Editorial direction by Holly··texting, iphone, how-to
Hide Alerts vs. Block on iPhone: which one should you use?
Hide Alerts quiets a chat. Block cuts someone off. Do Not Disturb silences everything. What each does, what the other person sees, and how to set them.
The family group chat about the reunion potluck has hit 140 messages. Or a neighbor texts you twelve times a day. Or someone you’d rather not hear from at all keeps trying. Your iPhone has three different tools for these, and they work very differently.
The quick version
| Tool | What it does | Do they know? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hide Alerts | Messages still arrive, your phone just doesn’t buzz | No | Busy group chats, chatty people you still love |
| Block | Their texts and calls don’t reach you | Not told, but they may figure it out | People you don’t want to hear from |
| Do Not Disturb | Silences everything for a while | They may see “has notifications silenced” | Sleep, church, a doctor’s appointment |
Hide Alerts: the polite one
Hide Alerts mutes one conversation. Messages still come in and you can read them anytime. You just won’t get a buzz or a banner. A little crossed-out bell appears next to the chat so you remember.
The other person is never told. This is the kindest way to step back from a group chat without leaving it.
How to turn it on:
- Open Messages.
- Find the conversation and swipe it to the left.
- Tap the bell icon.
Or open the conversation, tap the name or group photo at the top, and turn on Hide Alerts. Do the same thing again to turn alerts back on.
Block: the firm one
Blocking stops someone’s texts, phone calls, and FaceTime calls from reaching you. Their iMessages show as sent on their end, but you never get them. Their calls go straight to voicemail, and those voicemails get tucked into a separate “Blocked Messages” area you don’t have to listen to.
They aren’t notified, but people often notice when their calls never ring and texts never show “Delivered.”
How to block someone:
- Open the conversation in Messages.
- Tap their name or photo at the top.
- Tap the info button if needed, then scroll down and tap Block Caller (on some versions, Block this Caller).
To unblock later, go to Settings → Apps → Phone → Blocked Contacts (on older iPhones, Settings → Phone → Blocked Contacts), and swipe left on the name.
Blocking is the right choice for scammers, harassment, or an ex-anything you need distance from. For family, think twice. It’s hard to undo the feelings once they notice, and you’ll also miss real news.
Do Not Disturb: the “not right now” one
Do Not Disturb (the crescent moon) silences calls and notifications from everyone for a stretch of time. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen and tap Focus, then Do Not Disturb.
You can let important people through: in Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb, add people under Allowed People. Grandparents often add their kids, so a late-night emergency call still rings.
People texting you may see a note saying you have notifications silenced. Here’s what that note means.
Which one, when?
- The group chat won’t stop: Hide Alerts. If you want out entirely, here’s how to leave a group chat politely.
- A friend who overshares: Hide Alerts, and read them in one sitting when you have time.
- Spam or a scammer: Block, then delete. (Spotting one? See the unpaid toll text scam.)
- Someone who is upsetting you: Block, and tell someone you trust what’s going on.
- Nap time, dinner, or a funeral: Do Not Disturb.
If you’d rather say something than silently mute, the Response Generator can help you write a kind “I’m going to be quiet in the chat for a while” message.