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Blocking Abusive Callers

How to block abusive callers on your cell phone

Blocking abusive or unwanted callers from contacting you can be an effective way of dealing with harassment. Most smartphones now offer options for you to block callers. Follow the instructions below to find out how to block unwanted or abusive callers on Android or iOS devices. If you are using a cell phone that is not enabled with iOS or Android you may wish to consult with the technical manual of your phone to see whether there are any settings you can implement as standard.

Finding your phone’s security features

Depending on the model of your phone and the year it was released, you can do a quick Google search to find out what security features it has. Most modern smartphones have dedicated support pages online where you can consult technical manuals for your phone and find out how to activate basic settings including how to block specific callers. You may also be able to do this if you are signed up with a contract and your operator provides you with a login and dashboard area where you manage your payment settings and contract, caller options.

If you are unable to find out how to block callers on your phone (for older phones not using Android or iOS), call your operator’s tech support line for more information. They should be able to direct you with further instructions if your phone model is covered in your contract.

Activating security settings to block abusive callers

To get started take a look at our Android and iOS guides on this page to implement caller blocking or screening for your device. You can also consult our step-by-step Parental Control guide for further help on setting up restricted access for certain applications that can be used for making calls.

How to block calls on an Android smartphone

To block phone numbers on Android smartphones you can follow some of the basic steps listed below.  There are many different phone models that work with Android. Settings and options differ depending on the model of your phone therefore If you are unsure about any of the features that your smartphone has to block callers, such as on a HTC or Samsung device, it is best to consult the help forums and support pages of these brands to get the right information.

Phone Settings

  • 1. Open your phone’s settings tab to create your block list.
  • 2. Choose “Apps.”
  • 3. Select “Settings.”
  • 4. Tap on “Calls.”
  • 5. Select “Call Rejection.”

With this selected, you will be able to set up a rejection list on your device that will automatically block numbers from calling you.

You can also configure your rejection settings further to include automated messages.

Contacts

  • 1. Open your phone app and locate “Contacts.”
  • 2. In “Contacts,” select the contact you wish to block.
  • 3. Tap the “Details” or “Information” option that appears (depending on device, Android version).
  • 4. Select the three dots that appear on your screen.
  • 5. Choose the “Block Contact” option.

To undo this simply repeat the process but select the “Unblock Number” option instead when prompted.

Recent Contacts

  • 1. Open your phone app and find “Recent Contacts.”
  • 2. In “Recent Contacts” select the contact or number you wish to block.
  • 3. When selected, tap on the three dots that appear on the screen, normally visible at the top of your device’s screen.
  • 4. Choose the “Block Number” option.

This process can be repeated and reversed with the “Unblock Number” option instead.

How to block calls on an iPhone

To block phone numbers on iPhone follow these steps below. You can do this with third party apps but in our tutorial we are going to cover the main phone function, FaceTime and Messages.

To block numbers from calling your device

  • 1. Tap the information icon (circle with the i in the middle) under Recents.
  • 2. Select the contact or phone number you wish to block.
  • 3. Scroll to the bottom of your iPhone screen and you’ll be able to tap on “Block this Caller.”

To block numbers from FaceTime

  • 1. Open the FaceTime app and tap the information icon on the number or contact name you wish to block.
  • 2. Scroll down to the bottom of your iPhone screen and tap “Block this Caller.”

To block numbers on Messages

  • 1. Open Messages and find the conversation you wish to block.
  • 2. Tap the information icon and the phone number of name you want block.
  • 3. Scroll to the bottom of your iPhone screen and tap “Block this Caller.”

If you need further help you can consult the Apple Support tutorials that highlight additional options for blocking callers in more detail.