How to Block Unwanted Calls on iPhone, Android and Landline

Blocking a nuisance number is one of the most satisfying small wins in dealing with scam and spam calls. It won't stop every call - scammers change numbers constantly - but combined with call screening it dramatically cuts what reaches you. This guide covers exactly how to block numbers and screen unknown callers on iPhone, Android and your home phone.

How to block a number on iPhone

To block a specific caller:

1. Open the Phone app and go to Recents.
2. Tap the information (i) icon next to the number.
3. Scroll down and tap Block this Caller.

To stop unknown numbers reaching you at all, turn on Silence Unknown Callers:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Phone (or Settings > Phone on older versions).
2. Tap Silence Unknown Callers and switch it on.

Calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent outgoing calls or Siri suggestions will then go straight to voicemail - so genuine callers can still leave a message, but live nuisance and scam calls won't ring through.

How to block a number on Android

Steps vary slightly by manufacturer, but generally:

1. Open the Phone app and tap Recents.
2. Press and hold (or tap) the number, then choose Block / report spam.

To screen unknown callers, look in the Phone app's Settings:

• Caller ID & spam - turn on spam filtering to flag or filter suspected spam.
• Blocked numbers - enable Unknown or Block calls from unidentified numbers to silence calls with no caller ID.
• Some Android phones include Call Screen, which lets the assistant answer and ask who's calling before it rings you.

How to block calls on a landline

Home phones have good options too:

• A call blocker handset. Many modern home phones include built-in nuisance-call blocking, letting you block numbers at the touch of a button and screen unknown or withheld callers.
• Network call-blocking services. Most landline providers offer call protection - some free, some paid - that screens or blocks known nuisance numbers and lets you bar withheld and international calls.
• Anonymous Call Rejection. Ask your provider to reject calls from withheld numbers.
• Bar premium and international calls. Ask your provider to block outgoing premium-rate (09) and international calls if you're worried about expensive call-backs - especially useful for protecting older relatives.

Blocking has limits - so screen and report too

Because scammers constantly switch numbers (and spoof others), blocking one number rarely stops the campaign. That's why the bigger wins are:

• Screening unknown callers so live scam calls never ring you in the first place.
• Checking suspicious numbers with the free phone number checker before you call any back.
• Reporting scam numbers to Action Fraud and forwarding scam calls and texts to 7726, so networks can act on the source.
• Registering with the TPS to cut legitimate marketing calls - see how to stop nuisance and cold calls.

The bottom line

Blocking individual numbers is worth doing, but it's the combination that works: block the obvious offenders, switch on "silence unknown callers" so live nuisance calls go to voicemail, use your landline's blocking features, and report scams so networks can tackle them at source. A few minutes setting these up buys you a much quieter phone.