How to Block Unwanted Calls and Texts: A Comprehensive Guide

Dealing with unwanted calls and texts can be incredibly frustrating. Gone are the days when you needed to memorize a specific number to block these harassers. Instead, you have several efficient methods to protect your privacy and peace of mind. This guide will explore various ways to block unwanted calls and texts on your phone, whether you’re using a traditional carrier or a platform like Google Voice.

Using Call Screening Services

Many phone providers offer call screening services that can help you manage unwanted calls. These services work by allowing you to create a list of approved numbers. Any calls or texts from numbers that are not in your approved list will either go directly to voicemail or receive a message indicating the call was blocked and then terminated. This is a straightforward and effective way to handle unsolicited contacts.

Customizing Call Block Lists with iPhone Contacts

For iPhone users, iOS 7 and later versions provide a handy feature for blocking contacts directly from their contact card. This method is particularly useful for blocking bothersome contacts like exes, telemarketers, or unknown numbers that keep calling. Here’s how you can do it:

Open the contact card of the person you wish to block. Scroll to the bottom of the contact info screen. You will find a 'Block' button. Tap on it to prevent the person from calling you, sending you messages, or reaching you over FaceTime.

By blocking a contact, you effectively secure your phone from further unwanted communication.

Adding to Your Spam Contact List

As an additional trick, many iPhone users find it helpful to save a spam contact in their phone. Whenever you receive a spam call or text, simply add the number to your pre-designated spam contact. This contact will automatically block any future calls or messages from that number. This method ensures that once the spammer is blocked, they cannot harass you again. It’s a smart way to protect yourself from persistent telemarketers and spammers.

To add a call to your spam contact list on an iPhone:

When you receive a spam call or text, add the number to your phone's contacts. Name the contact 'Spam' or something similar to make it easy to identify. Each time you get a spam call, simply add the number to the 'Spam' contact.

Carrier-Specific Solutions

If you’re using a traditional phone carrier, they might offer an additional service to block unwanted calls. For instance, ATT’s parental control service offers the ability to block calls for a small monthly fee, currently around $4.99 per month. This might be a good option if you don’t want to go through the trouble of managing call blocking manually, but you should check the service’s effectiveness before committing.

Google Voice and Spam Filters

For users of Google Voice, there is an even simpler solution. Google Voice provides a built-in spam filter that can block unwanted calls and texts. This filter works effectively because it analyzes the content of incoming calls and messages, applying stricter regulations than many other call blocking services. If a call or text is identified as spam, it will be automatically filtered out.

To use the spam filter with Google Voice:

Go to the Google Voice website or app. Look for the spam filter or similar settings. Customize the filter according to your preferences, and Google Voice will handle the rest.

The spam filter can be particularly useful if you don’t want to do manual work to block unwanted calls and texts.

Jailbreaking for Custom Blocking (iPhone Only)

NOTE: This section is specific to iPhone users, and it involves jailbreaking your phone, which voids the warranty and may introduce security risks.

For iPhone users, if your phone is not jailbroken, blocking calls from a specific number is not possible natively. However, there are third-party apps available that can help you achieve this. One such app is iBlacklist. iBlacklist is a jailbreak app that allows you to block calls and texts from specific numbers by creating a custom white and black list.

Conclusion

Blocking unwanted calls and texts is easier than ever, thanks to the advanced features built into modern smartphones, as well as third-party services and apps. Whether you opt for a carrier’s call screening service, use your phone’s native spam contact feature, or turn to Google Voice’s spam filter, you have several options to help you stay in control of your inbox and keep your phone free from unwanted interruptions.