Receiving irrelevant text messages throughout the day can hinder your productivity. You can always turn on DND (do not disturb) on your phone, but you may lose messages, alerts, and calls. Instead, you can use the tricks below and block text messages from unknown numbers on iPhone and Android.
iOS and Android have advanced messaging apps to handle text messages like a pro. However, the default settings won’t save you from spam messages on your phone. You will need to change your system settings to prevent text messages from unknown numbers.
Let’s show you all the way step by step.
How to block messages from unknown numbers on iPhone
There are several ways to block strange messages on iPhone. You can block messages from specific contacts, prevent unknown numbers from texting you, and report those messages as spam.
1. Block from Messages app
You can block recipients from the default Messages app on your iPhone.
Step 1: Launch Messages on iPhone.
Step 2: Open a chat. Tap the contact name at the top.
Step 3: Tap the ‘info’ menu.
Step 4: Select ‘Block this caller’ and tap Block contact at the bottom.
You can read our dedicated post to learn what it means to block someone on iPhone.
2. Block unwanted text messages from specific contacts
You can also block text messages from specific contacts using the Contacts application. This is the way:
Step 1: Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Move to the Contacts tab.
Step 3: Select a contact that you want to block.
Step 4: Tap ‘Block this caller’ and confirm your decision.
You should repeat the same thing so that all unnecessary contacts reach your inbox.
3. Block spam messages from unknown numbers
Apple’s Messages app filters unknown numbers on iPhone. However, you will need to enable this option from the system settings.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll to Messages.
Step 3: Select ‘Unknown & Spam’ in the Message Filtering menu.
Step 4: Turn on the ‘Filter unknown senders’ switch. Highlight the SMS filter option from the same menu. Wait a minute or two and open the Messages app.
Step 5: From the Messages app, tap Filters in the top left corner.
Step 6: Find all your text messages neatly categorized under Known Senders, Unknown Senders, Transactions, Financials, Orders, Reminders and Promotions.
Step 7: Tap Unknown sender.
Step 8: Open a conversation with the sender you want to block.
Step 9: Tap the unknown number at the top. Select information from the following menu.
Step 10: Tap ‘Block this caller’ and confirm your decision.
Repeat the same steps for all extraneous numbers from the Unknown Senders menu and remove the spam from your iPhone.
4. Report text messages as spam
If the sender isn’t in your contacts list, you can report the conversation as a spam conversation by sending it to Apple.
Step 1: Open Messages and select a conversation that you want to report as spam.
Step 2: Tap ‘Report Junk’ at the bottom of the chat.
Step 3: Select ‘Delete and report spam’.
You can also block spam calls on your iPhone.
5. Mute notifications from unknown numbers
Today’s marketing companies have become smarter. If you block a number, they may spam you with another unknown number. iOS offers the option to turn off notifications from unknown senders. Here’s how to mute unknown texts on iPhone.
Step 1: Open Messages in iPhone Settings (refer to the steps above).
Step 2: Select Notifications.
Step 3: Scroll to Customize Notifications.
Step 4: Turn off toggle for Unknown Senders on iPhone.
iOS will turn off notifications for all unknown senders on iPhone. You can always open Messages and go to Filters to check for text messages from unknown numbers.
How to block strange messages on Android
The default Messages app on Android has a built-in anti-spam feature to save you from countless unnecessary text messages. Here are all the ways to stop such messages.
1. Enable Anti-Spam in the Messages app
Step 1: Open the Messages app on Android.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner.
Step 3: Select Settings.
Step 4: Move to the ‘Antispam’ menu.
Step 5: Enable the ‘Enable anti-spam’ option from the following menu.
Messages sends some data about your messages to Google that doesn’t include your phone number or content.
2. Block SMS from unknown number on Android
If a specific unknown number dominates the Messages spam box, you can follow the steps below to block that number.
Step 1: Open Messages on Android and select a conversation.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
Step 3: Select Details from the following menu.
Step 4: Select ‘Block and report spam.’
Confirm your decision from the following dialog box. If you’re still getting annoying calls on Android, use a third-party solution like Truecaller Assistant to screen annoying calls and avoid unnecessary interactions.
3. Block unwanted messages on WhatsApp
Check out the steps below to block messages from unknown numbers in WhatsApp. After all, the recipient only needs your phone number to get to your WhatsApp inbox.
Note: The steps are the same for iOS devices.
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp and open a chat from an unknown number.
Step 2: Tap Block at the top. Select Block.
You can also report the contact to WhatsApp.
From now on, that contact can’t reach you on WhatsApp via call or text.
How to block unknown messages on Samsung Galaxy phones
Samsung uses a different Messages app on Galaxy phones. Here’s how to block SMS from an unknown number on your Samsung phone.
Step 1: Open the Messages app on your Samsung phone.
Step 2: Open an unknown chat.
Step 3: Tap Block number at the top.
Step 4: Enable the check mark next to ‘Delete chat’ and tap Block.
Also Read: Is Google Messages Better Than Samsung Messages
Block text messages from unknown numbers: FAQ
1. Can blocked numbers send messages via WhatsApp or Telegram?
Yes, blocked number can easily contact you on other platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. You also need to block such numbers on other platforms.
2. Can the person call me if I block them from texting me?
When you block someone from texting, that person can’t call you either.
Manage messages like a pro
Receiving dozens of messages from unknown numbers creates a mess in your Messages app. Before you miss any of the important messages among the irrelevant, use the steps above and block those text messages from unknown numbers on iPhone and Android.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
