While there’s no way to block only text messages from a specific person, there are workarounds that may help.
Are you wondering whether you can block texts but not calls on your phone? Generally, the answer is no. However, there are certain workarounds you can use, such as using a filter or Focus mode on your iPhone. Read on to learn more.
Understand Your Goal and Platform Limits Before Changing Settings
On WhatsApp, you can archive a chat to avoid seeing it or getting notifications for new messages, but you will still receive calls from that person.
First, understand exactly what you want to do. Do you want to block most communication from someone but allow them to contact you in the case of an emergency?
This can sometimes be achieved through easier methods. For example, if you usually communicate with someone over WhatsApp, you can block them on WhatsApp without affecting their ability to place a call to your number via a regular cellular call. That would allow you to block them but still allow them to reach you if it’s an emergency. In this case, if they call you on WhatsApp, it won’t go through, but if they call you via a cellular call, it will.
Alternatively, if you still want them to be able to call you on WhatsApp but not text you, you can archive their chat on WhatsApp. If you archive their chat, you won’t see their chats show up in your usual chat list on WhatsApp, nor will you see a notification that they messaged you. However, your phone will still ring if they call you, even if they call you over WhatsApp. Other messenger apps may have different ways you can achieve something similar.
However, if you are talking about your phone’s built-in messaging app, and you want to block SMS texts from a person but not calls, this becomes a lot trickier. Unfortunately, there is no built-in way to do this, but there are workarounds that may achieve a similar result that might be sufficient for you.
iPhone: Reduce Unwanted Texts Without Blocking the Caller
iPhones allow you to set up a Focus mode to filter out messages from specific people.
One way you can achieve this on an iPhone is by using a custom Focus mode. You will want to create a filter for the Messages app and choose the Filter by People List option.
Then, in the Focus mode, choose the Silence Notifications From option to exclude that person.
You will also want to choose the option Allow Calls for Silenced People so you continue getting calls from them.
Note that this won’t actually block them altogether. However, you won’t see their messages in your chat list in the Messages app as long as the Focus mode is active. If you turn off the Focus mode, though, you will see those messages again.
If you aren’t looking to block one specific person but unwanted texts from unknown numbers in general (without blocking unknown numbers from calling you), consider the Unknown Senders filter.
Go to Settings > Messages > Message Filtering and turn on the filter for Unknown Senders. Messages from numbers that are not saved as contacts will show up in a separate folder rather than your usual chat list.
By default, the filter for Spam on iPhones will also be on, and spam messages will be sent to a separate folder. If you turned it off, you can turn it on again in your Message Filtering settings.
One thing I want to mention is that when you filter out texts from unknown senders on your iPhone, you risk filtering out OTP (One Time Passcode) messages that you may get when signing into your bank account or other online accounts.
Depending on your country and region, when you turn on the filter for Unknown Senders on your iPhone, you may also be able to whitelist OTPs and other time-sensitive texts. Otherwise, you would have to go to your Unknown Senders folder to find those texts.
Android: Use App Features to Limit Texts While Keeping Calls
On Android, you can filter out spam and junk messages.
Unfortunately, Android does not have a built-in way to filter out or block texts while allowing calls for a specific number.
However, spam messages are filtered by default, and this will filter out spam from unknown numbers. To ensure spam filtering is active, open the Google Messages app, click on your profile image, and navigate to Messages Settings > General > Protection & Safety and make sure Spam Protection is turned on.
You can then view spam messages by clicking on your profile icon and then clicking on Spam & Blocked.
However, there are also many third-party messaging apps and tools that let you filter out texts based on keywords or other criteria. Examples include Mezo and Textkiller. These would still allow calls from unknown numbers while helping to reduce spam and unwanted texts.
Carrier Controls That Cut Text Spam at the Source
When you get a spam text, you can always report it as junk and block the number (this will block calls from that number too). In addition, forward the message to 7726. This reports it as spam to your wireless carrier and can help cut down on spam in general.
Remember, never reply to a spam message! That just informs the spammers that your number is active, which opens you up to getting even more spam, as your number will be marked as active in the spammers’ databases.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there isn’t really a built-in way to block someone from texting you but not from calling you. However, you can filter out their messages using a Focus mode on your iPhone. If you are using WhatsApp, you can just archive their chat to achieve a similar result. You can also turn on the Unwanted Senders filter to filter out all iMessage texts from unknown senders.
On an Android, you can filter out spam messages in the Messages app or use a third-party app to cut down on spam from unknown senders.
