This bug is apparently a feature of the latest iOS update, and it’s infuriating!
The last thing I want is a bunch of spam callers in my Contacts list. And what a time waster!
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: Why did Apple's latest update remove my ability to block a spam caller and force me to add callers to my Contact List before blocking them?
iPhone 16 Pro, iOS 18
Are you blocking from the Recents call list as seen here. Maybe you are not scrolling to the bottom after tapping the Info button?:
From the Phone app, tap Recents, then tap the Info button next to the phone number or contact that you want to block. Scroll down, then tap Block Caller.
Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
Are you blocking from the Recents call list as seen here. Maybe you are not scrolling to the bottom after tapping the Info button?:
From the Phone app, tap Recents, then tap the Info button next to the phone number or contact that you want to block. Scroll down, then tap Block Caller.
Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
If you use third-party call-blocking apps to block spam calls, keep in mind that this is not the same as blocking numbers using the iPhone’s built-in Recents tab option.
When a third-party app blocks a call, it typically stores the blocked number information on its own servers or within the app’s internal database. This data is not added to iOS’s native list of blocked contacts. As a result, if you later disable or uninstall the app, your spam protection will be removed, since the block list maintained by the app will no longer be active.
For long-term reliability—especially if you switch or delete apps—it is recommended to block unwanted numbers using iOS’s default method via the Phone app’s Recents list or Contacts, which stores the block information directly in the iOS system list and remains effective regardless of third-party apps.
You need to update to iOS 18.6, though this issue was never there in the previous iOS. The pic below is made on iOS 18.6
Feedback to Apple goes here, Feedback - iPhone - Apple They do not participate in this forum.
The way you describe is the way it used to work. With the latest update, the Info button has been removed from the context menu that pops up when you press on a call entry in the Recents list.
I find this latest update forces me to spend way more time blocking unwanted callers than the previous version. Not happy! 👎
Latest iOS update is forcing me to add spam callers to Contacts to block them
