iPhone: Can't block calls/texts after iOS 26.5 update

unable to block calls or text messages. i reset all settings and still did not work. ios 26.5 update

iPhone 13, iOS 26

Posted on Jun 4, 2026 10:59 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 4, 2026 11:02 PM


  • From the Phone app, tap Recents, then tap the phone number or contact you want to block or the Info button  in Classic view. Scroll down, then tap Block Caller.


Block phone numbers, contacts and email addresses on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)


9 replies

Oct 31, 2026 3:12 PM in response to VyrusNCR

VyrusNCR wrote:
That doesn’t work. How can Apple screw up such a basic function? This is exactly why I hate to do their updates. If Apple can’t get this right, do you seriously think they can block some serious malware? Apple ain’t what it used to be.

If you can't block calls this likely means you've hit the 3000 Blocked Number limit. Which also means you've likely been wasting your time trying to block spam calls, which is an utter waste of time. The number you see is most assuredly not the number which called, as spammers spoof their numbers out of literally thousands of numbers. You've been a losing game of "whack-a-mole." Apple introduced in iOS 26, Call Screening tools, which are far more affective at reducing spam calls by making the caller say the reason for calling. Bots can't do that, so they get blocked without you having to do anything.


See how these tools work, which has DRAMATICALLY reduced the number of spam calls I get, without me having to do anything --> Screen and block calls on iPhone - Apple Support


Honestly, the only numbers worthy of blocking are from known callers. You know, that ex you don't want to hear from or the cousin who keeps asking to borrow money or a verified charity you don't want to keep hounding you for a donation. But the spoofed, average spam call isn't something you can block, again, because the number you saw and tried to block isn't the number which called you at all.


I own a MacBook Pro and on a Mac, you can delete your blocked calls in groups or all at once. I no longer have any blocked calls on the list. But on iPhone, you can only delete them one at a time. Which may not be worth the effort since blocking these spam calls is a futile effort to begin with.

iPhone: Can't block calls/texts after iOS 26.5 update

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