Block calls from unwanted numbers and unwanted SMS

There are cases of unwanted people whose voices or messages are not heard, and it is known that especially in love relationships this is a frequent case. Some companies then take advantage of customers' good faith and use their mobile number to send advertising messages via SMS or, worse, to make commercial calls. So you happen to wait, for example, for an SMS or an important phone call, being very disappointed when the phone rings and discovering that it is advertising.
In this guide we will show you the best apps that we can install on Android and iPhone useful for blocking unwanted calls and SMS . In this way, we will prevent the phone from ringing unnecessarily and prevent unwanted SMS from being received, which can also hide malicious links for our device (advertising apps or even worse than smartphone viruses). By trying one of the reported apps, we will prevent our phone from ringing over and over to make unwanted calls, letting only the legitimate ones pass.
READ ALSO: Block calls from private or unknown number

Block calls and SMS from Android

If we want to receive calls only from the numbers in the address book, we can set up our Android smartphone to let only the calls in the Contacts app pass, ignoring the unknown and anonymous numbers (which will never be able to contact us).
To activate this type of block on the latest versions of Android (8.0 or later), go to the Contacts app, select the menu at the top right with the three dots and then the Settings menu; in the new screen that will open we can add the numbers to be blocked by clicking on the Blocked numbers item; alternatively we can activate an automatic filtering system by tapping on the caller ID and spam item and activating both the items present.

If we have an older version of Android or the version of the operating system is customized by the manufacturer, we can activate the blocking of unknown calls and anonymous numbers by going to the Settings menu, selecting Security and tapping on Block list or similar names (if the system provides this type of block).
In the new screen we activate the block list, then we tap on Call block list and activate all the items that we deem necessary.

We will thus be able to block the numbers that we deem appropriate; if we also want to block SMS, we open the SMS Block List menu and proceed by setting filters by keywords or by phone number. If the Android smartphone did not have these items, we could always use one of the recommended apps in the final part of the guide.

Block calls and SMS from iPhone

If we have an iPhone, we can block phone numbers easily, by opening the Settings> Phone> Call barring and identification app and entering the number to be blocked, so as to no longer receive any calls and no SMS.
If we have installed one of the apps that automatically block calls from call center or commercial numbers such as Truecaller, then you can activate them in this same menu.

If we want to block a single number much faster, we can also act directly from the call log. To do this, go to the Phone app, then to Recent and touch the Info icon next to the phone number or contact to be blocked; in the following screen we scroll until we find the entry Block contact .
From iOS version 13 there is also another option under Settings> Phone, which allows you to automatically silence calls from unknown numbers . By unknown we mean not only that they are not numbers stored in the phone book, but also that they do not appear in received messages or emails.

App to block calls and SMS

We are looking for something more automated to block calls and SMS "> TrueCaller: the number one application for blocking commercial calls.

Should I answer ?: without a doubt one of the best apps to block unwanted calls, since it uses an online list (updated by the users themselves) with which to identify calls and block them even before the phone rings.

Should I Answer 2019: it is the evolution of the previous app, adapted for use on the latest versions of Android (much more restrictive in terms of filtering). It actually replaces the call management app, so that we can act effectively every time we receive an unwanted call. The online lists are the same as the previous app, therefore highly effective.

NQ Call Blocker is a free and unrestricted app that blocks unwanted calls and protects privacy. You can easily create a blacklist, reject calls, send them directly to voicemail and even set up an automatic SMS to send to filtered contacts.

Mr. Number is the most popular and powerful call blocking application available on Google Play, an anti-spam for Android phones. It is an app capable of blocking the reception of unwanted SMS and filtering calls from specific numbers. You can also create rules by blocking calls and messages from a prefix or from abroad. It's not that easy to set up, but if you use it well, it should guarantee full privacy.

Call Control Blocker serves, as the title suggests, to block calls from some specific contacts. It also works in preventing SMS reception so you don't waste time reading annoying commercial messages.

Calls Blacklist allows you to filter unwanted calls and SMS from unwelcome numbers by blacklisting them. The Android app is easy to use and light, with no battery power consumption. Blacklisted numbers are blocked and silenced.

SMS Blocker instead allows you to block messages considered spam so that no notification or ring is received. Also of this app there is a paid version to unlock all the functions.

Handcent SMS replaces the standard interface for reading and sending SMS. In the Privacy section there is an option to block the reception of SMS from specific blacklisted numbers.

Whoscall serves to block calls and SMS identifying, in a few seconds, who is calling even if the number is not in the directory.

iPhone

If we are looking for specific apps to block calls from unwanted numbers on the iPhone, here are the best available in the App Store:

• Callblock: excellent for blocking incoming calls, using both online lists and creating your own personal list of blocked numbers.
• Mr. Number: identical to the Android app, it allows you to effectively block unwanted calls.
• Truecaller: the number one app in this category, very effective in blocking calls from bots and robots, which can collect consents without the user's notice.
• Hiya: very effective app to get any type of lock on iPhone, including blocking via updated online list.
• Whoscall: identical app to the one already seen on Android.

If we are looking for a way to block phone numbers from the landline, please read our guide on how to block unwanted commercial calls on landlines .