How to block an area code
Getting swamped with spam calls and unwanted text messages? Finding that a disproportionate number of them are coming from the same area codes? It’s tempting to solve this problem simply by blocking calls and texts from those area codes, but there are some reasons you might want to hold off on that plan.
When it comes to blocking calls and texts from a specific area code, the cure can be worse than the disease. Instead, we have some other things you can do for a safer, more permanent fix.
In short:
- To block an area code, you’d need to use a third-party app, something that comes with plenty of dangers and caveats of its own. So much so that we don’t recommend it in most cases.
- To stop spam calls and texts in the short term, block the specific numbers that are causing you grief one by one.
- In some cases, blocking all connections from unknown numbers might be for you.
- The safest and most long-term solution is to stop spammers and scammers from being able to find you in the first place.
How to block an entire area code, and why you shouldn’t
The only way to block all calls and texts coming from a specific area code would be through the use of a third-party app. Yes, there’s an iPhone app for that, many in fact, and many Android apps as well. The problem with this approach is that the app you use may end up doing more harm than good.
Many of these apps are produced by data brokers, the companies that may well be responsible for the calls and texts you’re trying to block in the first place. A simple call blocker requires more permissions than you might think. Granting those permissions to a malicious app could be disastrous.
Even if the app isn’t outright malicious, meaning it won’t steal your passwords or install viruses on your phone, there’s still a significant risk. Many of them are developed, owned by, or in some other way associated with data brokers.
Once one of these apps has raided your contacts list and grabbed other personal data from your phone, you can expect to get even more spam calls and text messages. This is because data brokers are usually the reason you’re looking for a way to block an area code in the first place.
If you’re still set on doing this, then check with your wireless provider first: it might have a call-filtering app or call-blocking service you could use. If all else fails, look for a trusted call-blocking app on your app store. A free app is more likely to be problematic than a paid one, but a premium price tag is certainly no guarantee.
Some popular options include:
- Truecaller: Block Calls and Look Up Numbers
- Hiya: Caller ID and Spam Blocker
- Robokiller – Spam Call Blocker
All three receive generally positive reviews and are available for both Android and iOS phones.
We’re not recommending any specific apps because, frankly, we couldn’t find one that we’d be comfortable endorsing. For this reason, these apps (unless they come from your carrier) should be a temporary solution of last resort.
The painstaking option: block individual numbers
Whether you have an iPhone or an Android, we’ve got step-by-step guides for how to block specific numbers using your phone’s settings. Check these guides out for starters: this is how you can stop robocalls and other spam calls and this is how you can stop spam texts.
The nuclear option: block all calls from unknown numbers
You can set your iPhone or Android phone to reject all calls from numbers that haven’t been saved in your contacts list. We have a detailed guide on how to do this on both Android and iOS here.
The major drawback of this method is that you’re likely to miss legitimate calls from unknown numbers, like appointment reminders, delivery notifications, and test results.
The smarter option: make it harder for spammers to find you in the first place
Data brokers are companies that specialize in gathering, processing, and selling personal information. They’re possibly the reason you’re getting hammered with unsolicited calls and messages from certain area codes: spammers, scammers, and cybercriminals often buy personal data from data brokers.
So the smarter option in dealing with this deluge is to make it so that these people can’t find your phone number (and other details) in the first place. For starters, these spammers are probably using fake numbers, so you can add numbers to your blacklist all you like, they’re not likely to run out anytime soon.
Check out our opt-out guides to remove your personal information from these sites by yourself. That can get extremely tedious and time-consuming very quickly, though. Try Incogni’s automated personal information removal service to have the whole situation taken off your hands. We’ll get and keep your personal information off data broker and people search sites.
FAQ
How do I block all calls from a certain area code?
There’s no guaranteed-safe way to block all calls from a certain area code, unfortunately. There are plenty of apps available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store that allow you to block a specific area code, but giving the wrong permissions to an untrustworthy app could lead to far greater problems.
Is it possible to block all calls from a country?
Yes, it’s possible to block all calls from a country. You can do this by installing a call-blocking or spam-call-filtering app and using it to block all calls with the given country code. Apps like these get mixed reviews, but many seem to be effective. We don’t recommend installing untrusted apps, though.
How do I block all incoming calls with code XYZ?
To block all incoming calls with a given area or country code, you could use a call-blocking app and either select the given code (the 877 area code, for example) or use the wildcard symbol “*” to filter all calls beginning with a given string of numbers. For the 877 area code, this would be “877*”.
Can you block a country code on iPhone?
There’s no way to block a country code on an iPhone using the native settings. You could install a third-party app to do this, but we don’t recommend giving untrusted apps the kinds of permissions they’d need to provide this feature. Using the wrong app could lead to more spam calls rather than fewer.
How do I block a range of phone numbers?
To block a range of numbers, you’d need a third-party call-blocking app that lets you either tap on or input ranges of phone numbers, or one that accepts regular expressions and/or Boolean operators (like the wildcard asterisk). We recommend against installing untrusted third-party apps.
Can you block all unknown numbers on iPhone?
Yes, you can block all unknown numbers on an iPhone. To block calls from numbers that aren’t in your contacts list, go to “settings,” then “phone,” and scroll down and tap “silence unknown callers.” For messages, go to “settings,” then “messages.” Scroll down and tap on “filter unknown senders.”
How do I automatically block international calls?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to automatically block international calls. The simplest and surest solution might be to simply not pick up calls with international country codes. If you’re being harassed by some numbers in particular, you can block those individual numbers using your phone’s settings.
How do I block an 855 area code?
To block an 855 area code, you’d need to install a third-party app that allows you to block particular area codes or one that accepts wildcards, like the asterisk (*). Your mobile carrier might have an app like this on offer for its customers. Exercise extreme caution when installing third-party apps.
Is there a way to restrict incoming calls?
Yes, there are several ways to restrict incoming calls. You can use your phone’s settings to filter calls coming from unknown numbers or to filter out individual numbers by adding them to your blocked list. Phone companies often provide apps for blocking calls and there’s also third-party blocking software available.
What is *# 67 used for?
The code “*#67” isn’t used for anything we could find, but it’s similar to both “*#67#” (which is used to check your call-forwarding settings on mobile) and “*67” (which is used to stop your caller ID from showing up when you call someone).
How can I stop receiving calls without blocking?
To stop receiving calls without blocking, you can set your phone to silent and your voicemail to pick up after as few rings as possible. This way, you’re not blocking any calls but you’re also technically not receiving them (but your phone is). Blocking is the only way to truly stop receiving calls.
How do I block +44 numbers on my iPhone?
To block +44 numbers on your iPhone, you’d need a call filter that allows you to select specific country codes (+44 is the code for the United Kingdom). Phone companies sometimes provide apps that can do this. We recommend against installing random third-party apps to achieve the same ends.
