Viewer mail time!
How do you block unwanted callers on your smartphone? I've got a few people I'd rather not hear from, like— ever.
— Lynn, River Forest, IL
Blacklisting unwanted callers on your iPhone should be as easy as one, two, three, but hold on to your Apples, Mac fans – there is actually no way for you to natively block phone numbers on your device. Shocking, right? You could download one of the many apps from the iTunes App store that claim to keep unwanted callers at bay, but truth be told, I haven’t seen one that is worthy of a purchase. There is a work-around though – use a silent ringtone for numbers you recognize but don’t want to answer.
Getting this done is pretty simple. Fire up your iPhone and search “silent ringtone” in the iTunes app. I’ve downloaded the one called Silent ($1.29) and it works just fine. Set this as the custom tone for the annoying caller of your choice. Simply head to Phone > Recents, then click the blue arrow next to the number you wish to “banish.” Create a new contact for this number (first name: Thorn, last name: In my side), and select Silent from the ring tone menu. That’s not all though — you will need to turn off vibration alerts in order for you to remain blissfully unaware of the incoming call. Head to Settings > Sounds and flip the switches for all vibrate options to “Off.” While your call won’t be blocked completely, at least you won’t notice when this caller tries to contact you. Silence really is golden, isn’t it?
Android users are in a similar situation, but the good news here is that there are plenty of apps to help you out. Call
Hope that's helpful, Lynn!
8 Comments
Crystal says:
Actually, you can use #77 and it will automatically block that number from being able to call you ever again.
Crystal says:
When someone calls you you don't wish to speak with, just dial #77 then hang-up. Simple as that!
Ursula says:
What about Blackberry users?
Gail says:
If it is someone you know that you do not wish to bother you, open their contact info and choose "go directly to voicemail" for them (Android)! Also, when it rings, you can select "Ignore" on the screen instead of answer.
margaret says:
what about regular cell phone users does #77 work???
Angie says:
When do I actually dial #77 during the call or after
Steve says:
I wish someone could help me find a killer app I somehow didn't bookmark. Once you added a number to the list of people you never want to hear from, when THEY call, they would immediately get that message, 'the number you are calling has been disconnected. If you feel you've reached this message in error, please check your number and try your call again'.
Joy says:
Google Voice has the option you are describing. You can actually select whether the call gets immediately sent to voice mail or flat out blocked and plays a msg telling the caller the number is no longer working.