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MacMost Now 115: How To Block Unwanted iPhone Text Messages
Comments: 70 Responses to “MacMost Now 115: How To Block Unwanted iPhone Text Messages”
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You mention that you can block someone sending texts from another device 'like a cellphone' - however, in those boxes you can only put email addresses or domains - not individual end-user cell phone numbers. Do you know of any way to block individual phone numbers from sending you texts??
thanks!
I believe you have to call AT&T and ask. But I'm not sure what they will be able to do.
How do you block specific numbers from texting you
You might not be able to. The only way to find out is call your provider and ask.
Hi. Looking for help!!!! I have a business account with AT&T, they do not offer their blocking plans whatsoever w/ a biz account, not even with a charge... I'm also not really into jailbreaking my phone, which appears to be the only other solution to blocking texts from crazy people. Please advise if you've heard of an app or site- please!
a) Don't just make this for the WWW and talk about AT&T, talk about it working for ALL iPhones across the world regardless of the plan they have!!
b) There is no (b)
If you think about it, you could see how that would be hard to do. You'd have to do the research for each and every carrier in every country. Would probably need to know a few languages, too. But the basic premise can be used by anyone: call your carrier and ask.
I keep getting text messages from an international number on my 3g iphone., but every text the last four numbers are different from the previos number. Can I block these?
If you can, you'll need to contact AT&T (or your carrier). So I would start by calling them (dial 611 on your iPhone)
I called AT&T and the only way for you to block someones phone # is to go in to a store and pay $5 extra a mounth to be able to block up to 50 phone numbers. I'm doing it today. I have a crazy ex-girl friend. Supper crazy!
hahahaa
I got a crazy ex too. . . Fml
So do I guys...and he is diagnosed psycho too, harrassed me all day today for the last time. This has gone on 11 years, and 21 times taken to court! Dont get involved with these psychos, run as soon as you see the red flags. So anyway talked to At&T today and they blocked his number free for two months, after that its 5.00 a month as said earlier. But I can block I think 5 numbers so I also blocked his new crazy wife too...love this feature!!
yeah i know tell me about it psyco psyco i had a psyco boyfriend i changed my number now i have the blocking feature i dont have to worry about changing it no more
just got off phone w/AT&T 5.oo monthly will get rid of my issue. Was told to try app. store first but haven't found anything of use. Kinda crazy you can't easily block someone from texting you. .may have to resort to the fee. Any ideas?
Can you get them to turn off texting completely? If so, then maybe switch to using a third-party (like Google Voice) for texting with a different phone number.
A lot of things about SMS messages are crazy -- that you can't block for free, the price they charge per byte, etc.
Give me her number. I will drive her so crazy she will call you and apologize... Take it from an ex-Chicago policeman...it can be done. There is a book called "Get Even" good reading. I would google that one...LOL!
I tried the email text stop, but that doesn't do anything for a friend I have who gets drunk and texts me at 3:30a.m. from a cell. Will have to call AT&T for that one....
I am getting AIM messages from someone I assume has a spamming virus on their computer. If I reply "block" to the text message, will it block all further messages from that source?
I don't believe there is any "reply with Block" functionality on AT&T SMS -- but you can call them and ask. They may have to manually block that source, or you can use the technique described here.
If it is a subscriber texting you you can reply back stop and it will unsubscribe you.
Gary, I think Marc means that if he sent the word "block" in a text message to the other user, who he believes may have been hacked by a virus, if that will mean the virus will leave him alone.
Try that, also try texting "STOP". If they are messaging you on your AIM account Marc, you could try blocking them on the AIM website.
Otherwise you might be stuck with an extra 5 bucks a month.
Could you use this to block an individual user if you knew their service? Like, say 0000000000@sms.att.net? Or does this only apply to email addresses?
This only applies to email-based text messages.
Is mymessages.wireless.att.com free ?
It should be, yes. They don't mention any charge.
How to block a number from a psycho who text me nasty abusive text???
Call AT&T and see what they will do for you. That's the only thing that you can try.
How do you know my ex-wife?
Use iblacklist from cydia
Finnaly a simple and easy solution, bless your soul for commenting, Now I dont have to look forever for a pain in the ass soultion.
I have a person/company who located my phone number online and is sending SMS spam Texts through what appears to be AIM. The message always is followed by a second text citing to "text BLOCK to deny receipt of these texts". I've done this but the spammers just move user names every day. I'm 9 days into this spammers blitz and every day they use a new name or AIM account.
I went to the web site you mentioned and selected to turn off emails being sent to my via texts but I'm not sure that will work. I've also NEVER used AIM for any reasons, not on my phone or on a computer.
Any advice? I use texts daily and cant give that up I just need to stop being sent spam to me via Text.
Adam
Have you called AT&T to talk to them about the problem?
I will call them tomorrow if I get another text from the spammers after I updated my settings on the website you recommended in this post.
Have you tried sending STOP I had the same problem and I sent back stop and it stopped.
I'm having the exact same experience that Adam described. Spammers started sending me multiple SMS text spam messages via AIM (AOL Instant Messenger). The messages are ads for stock picks, viagra web sites, etc. The spammers switch user IDs every day, so using AOL'd "reply with 'block'" feature is useless and just costs me another text message. There needs to be a way to block all messages coming from AIM. AT&T's mymessages.wireless.att.com site let's me block all messages coming from email addresses, but that doesn't work for this. Its really lame and irritating. Help!
Check mymessages.wireless.att.com again to make sure your settings stuck. That should do it. If not, call them. Most (maybe all) spam comes through email since it is difficult and costly for spammers to use SMS directly to do it.
I double checked the settings and unfortunately it didnt help. AIM must send some other way?
To: Gary
Why do u always recommend calling ATANDT do u work for them or something? That seems to be ur answer for every question
Why would you think that? I'm telling people to call their mobile phone provider to solve their mobile phone problem. AT&T was the ONLY U.S. iPhone provider at the time of this video. Who else are you going to call to get this problem resolved?
Usually if I have people(s) whom I do not wish their txt messages, I don't want their calls either! So, I will change my number. %100 guaranteed that way.
I've blocked an email address through Yahoo settings, but today I received an email from that address in my mail on my iphone4.
How do I block this on my iPhone so that the mail sent from the unwanted address gets bounced back. I want the person to know I've blocked them. Thanks
The right way to do it is through the server. So if this is Yahoo mail, and you are blocking in the Yahoo mail settings, then you shouldn't be getting these emails. If you are then check to make sure your blocking is right -- are you blocking the exact right email address? Maybe the person is sending "from" another email address.
How do you block a spam text message with Verizon that has the number 676801163614 and changes the last 2 digits all the time so that the myverizon spam blocker won't work?
Thanks
You have to call Verizon and ask them. If they have a service that will do that, then they would be the ones to know and activate it.
I tried that. They told me I would have to cancel text messaging for a few months or change my number. At the top of the sms message is the 676 number then a wierd message followed by lic_jdm@hotmail.com. Is that an email that is coming in as an sms?
Could be. Does Verizon let you turn off receiving emails ad text? (AT&T does).
You can Forward the message to AT&T 7726 (SPAM on your keypad)
Step 1. Copy the offending message
Step 2. Send it to 7726
Step 3. AT&T will thank you (via a text message) and ask for the Phone Number of the offending Sender to sent
Can I do this with my stalker?
I just need one person to be blocked from texting me. Drunk texts at 3 am almost every other night is obnoxious.Why can't blocking a number just be free?! $5 a month ($60 a year!) is too much to drop on this piece of crap that wont leave me alone. Have told him numerous times to leave me alone at that time of night and he stops for like a week and then is at it again. The problem is that I don't have unlimited texting because I am not a big texter.If it were unlimited then I would just have his text sound be silent and go about my business.
Complain to your mobile provider. They are the ones in control. They won't read your complain here. You should talk to them directly and let them know how you feel. Maybe consider switching your number.
I have the worst pproblem you can imagine. I dumped a guy and shortly thereafter, I began receiving vulgar unacceptable text msgs. from an unverified sender. VErizon said that w/out an actual number, I cannot have it blocked so I changed my number and gave it to NOONE. I began receiving text msgs. from the unverified sender again and he/she was bragging about having my new number and also has information about my past addresses. SO SCARY!Could this person work for Verizon? What can I do?
I'm a tech guy, so this is a bit out of my league. Call Verizon. Call the police (get a restraining order -- maybe seek legal advice from a lawyer or specialist first).
I'm in the uk so any ideas for me? My network can't do unless I change my number
You can only do what your network lets you do. Why not change your number if it is a problem?
I have paid the $5 a month fee, and added the blocked # to ATT online, but the texter still makes it through. I can't text her back but she can text me even tho I blocked her, even laughing asking me to figure it out. Any idea's?
I would call AT&T. Complain.
I just spoke with AT&T
1(888)382-1222
National Do Not Call Registry
How can I block number when I'm in uk? I have iPhone 3G and operator told me that the chance is just when I'll change the #. :(
Call your mobile provider. They are the only ones who can do it.
With AT&T you can now sign up for "smart limits" that enables you to manage a list of up to 30 numbers so block. Just set it up online after speaking to a service rep. We'll see how this goes...
How do I block a person from calling/texting/ etc. on my iphone?
Call customer support for your service provider.
Thanks for the help. Is it possible to text a family member via their alias if their text messaging has been turned off? Sounds like it would be no but just wondering if it slips through.
No, it should be. If they have turned it off, then it is off.
Yes. Go to settings, messages, and turn OFF iMessages. This will stop anyone using an ipod or ipad from being able to email you via text message.
Do you have instructions to block messages for verizon accounts?
Not sure if you can. Check the Verizon site. Call them if you can't find it there.
all you have to do is call att and they will put whats called parental controls also known as smart limits you can block up to 30 numbers my managing your smart limits on your att account online they will not be able to call or text you
Q-I have verizon and had text blocked. Was having problem getting notification on voice messages received. Sometimes would not be notified of a message for a week. Verizon said problem was that text was blocked and had to unblock to fix - now I'm going to get charged for unwarranted texts. Does that make sense
Don't know. I'd ask for more of an explanation from Verizon.