Can I delete and block a Junk text message instead of just delete and report Junk?

Hi there,

I understand your frustration with the current options for handling junk text messages in the Messages app. It can indeed be inconvenient to go through a separate process to block a number after reporting it as junk.

Currently, the Messages app provides the "Report Junk" feature primarily to help Apple identify and block spam messages globally, but this does not automatically block the sender from contacting you again. Here are a couple of steps you can take to block the number immediately:

1. Block the Number Directly: After receiving a junk message, you can manually block the sender. Open the message, tap on the contact at the top, then tap the "info" button, scroll down, and select "Block this Caller".
2. Use Third-Party Apps: There are several third-party apps available that can help with more advanced spam filtering and blocking options. You might find these to be more effective for managing unwanted messages.

Your suggestion to combine the "Report Junk" and "Block" functions into a single step is a great idea and would certainly streamline the process. Apple often updates its features based on user feedback, so I recommend sharing your suggestion through the Apple Feedback page.

I hope this helps, and thank you for sharing your feedback with the community!

The block setting for Messages in 17.5.1 is in the setting for Messages, not on the app. Look for Blocked Contacts.

That being said, spammer are constantly changing the email for their span. At the moment it is a battle with no end in site.

I just wish that the blocklist was spread across device and apps that use it in iCloud.

longrange1 wrote:

I use the filters on the Messages app to separate known and unknown text messages. My question is why can’t we have an option to delete and block a junk text message instead of just delete and report junk? I found out that reporting junk does absolutely nothing to prevent that number from repeatedly texting you again. I can’t understand why the option is not there to delete and block instead of having to go through a whole separate process to Block that number. It just seems pointless to report junk when it doesn’t automatically block that number. Thanks for any help.

My observation has been that if I delete and report as junk, I never get anything from that number again. Now, as noted above, spammers change numbers all the time so you can get another text from the same entity but using a different number. I had a situation like that recently with someone who was trying to drum up business for a class action lawsuit. Each time, the number was different but the message was the same.

You can also let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple