Call and Message Blocking App for iPhone, Suggestions Please!

[alarmguy]

Ok, it's political season again and I am SICK of constant all day text messages.

One thing I LOVED when I had an Android phone many moons ago was I could block entire area codes.
I find this a GLARING issue with iPhones, you know, the great Apple device I so much love, yet I cant block specific area codes. Why on earth do they not provide this useful feature?

Anyway I see there are 3rd party apps because "iOS does not allow blocking by area code natively, and this limitation necessitates alternative methods."
Anyway, just plain stupid that they do not include this.

I see an App in the Apple Store called Hiya. I HATE Free apps. Typically a catch but this app is mentioned in a dozen known publications. Including the Wall Street Journal and "Top Ten" app in (sorry to say this name) Time Magazine
"Cult Of Mac" says "Essential"

Anyone use it? Its also available on Android
I ONLY want it for one purpose, block entire area codes. I already know the built in features available from Apple but it does not include full zip code blocking.
https://www.hiya.com/products/app

 

[alarmguy]

Never Mind, Downloaded Hiya and will most likely delete it now. Its more than I need and all I want to do is block area codes and I cant find a place in the app to do so.

Because I then saw these simple instructions (for now anyway) using Apple Contact list.

Method 1: Create Contacts & Block Them​

1. Make a Contact: Open your Contacts app and tap the “+” button to create a new contact.
2. Enter the Area Code: Name the contact with the area code you want to block, starting with a “+1”. Example: “+1 555”.
3. Save and Block: Save the contact, then tap “Block this Caller”.

Source - https://gadgetmates.com/how-to-block-an-area-code-on-iphone

So what I did was name the new contact as follows
First Name = Area Code
Last Name = Block
Phone number 1+ (and the 3 digit area code)
Click Save this contact
Click Block Caller

 

[loneryder]

I find the calls come from all over the place not just one area code.

 

[Hall]

I see that you've already removed it but based on the fact that I have heard commercials or endorsements for HIYA on talk radio means it's not software that I'd probably ever use.

What options does your wireless carrier offer when it comes to blocking ?

So what I did was name the new contact as follows

Does that work ?

 

[alarmguy]

I see that you've already removed it but based on the fact that I have heard commercials or endorsements for HIYA on talk radio means it's not software that I'd probably ever use.

What options does your wireless carrier offer when it comes to blocking ?


Does that work ?

Well, I’m assuming it works, I won’t know until I know, you know?
I have entered two Area Code exchanges and I think I might even enter the 800 number exchanges as well

I don’t get a lot of spam calls or spam messages, except right now the political stuff is a pain in the neck. so I’ll know more and let you know how it works

I assume it worked well because it came from that link I provided above

Just some information for those who don’t know, Congress had the good wisdom to exempt political calls from the do not call list but then again that also goes for certain charities are religious groups meaning non-commercial interests
So being able to block, Area Code is very helpful

That’s one thing my Huawei phone did very well with android until of course they got banned from the United States LOL

By the way, I agree with you I do not really like to add any type of utility apps to my phone that goes for anything unnecessary

 

[alarmguy]

I find the calls come from all over the place not just one area code.

Yeah, a lot of it just depends on who has your phone number, spam blocking ability of your provider.
We don’t give out our cell number to many people and why we maintain a home phone line for less than seven dollars a month
It’s a phone line that we only let the answering machine pick up and nobody calls us on it except for spam calls because we use that number to give to any organization that we don’t give out our number to.

With iPhone and I’m assuming all phones, you can also block all calls and messages except from people in your contact list

I used to do that, but it got more complicated since we moved to a new state last year

 

[raaizin]

I just block all callers not on my contact list. When I MAY get a call from someone not on my contact list I just turn the feature off until I receive the call. I anyone needs to call me they will leave a voicemail and I will return call. Once you call them you will be able to receive future calls. Works for me.

 

[alarmguy]

I just block all callers not on my contact list. When I MAY get a call from someone not on my contact list I just turn the feature off until I receive the call. I anyone needs to call me they will leave a voicemail and I will return call. Once you call them you will be able to receive future calls. Works for me.

YES! I was doing that until me moved from our home of 16 years late 2022.
I had to turn it off for the move to a temp apartment while our new home was under construction and all the associated calls I did not want to miss, Closed 3/2023 on the new home but have had to leave it off for warranty work calls, health network and doctor calls, everything in-between since we are in a new state.

ANYWAY IF THIS HELPS ANYONE, I HAVE FOUND OUT, WHAT I FOUND ONLINE WORKS!
FINALLY FOUND A WAY TO ELIMINATE ENTIRE ZIP CODES ON MY IPHONE instead of limiting incoming calls to my contact list because of what I typed above.
Anyway, my post above #2 does work. and @raaizin post just reminded me to update this post when I realized I haven't been bothered by endless political party text messages.