How to block phone numbers on iPhone running iOS 26?

How can I block a telephone number on an iPhone 26. I checked on Apple support and tried all the ways listed there. I used to be able to block a number using the information icon when selecting the number in Recents. No longer there. There is supposed to be a way using Settings/Privacy and Security, but that doesn't show up either. I don't want to block all calls from numbers that aren't in my contacts list, just the telemarketers. There doesn't seem to be a way to do that in the new IoS26.


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Feb 10, 2026 4:51 AM

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16 replies

Feb 10, 2026 6:06 AM in response to shelagh208

shelagh208 wrote:

I've found all of these possibilities online, but none apply because none of the options are available on my iPhone. I don't want to screen all calls, I want to be able to block specific numbers. I don't have that option in Contacts or in Settings. I can only add contacts, I can't block them.

Maybe you have an iphone SE?

If so press the home button whilst in Recents, then tap Phone icon again, you may have to do it more than once.

A bug known to us users but not to Apple it seems. Report it please https://apple.com/feedback so that we SE users are not forgotten


Feb 10, 2026 6:39 AM in response to LD150

LD150 wrote:


shelagh208 wrote:

I've found all of these possibilities online, but none apply because none of the options are available on my iPhone. I don't want to screen all calls, I want to be able to block specific numbers. I don't have that option in Contacts or in Settings. I can only add contacts, I can't block them.
FWIW I was addressing your blocking from Recents query.
Blocking in Contacts app as in KiltedTim's link should work, even on the SE. Read it again.


https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/2e0c485e-36fb-41ab-991d-cc9867aaacd1


The problem there, of course, is you have to save it as a contact in order to block it.


I cannot find in that link any reference to blocking individual numbers from Recents, so maybe that has been deprecated now.


One more thought, spam callers rarely use the same number twice, maybe even clone them, so blocking spam callers may be pointless,

Feb 10, 2026 6:49 AM in response to KiltedTim

KiltedTim wrote:

Blocking callers from recents works just fine for me.

If you're using the unified view in the phone app, just tap on the call and it will bring up the contact card, including the block option at the bottom.

If you're using the classic view, tap the i in the circle to the right of the call.

Doesn't work on my SE3 in either view. Like I say it seems to be a home button phone bug, and only on some carriers. I have it, my wife doesn't, different carriers. I doubt it is in Apple's bug shortlist!

Thanks anyway.

Feb 10, 2026 7:46 AM in response to LD150

LD150 wrote:


KiltedTim wrote:

Blocking callers from recents works just fine for me.

If you're using the unified view in the phone app, just tap on the call and it will bring up the contact card, including the block option at the bottom.

If you're using the classic view, tap the i in the circle to the right of the call.
Doesn't work on my SE3 in either view. Like I say it seems to be a home button phone bug, and only on some carriers. I have it, my wife doesn't, different carriers. I doubt it is in Apple's bug shortlist!
Thanks anyway.

Interesting. That's an odd one.

Feb 10, 2026 6:19 AM in response to shelagh208

shelagh208 wrote:

I've found all of these possibilities online, but none apply because none of the options are available on my iPhone. I don't want to screen all calls, I want to be able to block specific numbers. I don't have that option in Contacts or in Settings. I can only add contacts, I can't block them.

FWIW I was addressing your blocking from Recents query.

Blocking in Contacts app as in KiltedTim's link should work, even on the SE. Read it again.




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How to block phone numbers on iPhone running iOS 26?

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