How can I block incoming calls on my iPhone?

Many iPhone owners expect that incoming call blocking is a built-in feature of the iPhone. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Such a feature is controlled at the provider level.

UPDATE: Now there are even more options to block calls and texts from incoming numbers on your iPhone. See the complete list here.

Furthermore, most providers fail to offer call blocking to their customers. Providers that do often charge an exorbitant rate for this feature, such as AT&T in the US which offers a service called "Smart Limits" which includes call blocking but comes at a pricey $5 per month.

There are a couple solutions/workarounds that you can implement:

1) For those of you that are jailbroken, there is an app called iBlacklist that will allow you to filter incoming calls and SMS text messages. This is not a free app, but at it's current price of $12.00 (one-time purchase), it can pay for itself fairly quickly vs. pricey provider solutions.

Newest iPhone FAQs

2) Don't block calls, but silence them with a silent ringtone. This will still allow the calls to come through, but will silence the ring so you won't even notice. To set this up, download this iPhone silent ringtone (be sure to right-click or cmd-click and "Save As"), import it into iTunes, and sync it to your iPhone. On your iPhone, add the number you want to block/silence to your contacts and set the silent ringtone as that contact's custom ringtone.

tags:

iPhone Calling

Comments

Pattie replied on August 24, 2010 - 8:01pmPermalink

Thanks for providing the silent ringtone. Saves me the trouble of creating one in GarageBand. I'm annoyed that iPhone doesn't have this capability. I've had AT&T for years and my previous phones have ALL had a call-block feature as part of the phone. It had nothing to do with AT&T. I expected nothing less from iPhone, but hell, it does everything else, so I'm still good...

Anonymous replied on January 3, 2012 - 7:22pmPermalink

I Agree with you 100%. I've had AT&T& for over 20 years. This really bites.

loveq replied on February 4, 2012 - 10:30amPermalink

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http://www.recovery-iphone.com/

rockd1120 replied on September 5, 2010 - 12:03pmPermalink

i blacklist is not $12.00 per month,its a flat rate at $12.00 to buy it,just thought i'd clarify that

Chad Shmukler replied on September 7, 2010 - 11:05amPermalink

Thanks, this was an error on our part. Fixed.

Joe replied on January 5, 2012 - 9:43pmPermalink

That app is only 1.99 now and after reading the reviews I wouldn't download it for free and wouldn't recommend anyone else getting it. Always read the reviews!!

Anonymous replied on August 24, 2012 - 5:11amPermalink

you have to download it from cydia not the app store, the one in the app store is a fake.

Anonymous replied on September 15, 2012 - 2:35pmPermalink

Yes. The jailbreak version through Cydia works great. I have stopped getting these annoying calls. (rather, I get them but they don't interrupt my day)

George Holden replied on October 19, 2012 - 6:52amPermalink

that's what he said in the first place.

scion con huevos replied on March 20, 2011 - 9:23pmPermalink

i sleep on the day because i work at night with the silent rigntone you save my life thank you

henfer replied on December 29, 2011 - 5:29pmPermalink

Such a poor solution. I dont want my contact list poluted with a bunch of telemarketer numbers.

Anonymous replied on January 6, 2012 - 1:54pmPermalink

I created one user - called 'Do Not Answer' and added many phone numbers under that user that are either telemarketers or scammers. I set the ringtone to silent and the vibration to none. If I do happen to look at my phone when one of these calls come in I see the Do Not Answer as the incoming caller. You can add quite a few phone numbers to a given caller so this fits pretty good. Not ideal though.

javenzhi replied on February 4, 2012 - 10:32amPermalink

You can Backup and recovery iphone SMS,Contact,Call list,photo,video on Mac and Windows xp by Cucusoft iPhone Backup Tool Kits,free download in:

http://www.recovery-iphone.com/

Anonymous replied on July 30, 2012 - 3:16pmPermalink

SPEAKING OF JUNK!

Anonymous replied on May 11, 2012 - 10:56amPermalink

Great solution. I just received my first political robo-call on my iPhone. I'm so bummed. Thanks for the idea!

Peter replied on March 13, 2013 - 9:17pmPermalink

Kindly assit how's to setting certain # to block from incoming tkq

Anonymous replied on April 30, 2012 - 7:14pmPermalink

there are databases in Canada and US for DNCL (do not call list) where your number goes into a registry that enforces a do not call list through legislation. usually takes 31 days for the registry to take effect. look it up it can help block most telemarketers, not good for non-profit organisations to be blocked

Benjamin Mark replied on May 2, 2012 - 9:36amPermalink

It's weird that iPhone doesn't have this feature. What is making the developer to develop a solid app and push to istore for free.
There are 100s of free call blocker and call manager for android.

I am missing this app.

Android Galaxy SII replied on May 10, 2012 - 3:19amPermalink

The article basically says why. Apple doesn't allow blacklist/whitelist apps because AT&T doesn't allow it; it's cuts into AT&T's potential revenue. They want to be the one to control call blocking/allowing. It has nothing to do with the capability of the iPhone.

Between the carrier's control and Apple's control of what you can and can't have is just too much. Honestly, when iPhones first came out they were no doubt in a league of their own. Being the techie I am, I almost bought one, but I didn't like how I had to have a "special" iPhone plan. I waited, and fortunately so, because the truth is high-end Android phones have not only caught up with Apple, but in many ways surpassed it. I only need to hold my beautiful looking Galaxy SII up next to the latest iPhone to see it.

pineapplepizza replied on June 16, 2012 - 8:06amPermalink

I don't bloody care about AT&T!
I live in Europe.
Why would our iPhones have to be ruled by some "AT&T + Apple consortium"?
I've had a call filter since my Nokia E71 Symbian days. Had it also on Android.
Apple doesn't allow it, nor does Windows Phone 7.5. How stupid can that be?
Going back to Android. They might be laggy, but we can do whatever we want.
After all, we pay LOADS of money for our "smartphones", but iOS and WP7 are really "dumbphones".

Anonymous replied on June 21, 2012 - 1:27pmPermalink

Thats incorrect! It has nothing to do w AT&T! They have been my carrier for over 20 yrs and ive always enjoyed the use of call blocking capability on every phone ive had w them until i upgraded to iPhone last year. Its a function of iPhone... Or dysfunction i should say...but not AT&T.

Anonymous replied on June 21, 2012 - 1:31pmPermalink

Jessica replied on October 14, 2012 - 8:23amPermalink

i completely agree! That is so dumb. My lil cousin has a boost mobile phone and they can block numbers for free. WTF?!?!?! A $25 dollar phone can do it but a $500 one can't? Apple better get their apps right or they going to lose a lot of people.

Anonymous replied on August 22, 2012 - 12:31amPermalink

Don't trust the DNCL in Canada. Seems to me that nuisance calls increased after I registered- and it was well past the 31 days, too. VERY FRUSTRATING!!!

Anonymously replied on January 30, 2013 - 10:48amPermalink

Regarding the DNCL in Canada . Yes it actually increases the calls because the countries thT our numbers go to " not to call" actually are not legislated by our countries protocol on the DNCL. I advise anyone reading this not to register . I did and shortly after I took my number off the list all the calls stopped.

Anonymous replied on June 20, 2012 - 4:08pmPermalink

I am aggrivated. I have my phone on vibrate so that won't help by making the ring tone silent. I want to block solicitation calls, etc. IPHONE HELP!

Todd replied on June 29, 2012 - 12:36pmPermalink

Each carrier is different, and their policies and offerings change over time. As of today, Verizon says, "You can block calls and message from up to 5 phone numbers at no charge. Subscribe to Usage Controls to permanently block incoming and outgoing calls from up to 20 U.S. or international phone numbers." Usage Controls currently costs $5/month per device. You can apply the free 90 day block at My Verizon > Plan > Block Calls & Messages.

Mike replied on July 3, 2012 - 12:01pmPermalink

I find no way to download the silent wring. Safari will only let me Save as a Web Source or Page Source.

flyinlizzy replied on July 25, 2012 - 8:02pmPermalink

You don't have to download a "silent ringtone". Just use your phone to record 20 secs of nothing. Go in a closet or something that's really really quiet. Record and make it your ringtone for those irritating callers. I like the suggestion to save these numbers all under a single caller named "Don't Answer" or how about "Irritating Caller". Gonna try that, too.

Anonymous replied on August 1, 2012 - 8:12pmPermalink

And the worst part about spam text is unless you step up to unlimited text package, the service provider ( ATT, Verizon, ETC ) have no incentive to do anything about allowing the users to stop the spam text because they get paid for every text you get on your phone regaurdless of where it came from!

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