How to Block Contacts on iPhone iOS 17

Block contacts on your iPhone is an easy way to prevent unwanted calls, texts, and FaceTime requests. iOS 17 offers a few different ways to block contacts, giving you control over who can and can’t reach you.

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Introduction

Block contact on your iPhone prevents them from calling, texting, FaceTiming, or even sending you calendar invites. It’s a powerful tool for cutting off contact with someone when needed.

The main benefit of blocking a contact is that your iPhone will automatically silence calls and texts from that person. Your iPhone won’t even notify you if a blocked contact tries reaching out. It’s as if they don’t exist in your digital world.

iOS 17 provides three main ways to block contacts:

• Through Phone or FaceTime apps
• Through Messages app
• Through Settings app

This article will provide simple, step-by-step instructions for all three methods. We’ll also cover important details like:

• What happens when you block someone
• How to unblock a contact
• Differences between blocking a number vs an Apple ID

After reading, you’ll know exactly how to control who can and can’t contact you on your iPhone running iOS 17.

Block Contact Through Phone App

The Phone app iOS 17 offers the quickest way to block a contact. Here’s how:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Select the Recents tab.
3. Tap the “info” icon next to the contact you want to block.
4. Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller”.
5. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact” on the popup.

That’s all it takes! This contact can no longer call or text you.

You can also access the block screen through your contacts list:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap Contacts at the bottom.
3. Select the contact you want to block.
4. Tap the “info” icon in the upper-right corner.
5. Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller”.
6. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact”.

Either way, the contact will be instantly blocked from calling, messaging, or even FaceTiming you.

Block Contact Through Messages App

You can also block contacts directly from the Messages app in iOS 17:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap on the conversation with the contact you want to block.
3. Tap the contact name at the top of the conversation.
4. Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller”
5. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact”

This blocks the contact from sending you iMessages, SMS texts, photos, videos, and any other Messages content.

If you don’t have an existing conversation with the contact, here’s how to block them:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap the New Message icon in the top-right.
3. Enter the phone number or Apple ID of the contact you want to block.
4. Tap the “info” icon next to their name or number.
5. Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller”
6. Confirm by tapping “Block Contact”

You don’t have to send them a message to block them. This works even if you just enter their contact info.

Block Contact Through Settings App

For a more permanent block, you can use the Settings app in iOS 17:

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap “Phone”.
3. Tap “Blocked Contacts”.
4. Tap “Add New”.
5. Enter the phone number or Apple ID of the contact you want to block.
6. Tap “Block Contact” to confirm.

Blocking through Settings prevents the contact from calling, messaging, or even FaceTiming you across all apps.

It’s more difficult to unblock contacts when you block them through Settings. We’ll cover how to unblock shortly.

First, a quick note on blocking numbers vs Apple IDs:

• Blocking a phone number prevents calls/texts from that number specifically. The contact can still reach you from a different number.
• Blocking an Apple ID prevents calls/messages from all associated phone numbers and email addresses. This blocks the contact more comprehensively across iPhone and Mac.

Now let’s look at what happens when you block a contact and how to unblock them.

What Happens When You Block a Contact

When you block someone on your ‌iPhone‌, here are the key effects:

• Their phone calls go straight to voicemail.
• Their FaceTime calls are rejected.
• Text messages never reach your device.
• Event invitations are automatically declined.

In other words, it will seem like they can’t reach you at all.

A few other notes on blocking contacts:

• They aren’t notified when you block their number or Apple ID.
• Your info still reaches them. Blocking is one-sided. You can still call, text, or FaceTime a blocked contact.
• Third-party apps may override the block. Some apps use their own messaging systems. Blocking in iOS doesn’t always affect these apps.
• Temporary workaround: If you block someone through Settings, you can allow calls by adding their number to your Contacts favorites. This isn’t a true unblock, just a temporary exception.

Now let’s look at how to reverse a block.

How to Unblock a Contact

Temporarily blocked contacts through the Phone or Messages apps are easy to unblock. But if you blocked someone through Settings, it takes a few more steps.

Here’s how to unblock a contact:

Phone and Messages App Blocks

1. Open the Phone app or Messages app.
2. Tap the “info” icon next to the blocked contact.
3. Scroll down and tap “Unblock this Caller”.

That instantly removes the block so they can contact you again.

Settings App Blocks

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap “Phone”.
3. Tap “Blocked Contacts”.
4. Swipe left on the contact name and tap “Unblock”.

This removes the system-wide block. They’ll be able to call, text, and FaceTime you again.

Now let’s summarize the key differences between blocking methods.

Blocking Contacts: Phone vs Messages vs Settings

Here are the main differences between blocking contacts through the Phone app, Messages app, or Settings app:

Blocking Method	Ease of Blocking	Ease of Unblocking
Phone app	Very easy	Very easy
Messages app	Very easy	Very easy
Settings app	Easy	More difficult

Other differences:

• Blocking in Phone or Messages just prevents calls/texts within those apps.
• Blocking in Settings prevents contact across all apps.
• Blocking an Apple ID in Settings provides the most comprehensive block.

In general, the Phone and Messages options are best for temporary blocks. Use Settings for a more permanent block that can’t be easily reversed.

Now let’s wrap up with some final tips for managing blocked contacts.

Conclusion & Tips for Managing Blocks

Blocking contacts on your iPhone prevents unwanted communication. iOS 17 offers flexible options to block in the Phone, Messages, and Settings apps.

Here are some final tips for managing blocked contacts on your iPhone:

• Check blocked contacts occasionally in Settings. Remove any expired blocks.
• Note that blocking is one-sided. You can still contact blocked people.
• Blocking in Settings prevents all communication. Use this for serious blocks.
• Temporarily allow calls from blocked numbers by adding them to Favorites.
• Blocking Apple IDs provides the most comprehensive block across all your devices.
• Don’t forget to unblock contacts when ready to lift the block.

Blocking unwanted communication is an important iPhone skill. Use the techniques in this guide to control who can contact you on iOS 17. Reach out if you have any other questions!