How to Stop Spam Texts

These instructions cover how to block spam texts on iPhone and Android and explains why you might be getting these texts.

How to Stop and Block Spam Texts

There are a few ways you can stop spam texts. These are the most common and effective methods including built-in features, third-party apps, and more.

• Reply with "Stop"—But Be Careful! You can often unsubscribe from text messages by replying with "stop" or "unsubscribe." But be very careful; this can backfire. A legitimate sender—like a non-profit organization, political campaign, or company—will respect that request. If it's a scammer, a reply confirms that this is an active phone number to continue to target.
• Use Spam Text Blocking Features in Your Phone: The iPhone and Android have built-in spam-text blocking features. Use those to protect yourself. Check out the step-by-step instructions later in this article.
• Use Third-Party Apps: Your phone's app store will have lots of apps that filter or block spam texts and calls. If you're not happy with your phone's built-in features, try those.
• Forward Spam Texts to Your Phone Company: You can report spam texts to your phone company to help them block such texts in the future. Just forward spam texts to 7726 (that spells out "spam" on the keypad). It's easy to forward text messages on Android here. You can also file a complaint about spam texts with the FCC.
• Use a Service From Your Phone Company: Many phone companies sell add-on services that block spam texts and calls. These often focus on calls more than texts but contact your phone company to see what they offer.

How to Block Spam Texts on iPhone

All iPhones running iOS 10 and up have a feature to block spam text messages in the pre-installed Messages app. Follow these steps to block spam texts:

1. Open the spam text in the Messages app.

2. Tap the phone number or icon at the top of the screen.

3. Tap info.

4. Tap the phone number.

5. Tap Block this Caller.

6. In the pop-up menu, tap Block Contact.

7. Spam texts from this sender are blocked when the menu changes to Unblock this Caller.

How to Block Spam Texts on Android

If your smartphone runs Android 10 or higher, follow these steps to use the built-in spam text blocking features.

1. Open the Messages app.

2. Tap the vertical three-dot icon.

3. Tap Settings.

4. Tap Block numbers and messages.

5. Tap Block numbers.

6. Enter the phone number you want to block (or tap Conversations and select the conversation you want to block).

7. Tap + and the phone number will be added to your blocked list.

Why Are You Getting Spam Texts?

There are a variety of reasons why you receive spam texts, and sometimes they aren't spam at all. These are the most common reasons that you're getting spam texts.

• You Signed Up for Them: What looks like a spam text could actually be a communication you signed up for without realizing it. In many cases, buying something online, getting information from an organization, and otherwise communicating online can cause you to get texts. It always pays to read the fine print whenever you share your contact info.
• Spammers Bought Your Information: Data-broker companies collect people's information and then resell it to other companies for marketing purposes. While this is very annoying, it's not necessarily nefarious. Lots of reputable companies sell customer data to brokers. It's quite possible that a company you have done business with sold your contact info at some point.
• Spammers Guessed Your Number: Spammers and scammers don't need to buy phone numbers to spam you. They can simply guess phone numbers. In the U.S., there are only 10 digits in a phone number, so it's easy enough to choose an area code and then use a computer program to spam text every possible phone number in that area code.