How to block numbers on iPhone after iOS 26 update?

GreyArcher29 wrote:

1. Completely wrong.

There is no Recent Calls Option

2. From the call list swiping left is only a delete option.

Whether or not you see a separate "Recents" tab depends on which view you've selected. In the phone app, tap the icon in the top-right corner that looks like a stack of horizontal lines. Select "Classic" to see the older version that includes the separate "Recents" tab.

georgevargas wrote:

Good point. The solution to this problem is not about the pointlessness of blocking spam calls. For those of us looking for the solution to this specific problem, pointing out that you have hundreds of blocked numbers on your phone is, well, pointless in and of itself. If you, or anyone in this thread has a solution to the actual problem of the block option no longer being available to some users please post it here so that we can have it addressed as is our preference. “Just don’t use it”, isn’t a solution. The block option shows up intermittently on some of our phones when we hit the home button so something is clearly wrong and may be an indication of a much bigger issue. Ignoring it or using a work around is not the solution either. It would be AWSOME to address the issue as stated by the original poster before sharing unsolicited advice or points of view that detract from the original poster’s question.

As mentioned earlier, I have no problem blocking numbers. I tap on the i next to an entry in Recents, and I clearly see Block Contact at the bottom of the contact card image (This was a spam call; the number is a fake generated number):

If you don’t see Recents at the bottom (as I have) tap the icon in the upper right corner of the screen and change to Classic view.

That doesn’t change the fact that it is pointless to block spam calls; just delete them.

Thank you for posting that!

The swipe left select the hand method worked on one new Spam call I just got today but not previous ones.

on older spam calls before this phone replaced my previous one the hand does not appear. only the clock and the trashcan so maybe that method only works on calls that came in since the new phone was activated. I have no “I”on any calls in my call log iOS 26 on a 17 Pro.

NO orange hand appears when I swipe left and I note that many others this orange icon also does not appear. Can apple fix this?

Try swiping ALL THE WAY LEFT. it is counterintuitive at first but once you realize you must swipe further than before the new iOS, it willl make sense.

LD150 wrote:

The bug, or design change, seems to be limited to hone button phones SE2 and SE3

Good to know.

ritalhs16 wrote:

I was so frustrated by this also but I just found the solution!!!

In your Recent Calls, simply swipe to the left on the number that you want to block. There will be 3 icons - an orange hand, a blue clock, and a red trash can. The orange hand will allow you to block the number directly from your recent call log without needing to save as a contact. Quick and easy, sorry for doubting you, Apple!

Is that on an iphone SE? I don't get the hand.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

LD150 wrote:

The bug, or design change, seems to be limited to hone button phones SE2 and SE3

Good to know.

Oh dear, I checked my wife's SE3 on ios26.1 and it still has the block caller action, mine doesn't. The only difference is cellular provider. Hmmmm

Another issue is blocking a number from a text message. There's no option to find the number in the recent calls list, then.

This used to be a rather intuitive task, but like several other iOS26 improvements, we took a few steps backwards. I'd really love to meet those in their infinite wisdom who made these "improvements"

We have 3 iPhones in the family 13Pro, 16Pro, SE3 and each of us regret iOS 26

blue23rose wrote:

Before IOS 26 update, if I received a call from an unknown number that was definitely spam, I could select the "i" next to the number, go to the bottom of the screen and select "block caller".

Other posts in the list have told you how to do this. HOWEVER, it is pointless to block a number that was definitely spam, because spammers use a different number each time. So you end up with hundreds of blocked numbers that will never call you.

This is a very useful call on the issue that I have also been having.

The only issue now is that there is no "orange hand" amongst the icons. Only a blue clock and a red trash can.

Back to you, Apple.

To everyone in this thread:

Other posts in the list have told you how to do this. HOWEVER, it is pointless to block a number that was definitely spam, because spammers use a different number each time. So you end up with hundreds of blocked numbers that will never call you. Call blocking is only to block people you know.

georgevargas wrote:

Thank you for your viewpoint regarding "you end up with hundreds of blocked numbers". Please keep in mind that your viewpoint does not address the subject at hand, and to some comes off as scolding.

I have found in these forums (and in life generally) that assuming people have good intentions leads to a much pleasanter experience for me.

And, while you may be aware of the pointlessness of blocking spam numbers, it's possible that other people don't. The solution to a problem is not always the answer to the first question someone asks.

Good point. The solution to this problem is not about the pointlessness of blocking spam calls. For those of us looking for the solution to this specific problem, pointing out that you have hundreds of blocked numbers on your phone is, well, pointless in and of itself. If you, or anyone in this thread has a solution to the actual problem of the block option no longer being available to some users please post it here so that we can have it addressed as is our preference. “Just don’t use it”, isn’t a solution. The block option shows up intermittently on some of our phones when we hit the home button so something is clearly wrong and may be an indication of a much bigger issue. Ignoring it or using a work around is not the solution either. It would be AWSOME to address the issue as stated by the original poster before sharing unsolicited advice or points of view that detract from the original poster’s question.

georgevargas wrote:

It would be AWSOME to address the issue as stated by the original poster before sharing unsolicited advice or points of view that detract from the original poster’s question.

Not surprisingly, you appear to have missed the point of my post.

georgevargas wrote:

I am surprised however that you have not been able to offer a solution to the problem that the option is not showing up.

Unfortunately, despite what you apparently have assumed, I am not omniscient. Sorry to disappoint.