Spam texts
How to stop spam texts
The short answer
On iPhone (iOS 26 and 27), turn on Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders > Screen Unknown Senders, and keep Filter spam on. On Android, keep Spam protection on in Google Messages > Messages settings > Protection & Safety. Report spam in the app, and forward spam texts to 7726 so your carrier can block the sender.
Checked on iOS 27.0.1 and Google Messages, October 2026 · Updated October 18, 2026
- Time
- 2 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Works on
- iPhone and Android
- Also
- Forward spam to 7726
On iPhone: screen unknown senders
iOS 26 and later
Texts from numbers you don’t know go to their own list instead of your conversations.
Open Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders and turn on Screen Unknown Senders. (Or in Messages, tap Filter > Manage Filtering.)
- Settings
- Apps
- Messages
- Unknown Senders
Make sure Filter spam is on in Messages > Filter > Manage Filtering (it is by default).
To report one: swipe left on it, tap Delete, then Delete and Report Spam.
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On Android: Google Messages spam protection
Google Messages is the texting app on Pixel, Samsung Galaxy (since Samsung Messages ended in the U.S.) and most Android phones.
In Google Messages, tap your profile picture > Messages settings > Protection & Safety > Spam protection, and check it’s on.
- Messages
- Messages settings
- Protection & Safety
- Spam protection
To report one: touch and hold the conversation, then choose Block and report it as spam.
Forward spam texts to 7726
Every major U.S. carrier accepts spam texts forwarded to 7726 (it spells SPAM) and uses them to block senders.
Forward the spam text to 7726.
Your carrier may reply asking for the number the text came from. Send it.
Beyond this setting
What else helps
Never tap the link
Package, toll and bank texts with links are the most common scams. Go to the company’s app or website yourself instead.
Got a specific number?
Check who’s been reporting it
See how often people reported a number to the FTC, what the calls were about, and what to do, at isthisnumberascam.com.
Questions
What people ask
How do I stop spam texts on my iPhone?
On iOS 26 and 27, turn on Settings > Apps > Messages > Unknown Senders > Screen Unknown Senders, keep Filter spam on, report spam texts, and forward them to 7726.
What is 7726?
The short code U.S. carriers use to collect spam texts (it spells SPAM on a keypad). Forwarding a text there helps your carrier block the sender.
Does reporting a spam text block the sender?
Not on iPhone: reporting sends it to Apple or your carrier but doesn’t block. Block the sender separately if you want.
Sources
Checked against
Every step is checked against the official instructions. Menus change with updates; tell us if one has moved.