Quick answer: To stop spam texts, turn on your phone’s built-in spam filter (Filter Unknown Senders on iPhone, Spam Protection in Google Messages on Android), block and report each spam number, and forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). Never reply “STOP” to unknown numbers — it confirms your number is active and can bring more spam.
If your messages app feels like a junk folder, you are not alone. Spam texts — fake delivery notices, “bank alerts,” and too-good-to-be-true prize messages — reach billions of phones every month, and they keep coming from new numbers. The good news: you do not have to just delete them forever. With the right settings and a few smart habits, you can cut most spam texts off before they ever reach you. Here is how to stop spam texts on both iPhone and Android.
1. Turn on Filter Unknown Senders (iPhone)
The single most effective iPhone setting is already on your phone. Open Settings > Messages and switch on Filter Unknown Senders (on newer iOS versions this lives under Unknown & Spam). Messages from numbers not in your contacts move into a separate inbox, so scams stop interrupting your main conversation list and you can review or delete them in one place.
2. Turn on Spam Protection (Android)
Android’s Google Messages app has its own shield. Open Messages, tap your profile or the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Spam protection, and toggle on Enable spam protection. Suspected spam texts get flagged, and dangerous messages are moved away from your main inbox automatically.
3. Block and report each spam number
When one slips through, do not just delete it — block it and report it:
- On iPhone: open the spam text, tap the sender’s number at the top, tap Info, then choose Block this Caller. You can also tap Report Junk on the message to flag it for your carrier and Apple.
- On Android: in Google Messages, touch and hold the spam message and choose Block, then check the box to Report spam so the number is flagged.
Blocking alone will not stop every scam — scammers rotate numbers — but combined with reporting it steadily shrinks the flow.
4. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)
Every major carrier supports 7726 (which spells SPAM). Forward any suspicious text to that number and you will get a confirmation reply asking for the sender’s number. It is free, takes five seconds, and feeds carrier-level spam filters that protect everyone. Think of it as voting every scammer’s number off the network.
5. Never reply “STOP” or tap links
This is the mistake that keeps people trapped in spam loops. Replying STOP to an unknown number — or tapping any link in the message — tells scammers your number is active. Active numbers are worth more, so your number can be sold on to other scammers. The only time “STOP” is safe is for a service you genuinely signed up for, like your own bank or airline. For anything unknown: no reply, no clicks, just block and report.
6. Try a spam-blocking app
Built-in filters catch a lot, but dedicated apps add a second layer with huge databases of known spam numbers. Popular options include Truecaller, Hiya, and RoboKiller — all available on iPhone and Android. They identify suspicious callers and texts in real time and update their databases constantly as scammers change numbers.
7. Register on the Do Not Call list
In the US, register your number at donotcall.gov. It will not stop criminals — scammers ignore the law — but it legally cuts off legitimate telemarketers, which removes a big chunk of unwanted messages. Carriers also offer free network-level spam tools, so check your carrier’s app or website for its own spam protection features.
How to spot a scam text in seconds
Before you ever tap anything, watch for these red flags:
- Unknown or odd-looking sender — short codes you do not recognize, email-style addresses, or numbers from countries you have no connection to.
- Urgency and fear — “Your account is locked,” “Immediate action required,” “Your package cannot be delivered.” Scammers rush you so you do not think.
- Links — especially shortened URLs. Banks and delivery companies do not ask you to click random links to fix problems.
- Requests for money or codes — any text asking for gift cards, wire transfers, or a “verification code” is a scam. Real companies never ask this way.
- Prize and giveaway bait — “You won!” messages to contests you never entered are always fake.
Frequently asked questions
Does replying STOP make spam worse? Replying to unknown or scam texts confirms your number is active, which can lead to more spam from more scammers. Only reply STOP to services you knowingly signed up for.
Why do I keep getting spam texts from different numbers? Scammers use number spoofing to rotate through new numbers constantly. That is why blocking single numbers is never enough on its own — the built-in spam filters, 7726 reporting, and a spam-blocking app together are what actually shrink the flow.
Can a spam text hack my phone? A text by itself cannot take over your phone, but the links inside can. Malicious links can lead to phishing sites that steal your logins or install malware. The rule is simple: never tap a link in an unexpected text.
Is it enough to just delete spam texts? Deleting hides the message but changes nothing — the scammer never knows. Blocking, reporting (including to 7726), and turning on your phone’s spam filter are what actually reduce future messages.
Spam texts are annoying, but they are not unbeatable. Switch on your phone’s spam filter, forward scams to 7726, never feed scammers with replies, and let the block button do its job. Most people see a dramatic drop within a few weeks. While you are hardening your phone, it is also worth reviewing your phone charging habits and learning how to free up storage on your iPhone — a healthier phone all around.