to bother going through the phone or carrier settings, you can head to the Google Play Store and choose from the top third-party call blocking apps that will do the job for you.

How to block a number on a landline

A landline isn’t arguably as “smart” as a smartphone. Nevertheless, you can choose from these simple methods to block a number from calling you on a landline.

Quickest

  1. Dial # followed by the number you want to block (with area code) followed by #.
Note: To unblock a number, dial * followed by the blocked number (with area code) followed by *.

Using *60

  1. Pick up the receiver & dial *60.
  2. Follow the instructions to block a number.

These are the quickest methods to block a number from calling you on a landline. And all you need to use them is just your landline. The downside is that you can usually stop up to 12 numbers.

Note: To stop blocking the numbers you’ve added, dial *80.

Block the most recent call

  1. Dial #01#.

National Do Not Call Registry

If you haven’t already added your number to the National Do Not Call Registry, it might be a good idea to do that.

While it would have made more sense for there to be a National Call Me Registry where people voluntarily registered their numbers to be targeted by telemarketers, for now, you are a target unless you don’t wish to remain one.

You can register your phone or landline number for free. It won’t guarantee that your landline will never ring again to disturb you, but it will help avoid legitimate telemarketers.

However, you may continue to receive calls from spammers and scammers who do so illegally. In that case, you may report them to the FTC.

Use a call-blocker

You can choose from popular call-blocking software (like Nomorobo) and devices (like CPR V5000 or Maheeta Call Blocker). These might cost you a few extra bucks, but it’s not much for securing your privacy. So choose whatever suits your needs best and keep intruders at bay.

Asking your carrier

You can also check out the call-blocking services that usually come free or with minimal extra fees in some cases.

Verizon landline

If you’re using Verizon, dial 1160 to activate call blocking. For deactivation, dial 1180.

AT&T landline

If you’re using AT&T, you may need to press 3 after dialing the star code for call blocking activation (or deactivation).

Spectrum landline

If you’re using Spectrum, you can use the call-blocking service after activating it online. But it’s worth it because then you can block up to 30 numbers using the star code method. You also get a special Nomorobo successor with the service, so there’ll be no more robocalls by default.

My Cox landline

As a Cox customer, you can block up to 31 numbers by using the star code method.

CenturyLink landline

On a CenturyLink landline, dial *78 to reach the update center to configure call blocking features.

Or call 888-(your area code)-8052.

Frontier landline

Frontier users can block up to 12 numbers (6 in some areas).

How to block a number from texting

Sometimes you might want to block a number from calling you; sometimes, it’s the text messages (SMS) that are disturbing you. But once you block a number, you stop receiving calls or texts from them. Learn how to block a number from texting you by following these quick and straightforward steps based on your device to get rid of unwanted texts

How to block a number from texting on Android

How to block a number from a text message

  1. Open the message.
  2. Tap on the 3 dot menu appearing on the top right corner.
  3. Select People & options/Details.
  4. Tap on Block [number] or Block & report spam.
  5. Select Block/OK to confirm.

How to block a number by entering the number

  1. Open Messages.
  2. Tap on the 3 dot menu.
  3. Select Blocked contacts.
  4. Select Add number.
  5. Enter the number and tap on Block.

How to block a number from texting on iPhone

Filter Unknown Senders

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Messages.
  3. Use the toggle switch to enable Filter Unknown Senders.

This feature in iOS allows you to filter text messages from unknown senders. It stores them separately to access later if you’re expecting an important text from a non-contact.

From a text message

  1. Open the message.
  2. Select the number or Name displayed on top.
  3. Select Info from the drop-down menu that will appear.
  4. Select Info again.
  5. Scroll down and select Block this Caller.

Asking your carrier

You can check out the options offered by your carrier to block a number from texting any of your devices on the service. Check out these links below for details:

  • Verizon
  • Sprint
  • T-Mobile
  • AT&T
Tip: If you’re using Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, or Bell, you can report spammers by forwarding the messages to 7726.

How to block a number from texting you on third-party apps

There are tons of messaging apps and services, so there’s no simple way you can stop a number from texting you on apps and services like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, to name a few.

The methods to block a number vary depending on the app or service you’re using. But they’re reasonably easy considering that most successful platforms emphasize user-friendliness.

However, it can be challenging to get rid of somebody so adamant about having access to you that they resort to cheap tactics like using new accounts and numbers to harass you. If that is the case, you should consider filing a complaint to the relevant authority in your area to take further action against the perpetrator.

How to block a number from texting on a Landline

The text-to-landline service allows you to send a message to a landline. Then, a digitized voice will read your text aloud to the receiver. So you can stop texts from a number the same way you’d stop a number from calling by following the quick and straightforward steps in the methods listed above.

Conclusion

It is essential to stay connected, and it has become necessary to remain available for possible opportunities.

However, there are downsides to always being so readily accessible to anyone with a phone and a connection.

First, your phone can become a distraction rather than a tool, hindering you from focusing when needed by bombarding you with notifications, which can stunt your ability to focus and your attention span in the long run.

Second, most people take such ease of access for granted and fail to realize it can be rude and arrogant to demand somebody’s attention without being courteous. Unwanted calls can add to anxiety and stress for some people. The golden rule was to treat people how you’d like to be treated. However, the golden rule is old and is no longer gold. According to the platinum rule, you should treat people how they would like to be treated. If something’s okay for you, it might not be OK for somebody else.

Similarly, if you’re free to give your attention to a conversation, you shouldn’t discard the possibility that the other person might be in a different situation. If it’s imperative to reach out to somebody, it can be a good idea to give them a heads up, ask for their permission to contact them, or schedule an interaction. Unfortunately, many people refuse to understand this.

Third, spammers and telemarketers can exploit your availability to make your phone ring when you aren’t expecting it. Unfortunately, there are more telemarketers out there than there are ways to restrict them from trying to contact you, especially when it’s so easy to get access to contact numbers and addresses through the various databases collecting them online.

To deal with problems like these, claim back your power over your matters because it should be you who decides what deserves your attention, not somebody with a phone and a connection wanting to invade your space, time, and privacy.