How to Stop Spam Texts on iPhone and Android

Spam texts are more than an annoyance. The Federal Trade Commission says people reported losing $470 million to scams that started with a text message in 2024. The good news: your phone and your wireless carrier already have tools that can filter most of these messages before you ever see them — you just have to turn them on.

The steps below come from the Federal Communications Commission’s free step-by-step guides. The FCC recommends turning on both your phone’s built-in tools and your carrier’s services. Menu names can vary slightly by phone model and software version.

On an iPhone

Filter texts from unknown senders

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Apps, then Messages.
3. Scroll to Unknown Senders.
4. Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.

Texts from numbers that aren’t in your contacts will be sorted into a separate list, so they don’t interrupt you.

Silence unknown callers and filter spam calls

1. Open Settings, tap Apps, then Phone.
2. Scroll to Screen Unknown Callers and turn on Silence.
3. Under Call Filtering, turn on Spam (if your carrier supports it).

Report and block

When a spam text arrives, use Report Spam (on older iPhones, “Report Junk”), then Delete and Report Spam. To block a number, open the conversation, tap the person’s icon at the top, tap Info, and choose Block Contact. See how to report a scam text for details.

On an Android phone

Turn on spam protection for texts (Google Messages)

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap your profile photo or icon in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Messages Settings (or Settings).
4. Tap Spam Protection (or Protection & Safety).
5. Turn on Spam Protection.

Filter spam calls

1. Open your Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then Settings.
3. Tap Caller ID and Spam (or Spam Protection).
4. Turn on See Caller ID & Spam and Filter Spam Calls.

Block calls from unknown numbers

1. Open your Phone app and tap More, then Settings.
2. Tap Blocked Numbers.
3. Turn on Unknown.

To report and block a text, touch and hold the conversation in Google Messages, then tap Block, Report spam and OK.

Allow only your contacts (both phones)

If spam is overwhelming, you can use Do Not Disturb so only people in your contacts can reach you:

• iPhone: Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb → under Allow Notifications, tap People and add the contacts you want to hear from, then turn on Do Not Disturb in Control Center.
• Android: Settings → Modes, Notifications or Sound & Vibration → Do Not Disturb → set calls and messages to Contacts only (or add specific people), then turn it on.

Remember to check your voicemail and filtered messages so you don’t miss calls from doctors or new numbers you’re expecting.

Your carrier’s free tools

The FCC’s carrier guides list these tools. Basic protection is free; each carrier also sells a paid upgrade.

Carrier	Free tool	How to turn it on	Paid upgrade
AT&T	AT&T ActiveArmor mobile security app	Download and open the ActiveArmor app; the standard free protections turn on. You can customize your block list and manage fraud and spam calls.	ActiveArmor Advanced Mobile Security
T-Mobile	Scam Shield (included with T-Mobile plans)	In the T-Life app: Manage or Account → Lines and Devices → Scam Block → turn on. Without the app, dial #662# to turn Scam Block on (#632# turns it off).	Scam Shield Premium
Verizon	Call Filter and SMS Spam Protection	Download the Verizon Protect app → Call Filter → Get Started → allow call and text blocking permissions. SMS Spam Protection scans texts from unknown senders for signs of scams.	Call Filter Plus

All three carriers’ FCC guides also say: forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) — T-Mobile and Verizon add, without opening any links. If you use a different carrier, call its customer service or check its official website for spam-blocking tools.

The FCC notes it does not endorse any of these products; it lists them for information. You can also look into third-party call-blocking apps, many of which block unwanted texts too. The FTC suggests comparing features, user ratings and expert reviews before choosing one.

Report spam to help everyone

Filters work better when people report. Forward spam texts to 7726, use your app’s report option, and file a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — paste the text into the Comments box, because the FTC cannot accept forwarded messages. Step-by-step instructions are in how to report a scam text.

Get fewer spam texts in the first place

The FCC suggests:

• Don’t respond to texts from unknown or questionable senders, and never click their links.
• Be careful giving out your mobile number and personal information.
• Read privacy policies before entering your number on websites, and look for opt-out options — often a checkbox.
• Check the policies of companies you do business with about selling or sharing your information.

Know your rights

Under FCC rules, autodialed texts to your mobile phone are banned unless you previously agreed to receive them or the message is for an emergency. Commercial texts require your written consent, and the rules apply even if you haven’t put your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. For legitimate businesses you signed up with, you can opt out of robotexts at any time, in any reasonable manner.

Still getting a text you’re not sure about? See scam text messages: common examples and red flags, or check whether a phone number is a scam.