How to Block (and Unblock) a Number on Your Smartphone: A Senior’s Guide to Peaceful Calling

Ah, the telephone—once a marvelous invention that kept us connected to loved ones, important news, and that one friend who could turn a simple “How are you?” into a 45-minute monologue.

But these days? Picking up the phone feels more like inviting a door-to-door salesman into your living room—one who refuses to leave.

“Hello! This is absolutely not a scam, but if you don’t act now, your car warranty, Social Security benefits, and possibly your entire life savings will vanish in the next five minutes!”

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Whether it’s telemarketers, scammers, or that one cousin who only calls when they need money, unwanted calls are a universal headache.

But here’s the good news: You don’t have to suffer through it. Your smartphone has built-in tools that let you block these nuisances with just a few taps.

And don’t worry—if you accidentally block someone you actually want to hear from (like your doctor or your grandkid calling from a new number), we’ll show you how to fix that, too.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to block and unblock numbers on both iPhones and Androids—so you can take back control of your phone and enjoy a little more peace and quiet. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Need to Block or Unblock Numbers

Blocking a number isn’t just about dodging that so-called “IRS agent” who somehow only accepts payment in gift cards. It’s about taking back control of your phone.

Think of it like a sturdy screen door—you decide who gets in while keeping the pesky intruders (and overly persistent salespeople) outside where they belong.

Why Block a Number?

There are plenty of good reasons to give someone the digital boot:

Avoiding Scam and Spam Calls

If you’ve ever answered the phone only to be greeted by a robotic voice warning you about an urgent issue with your bank account (that you don’t even have), you know why blocking numbers is a game-changer.

Scammers are relentless—and sneakier than ever. Some even spoof local numbers to trick you into picking up. Blocking known spam numbers stops these interruptions before they start.

Protecting Your Peace and Quiet

Ever settled in for a nice afternoon nap, only to be jolted awake by a call about a “once-in-a-lifetime” cruise deal? Blocking numbers helps ensure your phone works for you, not the other way around.

Whether you’re reading, watching your favorite show, or just enjoying some well-earned quiet, a blocked list keeps distractions at bay.

Why Unblock a Number?

Of course, sometimes you’ll want to let someone back in through that proverbial screen door.

Reconnecting with a Familiar Contact

Maybe you blocked someone in a moment of frustration (hey, it happens). But time has passed, and now you’re ready to talk again.

Whether it’s an old friend, a family member, or that neighbor who finally figured out how to text instead of calling five times in a row, unblocking lets you reopen the lines of communication.

Fixing an Accidental Block

Hey, we get it—smartphones don’t always make things easy.

One second, you’re trying to hang up on a telemarketer, and the next, you’ve somehow blocked your grandkid’s number. Whoops!!!

If you’ve ever accidentally exiled someone to your phone’s “do not answer” list, don’t worry—it’s an easy fix.

Now, let’s dive into how to actually block and unblock numbers—so you can keep the right people in and the wrong ones out.

How to Block a Phone Number

Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android, blocking a number is quick and painless. Once blocked, calls from that number will either go straight to voicemail (on most iPhones) or be declined automatically (on some Android models).

Let’s walk through the steps so you can enjoy a little more peace and quiet.

(Note: Tech companies love rearranging things. If the instructions below aren’t exact, the tech fairies have probably moved things around. Try searching for the setting on your device. If that doesn’t work, ask a trusted friend or family member for help, or do a quick web search for instructions using your device model and software version.)

For iPhone Users: How to Block a Number

If you’re an iPhone user, blocking a number takes just a few taps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Phone app (the one with the little green icon that looks like an old-fashioned phone—back when phones were still used for talking).
2. Go to your call history by tapping the Recents tab. You can also go to your Contacts list if it’s a saved number.
3. Find the number you want to block and tap the Info button (the little “i” inside a circle).
4. Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller.”
5. Confirm your decision—and just like that, that number will never bother you again.

Extra Tools for Blocking Calls on iPhone

If you’re being flooded with spam calls from unknown numbers, your iPhone also has some built-in tools to help:

• Silence Junk Callers: Your phone can detect and automatically silence calls that have been identified as spam. To enable this, go to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification and turn on Silence Junk Callers.
• Silence Unknown Callers: If you only want to receive calls from people in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, or numbers suggested by Siri, go to Settings > Phone and turn on Silence Unknown Callers.

Troubleshooting Tips

Can’t find the option to block a number? Make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS. If the option still isn’t appearing, you may need to restart your phone and try again.

For Android Users: How to Block a Number

Since Android phones come in all shapes and sizes (Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola, and others), the exact steps may vary slightly. But in general, here’s how to block a number on most Android devices:

1. Open the Phone app (usually a blue or green phone icon).
2. Go to your Call History or Contacts list.
3. Find the number you want to block and tap on it.
4. Tap the menu button (usually three dots or the word “More” in the top right corner).
5. Select “Block number” or “Add to reject list.”
6. Confirm your decision—and enjoy the newfound peace of mind.

Blocking Unknown Numbers on Android

If you’re being flooded with calls from numbers that show up as “Private” or “Unknown,” you can block them altogether:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap More (three dots) > Settings > Blocked Numbers.
3. Turn on “Unknown.”

This will stop calls from private or unidentified numbers, though you’ll still receive calls from numbers that aren’t in your contacts.

Variations Between Android Models

Because different manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and Motorola all put their own spin on Android, you might see slight differences in how blocking works on your phone:

• Samsung Phones: Instead of “Block number,” you may see an option labeled “Add to Auto Reject List.” You can also manage blocked numbers by going to Settings > Call Settings > Block Numbers.
• Google Pixel Phones: You may find blocking options under Settings > Spam & Call Screen.
• Other Android Phones: Some brands have an additional “Spam Protection” setting that automatically blocks suspected spam calls. Check Settings > Phone to see if this feature is available.

If the steps above don’t quite match what you see on your screen, don’t worry—your phone still has a blocking feature, it just might be labeled slightly differently.

A quick search in your phone’s Settings app for “Blocked numbers” should bring up the right menu.

How to Unblock a Phone Number

So, you blocked a number—maybe it was a scammer, a telemarketer, or your cousin Phil, who somehow thinks 6 a.m. is a perfectly reasonable time for a casual chat.

But now, for whatever reason, you need to unblock someone.

Maybe you blocked the wrong number by accident, or maybe Cousin Phil promised to stop calling before sunrise.

Either way, unblocking is just as easy as blocking—it just takes a few taps.

For iPhone Users: How to Unblock a Number

1. Open the Settings app (it’s the one that looks like a tiny set of gears).
2. Scroll down and tap “Phone.”
3. Tap “Blocked Contacts.” This will bring up a list of every number you’ve blocked.
4. Find the number you want to unblock.
5. Swipe left on the number and tap “Unblock.”

And just like that, the number is free to call you again—so make sure you actually want to hear from them before hitting that button.

Alternative Way (Through the Phone App)

If you’d rather not dig through your settings, you can also unblock a number directly in the Phone app:

1. Open the Phone app and go to Recents or Contacts.
2. Find the number you blocked.
3. Tap the Info (i) button next to it.
4. Scroll down and tap Unblock this Caller.

For Android Users: How to Unblock a Number

Since Android phones come in different flavors, the exact steps might vary slightly depending on your phone model. But in general, here’s how you can unblock a number:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the Menu button (usually three dots in the top right corner).
3. Select “Settings” or “Blocked Numbers.”
4. Look for the list of blocked numbers and find the one you want to unblock.
5. Tap the “X” or “Unblock” option next to the number.

Alternative Way (Through Call History)

Some Android phones also let you unblock numbers from your Call History:

1. Open the Phone app and tap Call History.
2. Find the blocked number.
3. Tap and hold the number until you see an option to Unblock or Remove from Block List.
4. Confirm your decision, and the number will be able to call you again.

Final Tips Before You Unblock Someone

• Double-check before unblocking. If you’re unblocking a number because you don’t recognize it, consider looking it up first—you don’t want to accidentally let a spam caller back into your life.
• **If you’re unsure where to find the block list on your specific phone model, check your device manual or search for “Blocked Numbers” in your phone’s Settings app.
• Ask a tech-savvy friend for help. Sometimes, it’s easier to let someone else navigate the settings for you. (Bribing them with cookies also works.)

Now that you know how to block and unblock numbers, you can take full control of your phone’s call list. But before we wrap up, let’s go over some extra tips to make managing unwanted calls even easier. Stay tuned!

Additional Tips and Resources for Seniors

By now, you know how to block and unblock numbers like a pro.

But what if you want a little more control over your calls without fully blocking someone?

Or what if those pesky spam calls just keep coming from different numbers?

Don’t worry—there are a few extra tricks up your sleeve.

Use “Do Not Disturb” Mode as an Alternative

Blocking a number is great for cutting off specific people (looking at you, “Congratulations, you’ve won a free cruise!”), but what if you just want some peace and quiet without blocking anyone permanently? That’s where Do Not Disturb comes in. (See our full guide on it here.)

• For iPhone Users:
  1. Open Settings and tap Focus > Do Not Disturb.
  2. Under Allow Notifications, tap People and select contacts who can reach you while everyone else gets sent to voicemail.
  3. You can also set a schedule so your phone stays quiet during naps, meals, or those times when you just don’t feel like being interrupted.
• For Android Users:
  1. Open Settings and tap Sound & Vibration > Do Not Disturb.
  2. Tap People and choose who can bypass the silence (like family or important contacts).
  3. You can also customize how long Do Not Disturb stays on and set schedules for automatic activation.

This way, your phone will only ring for people you actually want to hear from while silencing everyone else—without the hassle of blocking and unblocking numbers.

How to Report Persistent Spam or Scam Calls

If you’re getting frequent scam or spam calls, you don’t just have to ignore them—you can report them to help stop these nuisances from reaching others. Here’s how:

• For iPhone Users:
  • If you get a scam call, don’t answer. If you do pick up by accident, hang up immediately—don’t press any buttons or engage with the caller.
  • After hanging up, go to Recents in the Phone app, tap the Info (i) button next to the number, and select Block this Caller.
  • You can also report spam numbers to your carrier. Some carriers, like Verizon and AT&T, offer built-in spam detection apps to help identify and report these calls.
• For Android Users:
  • If you get a spam call, don’t answer or interact. Just let it go to voicemail.
  • Open the Phone app, find the call in Call History, tap More (three dots), and select Block & report spam.
  • If your Android phone has Google’s Spam Protection enabled, you may see a Report Spam option pop up automatically after a suspected scam call—just tap it to report.

Other Resources for Reporting Spam Calls

If you want to go the extra mile, you can report scam calls to these official agencies:

• Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Report spam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• National Do Not Call Registry: Register your number to reduce telemarketing calls at donotcall.gov
• Your Wireless Carrier: Many mobile providers let you forward spam texts or calls for review. For example:
  • AT&T: Forward the spam text to 7726 (SPAM).
  • Verizon: Use the Call Filter app to block and report spam.
  • T-Mobile: Forward spam texts to 7726 or use the Scam Shield app.

Take Back Control of Your Calls

Your phone should work for you, not against you.

It’s there to keep you connected—to family, friends, and that one neighbor who somehow forgets their Wi-Fi password every single week. It shouldn’t be a direct line to scammers, robocalls, or that relentless salesperson convinced your air ducts are in grave danger.

Thankfully, with just a few taps, you can block unwanted calls and reclaim your peace. And if you ever need to unblock someone—whether it’s a long-lost friend or a number you exiled in a moment of frustration—you now know exactly how to fix it.

But blocking isn’t your only weapon. Do Not Disturb mode lets you silence calls without shutting anyone out completely, and reporting scam calls helps cut down on these annoyances for everyone. The bottom line? You decide who gets through.

So go ahead—set some boundaries, block the bad guys, and keep your phone the way it was meant to be: a helpful tool, not an endless source of interruptions.

Now, if only there were an easy way to block spam emails, too… but that’s a guide for another day!