Have you ever had the need to block someone from texting you? Perhaps the relationship is no longer a healthy one, perhaps an unknown entity is texting thinking you are someone else, regardless of the reason ultimately you no longer wish to receive their text messages.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to block someone from texting you. Cell phones have the capacity to globally block any "unknown numbers" or specific phone numbers can be blocked.

Blocking Unknown Numbers
Blocking unknown numbers will prevent anyone not in your contact list from reaching out to you. This can be used as a  parental control if a young child has access to a cell phone, or it can be used if you simply want to avoid any telemarketing or spam messages.

To Block an Unknown Number on an Android
From the phone app tap More > Call Settings > Call Rejection.

Next, tap 'Auto reject list' and then toggle the 'Unknown' option to the on position and all calls from unknown numbers will be blocked.

To Block an Unknown Number on an iPhone
From the phone app tap More > Call Settings > Call Rejection.

Next, tap 'Auto reject list' and then toggle the 'Unknown' option to the on position and all calls from unknown numbers will be blocked.

Blocking Specific Phone Numbers

Follow these steps to block specific numbers on Android from texting.
Most Android phones have a native number blocking feature. This means that you can block numbers from calling and texting you through the settings of your Android phone. Calls from blocked numbers will go straight to voicemail and text messages from blocked numbers will go undelivered. Below, we provide you with general instructions on how to block numbers from contacting you.

Please note that the instructions for blocking numbers varies from phone to phone and the steps to do so may be unique to your specific device. The steps provided may not be specific to your device it will give you a general idea of where to find the settings

In your messaging app > settings > message settings > block messages > add specific number to block

Follow these steps to block specific numbers on iPhone from texting or messaging.

Tap on a messages from a number you would like to block
Tap the arrow to the right of the phone number
Tap Block this caller at the bottom

In addition to the controls and settings whithin a cell phone, additional filtering and blocking options exist. Consider taking these setps to limit unwanted text messages.

Add to Spam
In order to prevent someone from texting you simply add their contact to a spam list. To do so, go to your list of text messages, hold the message coming from the unwanted number. Most messaging apps will prompt a menu with three options one of the options is typically “Add to spam numbers.”, select the option and verify, future text messages from that number will no longer reach your phone.

Talk to Your Carrier
Every cell phone carrier has internal methods for blocking cell phone numbers on individual devices. Almost all carrier websites have a tab that lets you block texts and emails, if you are unable to locate the tab on your carrier website simply contact your carrier’s customer service and they will block the number for you.

SMS Blocking Apps
There are also a number of SMS blocking apps that appear when searching “SMS block” in the Google Play store. Most applications are similar with minor functional differences. In most of these apps you can block unknown numbers or block specific numbers. Some of the applications allow you to manually enter a phone number to block a specific person.  

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Article Date: August 25, 2020