How To Block Calls on Your Phone (Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T)

There are a lot of reasons why you might want to block a certain number. Whether you get too many spam calls or an old flame is just not flaming anymore, you have a right to tell callers, “No, thank you.” After all, it’s your phone, your time, and your life. There are a wide variety of ways to accomplish this. Many cell service providers have their own methods in place for blocking calls, as do different types of phones. Below, we’ve shared call blocking methods for three of the most popular service providers and for iPhone and Android devices.

Block Calls on Verizon

Let’s start with what is widely considered the best and most popular service provider. Verizon has a simple system in place for blocking numbers on cell phones or landlines.

How to Block Calls Through Verizon’s Website

Verizon allows users to block up to five lines on your cell phone or family plan for 90 days for free. You can do this either on a desktop computer or through the Verizon app. (It is easier and more permanent to block on your phone, which is covered further down in the article).

Desktop:

1. Sign into My Verizon.
2. Go to Blocks page.
3. If you have multiple lines applied to your account, select the one that you want to block calls to.
4. Click Block Calls & Messages.
5. Enter the number you want to block calls from.
6. Click Save.

Verizon App:

1. Open the app.
2. Tap Navigation Menu.
3. Tap Devices.
4. Tap Manage.
5. Tap Controls.
6. Tap Call & Message Blocking.
7. Enter your My Verizon password.
8. Tap Add Number.
9. Enter the number.
10. Tap Block Number.

Note: These steps will block messages as well.

Block Calls to Your Verizon Landline

Verizon calls this landline service Call Block. It allows members to immediately block incoming calls from certain numbers. When a blocked caller tries to call you, they will hear a message stating your number is not accepting calls at this time.

1. Pick up your landline receiver and listen for the dial tone.
2. Punch *60 into the phone. In some areas, you may need to punch 3 instead.
3. Follow the prompts in the voice recording. They will direct you to add, change, or remove numbers as desired.

If you want to deactivate Call Block on your landline, use *80.

How to Block Calls on AT&T

AT&T also allows you to block calls to cell phones or landlines using the following steps.

Block Calls to Your AT&T Cell

AT&T Call Protect allows you to block as many calls as you want for up to 30 days. Blocks can be renewed using the AT&T app. Set up Call Protect using the following steps.

1. Open the AT&T app.
2. Enter your number.
3. Tap Continue.
4. You may be texted a 6-digit pin to enter. If so, enter it now.
5. Tap Verify.
6. Accept the terms and conditions.

You will be taken to a page where you can manage numbers on your block list.

Block Calls to Your AT&T Landline

First of all, call blocking for numbers with area codes 900 and 976 are automatically blocked free of charge. To block additional numbers on your landline, complete the following steps.

1. Pick up your landline receiver and listen for the dial tone.
2. Punch *60 into the phone.
3. Press #.
4. Dial the number you want to block.
5. Press # again.

As with Verizon, you can deactivate Call Block by pressing *80.

How to Block Calls on Sprint

Sprint makes blocking numbers extremely easy and straight-forward. Note that you need the appropriate permissions to be able to block callers this way.

1. Sign in to Sprint.com.
2. Click My Preferences.
3. Look under Limitations and Permissions and click Block Voice.
4. Select the number you want to block.
5. Choose from the blocking preferences.
6. Enter the number to officially block it.
7. Click Add Number.
8. Click Save.

If you want to remove a number to begin accepting its calls again, simply return to this area and click Remove next to the number in question.

Block Calls Using Your Device

Block Calls on iPhone

If you have an iPhone and wish to block a number, these simple steps can make it happen. Blocking a caller or contact will block calls, texts, and FaceTime calls.

1. Locate the number in your call history.
2. Tap the “i” for information.
3. Tap Block this Caller.
4. If the number is not already associated with a contact in your contact list, you will be prompted to make a contact.

If you want to block an entire contact, including all numbers associated with that contact, do the following.

1. Go to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification>Block Contact
2. Select the contacts you want to block.

You can easily go back to this location to unblock contacts.

Block Calls on Android

As with iPhone, Android call blocking will also block messages from the same number. Block a number using the following steps.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Call+SMS Filter.
3. Turn Block Calls on.

Once Block Calls is turned on, all you need to do is find the number you want to block and hold your finger down on it to bring up new options. Then tap Block Number and OK.

Block Calls with the Do Not Call Registry

If you’re blocking calls because you’re tired of spam calls, make sure to add your number to the Do Not Call Registry. You can do this by going to their website or calling 888-382-1222. Your number will be added within 24 hours, but it could take up to 31 days for spam calls to completely stop.

This method is not as useful as it was ten years ago, thanks to auto dialers and minimal enforcement. Because almost no one reports violators, they continue without any consequences. You have the option to answer the call and say “Take me off your list.” Businesses are required to do so. The FTC has established rules for businesses around the Do Not Call Registry, go to this link to learn more and protect your rights as a consumer. If you’re being harassed by a number associated with a business, you can report unwanted calls and file a complaint.

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