Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 6: Block text messages through your carrier
• Part 2 of 6: Block text messages on an iPhone
• Part 3 of 6: Block text messages on an Android phone
• Part 4 of 6: Blocking text messages on a Samsung Galaxy
• Part 5 of 6: Using a third-party app
• Part 6 of 6: Managing spam

Junk text messages are annoying and can send you unexpectedly high costs. This especially if your data plan does not have an unlimited SMS bundle. Even before you are presented with the next invoice, you have to nip this problem in the bud. This wikiHow teaches you how to block unwanted text messages. You can block unwanted messages via your phone, provider or by means of an app. There is even a number where you can register spam messages.

To step

Part 1 of 6: Block text messages through your carrier

1. Open your carrier's web page or mobile app. Most carriers offer the option to block text messages or calls through their website or mobile app. For your provider, go to the following websites.
   • T-Mobile: https://account.t-mobile.com or open the My T-Mobile app.
   • Verizon: https://www.verizonwireless.com/my-verizon/ or open the Verizon Smart Family app.
   • Sprint: https://www.sprint.com/
   • AT&T: Open the AT&T Call Protect app.
     • AT&T Call Protect can be found for Android in the Google Play Store, and for iPhone in the App Store.
2. Register as the main account holder. Enter the username and password for your account that you use with your network provider. If it is a family or group subscription, log in with the username and password of the main account holder.
3. Look for the text message blocking options. The layout of the website or mobile app can be different for each provider. Use the following search options to block text messages.
   • T-Mobile: Go to http://t-mo.co/profileblocking and select "Block Message".
   • Verizon: Select "Subscription" and then "Block". Then select "Block calls and messages".
   • Sprint: Select the "My preference" tab. Now select "Restrictions and Permissions" and then "Block Message".
   • AT&T: Select "Block".
4. Select a phone on which you want to block the numbers. If your account is linked to multiple phones, you must select which number the block will apply to.
   • The provider may require you to add an extra function to your account in order to block the text messages.
5. Select the desired blocking option. The providers all have different options for blocking numbers. You have the option to block all messages, block incoming or outgoing messages, block MMS messages or block individual numbers.
6. Select or tap the option to add a number to your blocked contacts list. Depending on the provider's website or app, this may be a button with the text "Block number" or "Add" or a plus sign "+".
7. Enter the number you want to block. Enter the 10-digit number you want to block.
   • You can probably also add a number from your contacts or call history.
8. Select or tap To keep. This will add the number to your blocked contacts list. They will no longer be able to send you messages.
9. Contact your provider for additional technical support. If you need more help with blocking a number, your provider's technical helpdesk should be able to help you further. Contact your provider on the numbers below:
   • AT&T: 1-800-331-0500
   • Sprint: 1-888-211-4727
   • T-Mobile: 1-877-453-1304
   • Verizon: 1-800-922-0204

Part 2 of 6: Block text messages on an iPhone

1. Open the text message inbox. This is the green icon with a speech bubble inside. Tap the icon to open Messages.
2. Tap a message from the contact you want to block. If you have received unwanted messages from this contact, they will be in your message list.
3. Tap on Information. It's in the top right corner of the message. It provides information about the song.
4. Tap the "I" icon. This is opposite the number and shows information about the sender.
5. Navigate down and tap Block this caller. Now the caller can no longer send text messages. At the same time, the caller can no longer call or contact you via FaceTime.
   • Another option is to block text messages from someone who is in your contacts but not in your message history via Settings. Open Settings, then navigate to "Messages". Tap "Phone" and then "Blocked". Select "Add". Now search in your contact list for the person to be blocked. Select this person and he or she will be blocked!

Part 3 of 6: Block text messages on an Android phone

1. Open your text message inbox. This is usually an icon with a speech bubble inside. Tap the messaging app icon to open your inbox.
2. Tap on ⋮. This is the icon with three dots in the top right corner. A menu will then appear here.
3. Tap on Blocked contacts or the like. You will now see a list of blocked contacts.
   • The menu options can differ greatly from each other per phone and provider.
   • If you have a Samsung Galaxy, first tap the three dots icon and then tap "Settings".
4. Tap on Add number. This will add the number to be blocked.
5. Enter the 10 digit number. You can no longer send SMS messages with the entered number. No mention is made of this.
   • You can also block a text message by clicking on a conversation and then tapping the icon with the three dots (⋮). Then tap "Details" followed by "Block and report spam".
   • To unblock a contact, go to the "Blocked contacts" option in the menu, and tap the "x" next to the number you want to unblock.

Part 4 of 6: Blocking text messages on a Samsung Galaxy

1. Open your text message inbox. This is usually an icon with a speech bubble inside. Click the messaging app icon to open your inbox.
2. Tap on Settings. This is the last option that appears in the menu when you click the three-dot icon.
   • The menu options may differ per provider or older Samsung Galaxy models.
3. Tap on Block numbers and messages. This is stated in Settings.
4. Tap on Block numbers. This is immediately the first option on the screen.
5. Enter the 10 digit number. Enter the number you want to block.
6. Tap on +. This will add the number to your blocked numbers list.
   • The exact steps to follow may differ per Android. This is because of the operating system on which your Android runs. Your phone may not have this option. If so, look for an app that blocks text messages. (see below).
   • Another thing you could do is open an unwanted text message and click on the three-dot icon (⋮). Then click on "Block number" and then on "Ok".

Part 5 of 6: Using a third-party app

1. Go to the App Store or to Google Play Store. Tap the App Store icon if you have an iPhone. This is a blue icon with a capital "A" inside. If you have an Android phone, click on the Google Play Store icon. This is the pictogram with a colorful triangle.
   • "Warning" Many of these third-party blocking apps collect user data to resell it for marketing purposes.
2. Tap on it Search icon (only for iPhone). If you are using an iPhone, tap the search icon. This one is in the bottom right corner.
3. Type Hiya in the search bar. For Android, the search bar is in a green frame at the top of the screen. With an iPhone, the search bar is in the center of the screen. You will then see a list of apps that match your search query.
   • Hiya is just one of the many apps that can block text messages. Other apps include "SMS Blocker", "Blacklist", "Call Blocker", and "Text Blocker".
4. Tap on TO DOWNLOAD or to install at Hiya. Hiya has a white icon with a blue purple and pink graphic that resembles a phone. This way you install Hiya.
5. Open Hiya. You open Hiya by tapping the icon on your home screen or in the App menu. You can also tap "Open" in the Google App store or App Store.
6. Check the box and tap To work. Hereby you agree to the terms of service and data policy. Then tap "Get started".
   • Hiya may ask for your permission for certain permissions. When asked if you want to use Hiya by default for making calls and grant access to your contacts, click "Allow".
7. Tap on Blocklist. It is the second icon at the bottom of the screen. It's below the icon with a circle with a line through it.
8. Tap on Add a number. It is the first option in the list.
   • You could also use a recent call or text message to select a contact or message number from it.
9. Add the phone number to block. Enter the 10-digit number of the phone number to be blocked.
10. Tap on To block. This is located in the lower right corner of the menu, in the center of the screen. This blocks the number.

Part 6 of 6: Managing spam

1. Reply to the text message with "STOP". "STOP" is the most common answer to unsubscribe from commercial text messages. Try this if you receive unwanted messages from a service you have subscribed to. This is not a guarantee that this will work, but it is quick and easy to try. If it does not help, it does not harm. You save yourself a lot of time this way. Time that you will most likely lose if you are put on hold with your provider to block the numbers.
   • If you have an SMS signature that is autofilled in the body text, don't forget to delete or turn it off before sending the message.
2. Never reply to unfamiliar advertisements. Some SMS ads are sent by automated programs specifically designed to send ads to random phone numbers. In this case, answering such an ad (even just with the word "STOP") can actually exacerbate the problem. An answer means to the program that there is a real person behind the song, with the result that it keeps sending advertisements. If you receive SMS spam from a source you don't recognize, ignore it. If you keep getting spam, try one of the other methods.
3. Report spam. You can submit spam messages for free with most US providers. To report spam, copy the relevant message and send it to 7726 ("SPAM"). This special service is operated by the GSM Association. This is a trade association for major mobile providers. By reporting spam, you not only help yourself, but also other mobile phone users to banish this annoyance for good.
   • Other countries therefore have different numbers to report spam. In France the number is: 33700. In India the number is: 1909.