In this post, I will show you how to block some people from reaching you by phone, SMS, iMessage and FaceTime on your iPhone.

This tip is useful if you'd like to stop being annoyed by unwanted calls (voice or video) and messages either from strangers or from people already in your contact list.

The good news is that once blocked, those people won't know that they have been blocked:

• If they try to call you (Phone or FaceTime), it will appear as if you're not responding

• If they try to send you a message, it will appear as if it has not been delivered (which could happen for a variety of reasons)

In addition, blocking someone on one device will get synchronised via iCloud to all your other devices using the same Apple ID.

There is one caveat though; you can't block phone numbers that are shown as "Private", "Unknown" or "No Caller ID".

Please note that to take advantage of this feature, your iPhone needs to run at least iOS 7.

To block someone that contacted you recently, the easiest way is to open the respective app (Phone, Messages or FaceTime).

To block an existing contact that does not appear in one of those 3 apps, then the best is to manually add it to the blocked list via the Settings app.

Here are the various ways to block someone:

a) Phone app

1. Open the app and tap on "Recents" (bottom)

2. For the desired person, tap on the small ⓘ (right side)

3. Scroll to the bottom and tap on "Block this Caller"

b) Messages app

1. Open the app and tap on one of the thread

2. At the top, you'll see the recipient:

   1. iOS 12: Tap on the name then on the small ⓘ then on the Contact's name

   2. iOS 11: Tap on the small ⓘ (right corner) then on the Contact's name

   3. iOS 10/9/8: Tap on "Details" then on the small ⓘ

   4. iOS 7: Tap on "Contact" then on the small ⓘ

3. Scroll to the bottom and tap on "Block this Caller"

c) FaceTime app

1. Open the app and tap on either "Video" or "Audio"

2. For the desired person, tap on the small ⓘ (right side)

3. Scroll to the bottom and tap on "Block this Caller"

d) Settings app

1. Open the "Settings" app

2. Scroll down and tap either on "Phone", "Messages" or "FaceTime"

3. Scroll down and tap on "Blocked"

4. Tap on "Add New..."

5. Select an existing contact

In case, you'd like to unblock someone:

1. Open the "Settings" app

2. Scroll down and tap either on "Phone", "Messages" or "FaceTime"

3. Scroll down and tap on "Blocked"

4. Tap on "Edit"

5. Tap on the red sign (left side)

6. Tap on "Unblock" (right side)

7. Tap on "Done"

And you, how many times did you block an annoying caller on your iPhone?

Please let me know in the comments below!