David Cortesi
Level 1 (81 points)
Mac OS X

Q: iPhone 5S still rings for number in blocked list

I have blocked several numbers from known telemarketers, for example (213) 266-7280 called me last Wednesday and I immediately went to the entry in Recents, tapped info, tapped Block This Caller. The number is displayed as the last entry when I go to Settings:Phone:Blocked.

 

Just now, the phone rang and displayed as the incoming number, (213) 266-7280. And indeed on Recents, there it is, two entries, last Wednesday and today.

 

Why does the phone permit a blocked number to ring through?

 

Note this is not the same as the ongoing thread regarding "does it block contacts or just numbers". That is not an issue here, the individual number is definitely blocked and it definitely rings regardless.

iPhone 5s, iOS 9.3.4

Posted on Aug 12, 2016 12:51 PM

by ChrisJ4203,Apple recommended
ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203
Level 9 (57,375 points)
iPhone
A:

From the referenced support document.

 

When you block a phone number or contact, they can still call you or send you a message, but you won't get a notification. Also, the contact won't get a notification that the call or message was blocked.

You can't block phone numbers that show up as Private, Unknown, or No Caller ID.

That means they can call or send a message, you will not see the call, you will not hear the call. This just means the caller will get no notification that you have blocked them. They think everything is still working as it should. That does not mean the call will go through to you, nor will it ring, as you are inferring. Blocking a number will prevent it from ringing, or you receiving  a message from them. If you are receiving a ring, there is something else going on with your device. Blocking works, I can attest to that. The call does not ring, the message does not come through, the phone will not notify you of either.

Posted on Sep 8, 2016 2:28 PM

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David Cortesi

Q: iPhone 5S still rings for number in blocked list

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  • Helpful answers

  • by kendra160,

    kendra160 kendra160 Aug 12, 2016 1:10 PM in response to David Cortesi
    Level 2 (188 points)
    Aug 12, 2016 1:10 PM in response to David Cortesi

    That's pretty strange David.

     

    If you have verified that the number is indeed on the block list, I would suggest to remove the contact from the list and re add it by deleting the contact from your phone and re adding it and then adding it to the blocked list from the contact.

     

    (make sure to include the full phone number w/ area code)

     

    You would not be able to test and see if the issue is resolved unless you get another call from the number.

     

    To isolate the issue, I would suggest blocking another number and having it to call you and see if the same thing happens.

     

    Hopefully you get this resolved because I can't survive without my block feature lol.

  • by David Cortesi,

    David Cortesi David Cortesi Aug 12, 2016 2:35 PM in response to kendra160
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 12, 2016 2:35 PM in response to kendra160

    See this confusion keeps happening, as on the other thread I referenced. It is not a contact. The number appears in the Recents list, but has never been a Contact. So there's no remove and add to be done.

     

    At your suggestion I tried blocking a number in my Contacts list and called from that phone, it did not ring but went straight to message. Then I unblocked that contact and called from it and it rang. So the basic function does work.

     

    Thanks for thinking about it, anyway.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Aug 12, 2016 2:40 PM in response to David Cortesi
    Level 9 (57,375 points)
    iPhone
    Aug 12, 2016 2:40 PM in response to David Cortesi

    Did you check your blocked list to ensure the number is listed there? Settings>Phone>Blocked.

     

    With many telemarketers, the number displayed from the Caller ID is not the actual number the call is coming from. It is especially true with large PBX systems, but if the Caller ID is displaying that number, it should block. I would check to make sure the number is listed in your blocked list. You can try removing it and adding it back again. You can also file a complaint with the FCC for this as well.

  • by fhorn101,Helpful

    fhorn101 fhorn101 Sep 8, 2016 11:02 AM in response to David Cortesi
    Level 1 (19 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 8, 2016 11:02 AM in response to David Cortesi

    I have the same problem.  I've blocked each individual number as instructed, but they still ring.  According to this from Apple (see following link), all blocked calls can come through.  This is crazy!  What's the point?  If it's blocked, I don't want to hear it ring!  I guess I'll be writing to Apple and asking for this feature to be added.  Does anybody know more about this?  Block phone numbers and contacts or filter messages on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch - Apple Support

  • by David Cortesi,

    David Cortesi David Cortesi Sep 8, 2016 11:06 AM in response to fhorn101
    Level 1 (81 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 8, 2016 11:06 AM in response to fhorn101

    Indeed, what is the point? In the page you link, it clearly says, "When you block a phone number or contact, they can still call you or send you a message, but you won't get a notification."

     

    This seems contrary to the expectations of @kendra160 and @ChrisJ4203, who -- along with everybody else -- expect that "blocked" means "blocked".

     

    Whut up, people? How can this be?

  • by ChrisJ4203,Apple recommended

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Sep 8, 2016 2:28 PM in response to fhorn101
    Level 9 (57,375 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 8, 2016 2:28 PM in response to fhorn101

    From the referenced support document.

     

    When you block a phone number or contact, they can still call you or send you a message, but you won't get a notification. Also, the contact won't get a notification that the call or message was blocked.

    You can't block phone numbers that show up as Private, Unknown, or No Caller ID.

    That means they can call or send a message, you will not see the call, you will not hear the call. This just means the caller will get no notification that you have blocked them. They think everything is still working as it should. That does not mean the call will go through to you, nor will it ring, as you are inferring. Blocking a number will prevent it from ringing, or you receiving  a message from them. If you are receiving a ring, there is something else going on with your device. Blocking works, I can attest to that. The call does not ring, the message does not come through, the phone will not notify you of either.