Whether it’s a constant stream of spam messages or that persistent ex who won’t take “no” for an answer, blocking text messages is something you need to learn how to do. Whether you use an iPhone or an Android smartphone, the process is probably quicker and more painless than you think.
Apple iPhone or Android smartphone
No matter what kind of phone you have, if you’re wondering how to block text messages — and even unwanted phone calls — it’s easy, and we’ll show you how.
Blocking texts in iOS is easy and you can do so directly from the Messages app.
Step 1: Choose the message history from the contact you want to block.
Step 2: Select their Name or Profile photo at the top of the message.
Another way to block texts from known contacts is to add them to your Blocked list. It doesn't really matter whether you use this method or the method outlined above, as either way you’ll block not only messages but also phone calls and FaceTime calls. This saves you from having to go to the Phone and FaceTime apps to block the same person.
Step 1: Open the Settings app, scroll down, and select Apps > Messages.
Step 2: Scroll down and choose Blocked contacts.
Step 3: Select Add new.... Select the contact you want to block. Contacts can only be added one at a time. To remove a contact, select Edit in the upper-right corner, and choose the Minus sign next to the name of the person you want to remove.
Unfortunately, you can’t outright block unknown and private numbers in the same way you can block known contacts. You can, however, filter and separate them from the people you know. This will create a new "Unknown senders" tab in your Messages app, and you won’t get notifications for these. It may not be ideal, but it’s a decent compromise.
Step 1: Go to your Settings app, scroll down, and select Apps > Messages.
Step 2: Scroll down and toggle Filter unknown senders.
Another thing you can do is report spam and junk iMessages. When you get an iMessage from someone you don’t know, there will be a Report junk link. Select the link to forward the sender’s information and message to Apple. The company should deal with the contact and eventually render the person or bot unable to message you again.
You can also email Apple at [email protected]. Keep in mind that you’ll need a screenshot of the message, as well as the email address or phone number that sent the iMessage, plus the date and time you received it.
Apple doesn’t deal with SMS and MMS messages, but you can always report them to your carrier. AT&T, for example, suggests sending the spam message to 7726 ("SPAM" in phoneword). When received, the carrier will look into the message.
The easiest way to block text messages on Android is through Google's Messages app. All Android phones can download and use the Messages app through the Google Play Store, and many come with it by default, so this is the method we're highlighting here as the simplest.
Step 2: Press and hold over a message from someone you want to block.
Step 3: In the context menu that appears, select the Three dots on the right.
Step 5: Alternatively, if you allow the message to open, you can select the Three dots in the upper right corner.
Step 6: Select Block & report spam.
If you're using a different messaging app, there will likely be a specific way to block contacts. However, they tend to follow a similar pattern. For the most part, you'll want to go into your Messages app. From there, you'll generally find a three-dot menu, and in there, you'll find Settings. You can also choose a message and look for an option to block in there. As with all things Android, your results may vary, but that's a good idea of where to look.
Many mobile carriers provide services and additional settings to help their customers block messages from specific numbers, like those from telemarketers. T-Mobile has Message Blocking, Verizon has Block Calls & Messages, and AT&T has Secure Family.
Not long ago, Apple treated independent repair like an act of outright hostility. The Cupertino giant locked down parts with serial-number pairing, while repair tools remained firmly out of reach of anyone outside its authorized repair network. More importantly, the company waged a legal and lobbying battle against right-to-repair legislation.
I've covered enough of these fights over the years to know what a shift looks like. That's why what happened in October 2026 genuinely caught me off guard. The day the iPhone Duo went on sale, what may be the most mechanically complex iPhone to date, Apple pulled off a surprising about-face. It published teardown-style repair manuals for a handful of major components.
Apple's first foldable phone is now on shelves, in short supply, but with an unreal amount of buzz around it. After all, it's the first foldable iPhone, and there's plenty that this phone gets right. But there's also a lot that is either broken or underwhelming. What's peculiar is the dialogue around this phone, and how it has completely overshadowed every other attempt at making a phone with a similar form factor.
I've spent some time with the iPhone Duo, and I've used the Galaxy Z Fold 8 for almost three months now. In my opinion, Samsung deserves more credit. When the Galaxy Z Fold 8 arrived earlier this year, it was celebrated in some circles and ridiculed in others for supposedly copying what Apple would eventually deliver with the iPhone Duo. The dialogue was pretty odd, for multiple reasons. Samsung has been making foldable phones for years, so claiming that it copied a product Apple hadn't even launched was simply absurd.
For years, Samsung’s Galaxy A phones have been some of the easiest recommendations for anyone who wants to go the Android route without paying flagship prices. But that part of the lineup could soon become harder to find at a good price.
According to South Korea’s Electronic Times, Samsung is cutting Galaxy A production by about 20% in the fourth quarter compared to its original plans. Component orders have reportedly dropped by a similar amount, which could mean roughly 10 million fewer phones over the year. Samsung is also said to be considering another production cut of more than 10% next year.