Is someone out there not taking the hint that you really, really don’t want to talk to them anymore? Maybe it’s time to block ’em.
Thanks to Apple’s just-released iOS 7 update, you can finally block phone calls, text messages, or FaceTime calls from a specific contact or phone number—or even an entire group of contacts, if you wish.
You can block callers directly from the Recent list in the Phone app.
Blocked contacts who try to call you will roll to voicemail, while text messages and FaceTime calls from the shunned party will simply disappear into the ether.
So, let’s say there’s a cold caller who just interrupted your delicious dinner. Want to block ’em?
- Open the Phone app, tap the Recents tab at the bottom of the screen, then tap the little “i” (for “info”) next to the number that just called you.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page, then tap “Block this Caller.” Done.
You can managed your “Blocked” list from the Phone section of your iPhone’s Settings app.
OK, so what if a frenemy in your iPhone’s address book keeps pestering you with a barrage of nasty texts?
- If your annoying pal called you recently, you can always follow the steps above: find your frenemy on the Recents list in the Phone app, then open their contact card and tap Block this Caller.
- No recent calls from your bothersome, so-called friend? Tap Settings, Phone, then tap Blocked under the Calls heading. Tap Add New, then find the person you want to block in your Contacts list.
- You can also block an entire group of contacts by tapping Group in the top-left corner of the screen.
Had a change of heart about a friend or phone number you blocked? Here’s how to unblock ’em…
- Tap Settings, Phone, then Blocked.
- From right to left, swipe the contact name or number you want to unblock, then tap the red “Unblock” button that appears. You can also tap Edit in the top-right corner of the screen, tap the red circle next to a number or contact, and then tap Unblock.
Have more iOS 7 questions? Post ’em below, or send me an email.
