Block, filter, and report messages on iPad

In the Messages app , you can reduce the number of unwanted messages you receive when you block individuals, filter unknown senders, and report spam or junk messages.

Note: A known sender is anyone you’ve added to the Contacts app or sent a message to.

Block messages from a specific person or number

When you block a specific contact or phone number, messages from that person or number aren’t delivered. (The person sending the message doesn’t know that their message was blocked.)

Open the Messages app on your iPad.
In a Messages conversation, tap the name or number at the top of the conversation.
Tap Info , scroll down, then tap Block this Caller.

Tip: Instead of blocking all the senders in a group conversation, you can simply leave it or stop its notifications.

If you’re still having trouble with unwanted messages, see the Apple Support article Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone or iPad.

Filter messages from unknown senders

With iMessage, you can prevent unknown senders from texting you directly. Their messages are filtered to another folder, and you don’t get notified about them.

Go to Settings > Messages.
Scroll down to Message Filtering, then turn on Filter Unknown Senders.

If this setting is on and you’re missing a message, check to see if it was filtered to Unknown Senders. Tap in the top-left corner of the screen, then tap Unknown Senders.

Note: You canʼt open any links sent by an unknown sender until you make them a known sender—by adding them to your contacts or replying to the message.

Report spam or junk messages

When you use iMessage, you can report spam or junk messages to Apple, which then receives the sender’s information and message. Depending on your carrier and country or region, you can also report spam you receive with SMS and MMS.

Open the Messages app on your iPad.
Do one of the following:
- If you haven’t opened the message: Swipe left on the message, tap , then tap Delete and Report Junk.
- If you’ve already opened the message: A Report Junk link appears at the bottom of any message from any unknown sender. Tap Report Junk, then tap Delete and Report Junk.
  Note: You can’t report a message after you’ve replied to it.
- If you don’t see the option to report spam or junk messages (forwarded from your iPhone, that you received by SMS or MMS): Contact your carrier. See the Apple Support article Wireless carrier support and features for iPhone.

The sender’s information and the message are sent to Apple, and the message is permanently deleted from your iPad.

If you accidentally report and delete messages, you can recover them.

Reporting junk or spam doesn’t prevent the sender from sending messages, but you can block the number to stop receiving them.

To decrease incoming spam or junk messages from new numbers, you can filter them. See Filter messages from unknown senders, above.

Manage your list of blocked contacts

Go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts.
Do any of the following:
- Unblock a number you’ve blocked: Swipe left on a number in the list, then tap Unblock. Or tap Edit, then tap .
- Add additional contacts or numbers directly to the list: Scroll down, then tap Add New.

To learn about other ways you can report and prevent unwanted messages, see the Apple Support article Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Block, filter, and report messages on iPad

Block messages from a specific person or number

Filter messages from unknown senders

Report spam or junk messages

Manage your list of blocked contacts