Is it possible to write an application that will block incoming and outcoming phone calls? Or is the iPhone locked down too much? Thanks!
+14
A:
Anything that modifies a user's ability to make or receive phone calls is going to run afoul of Apple's basic approach to third-party apps. There are a lot of things that are questionable and you might get away with. Blocking calls is clearly forbidden.
Rob Napier
2009-05-19 18:20:58
Thank you. That's what i was afraid of.
2009-05-19 18:23:12
Why would you be afraid of that? What I would be afraid of is a software that prevents me from receiving calls.
Martin Cote
2009-05-19 18:27:00
Could be that he accepted a project request from a client for something that blocks calls, not knowing the limitations. Bad call to not research before you leap though. Sorry
Organiccat
2009-05-19 19:14:24
There's always jailbreak!
Isaac Waller
2009-05-20 03:36:14
I just got a call from an Australian phone spam bank. I wish I could add that number to a blocking app. Seems like a legitimate use case and S60 phones have an app that does this, from what I hear.
Andrew Hedges
2009-06-02 22:07:49
Call blocking is and should be handled by the carrier, not the phone. Any piece of it that should be handled by the phone (such as a convenient "add this recent call to my block list") needs to be handled by the phone system software, not a third party app.
Rob Napier
2009-06-03 11:55:24
If all you want is to not hear some incoming calls, just add a 'silent' ringtone (there's plenty of instructions about how to add your own ringtones) and then assign that ringtone to the offending caller in your contacts list.
Michael Kohne
2009-07-09 11:27:19
I would LOVE to be able to block specific phone numbers. Its my phone. Its my minutes. I pay the bill. When you get collections calling about accounts from some other person who either lied and gave our your number or previously had your number - you'd want that ability too. Bottom line is that I am paying and I should have the final say as to who can use my minutes up and who cant.
Optimal Solutions
2009-12-25 05:59:25
@Optimal, call your carrier. They can do this.
Mike Daniels
2010-02-25 19:06:33
Optimal Solutions
2010-02-27 04:32:41
I don't agree with this answer. iPhone makes it easy to make incorrect calls and some people would keep calling back. That's unwanted calls. Google "block unwanted calls" you will find out many discussions and cases. There are some applications available.
David.Chu.ca
2010-04-22 19:46:23
+1
A:
Apps cannot block phone calls. The user can turn on Airplane Mode in the settings, though.
ceejayoz
2009-05-19 18:21:06
+2
A:
A number of events will potentially interrupt an application - incoming call, SMS message or calendar alert. If the user ignores the interruption your application will continue running. If not, it will terminate.
See Apple docs for more details.
MikeJ
2009-05-19 18:39:11
A:
Well, what I think the guy is asking and I have thought of this myself is to have an app where you can chose to block certain numbers from ever ringing the phone.
I personally would see where some people would want this. Such as blocking an ex-girlfriend/boyfriend from ringing your phone of the hook.
TheGambler
2009-05-20 03:04:15
Lets be honest, he wants to block his current girlfriend from ringing the phone during hours when he is with his wife.
tster
2009-10-21 04:41:12
+1
A:
Pre-iPhone I had a series of Palms. My last Treo had a really useful app (forget the name, sorry) that did exactly what Elliot was asking (I think). I had the free version whih allowed me to enter up to 5 numbers that I could selectively choose to send to voice mail or block completely - both gave no indication whatsoever of an incoming call. You could also use one of the 5 spots to specify an any number like 1-800-*-**. I've been searching for a similar iPhone app and from what I have read above, it sounds like Apple has an issue with such an app (too bad) - which I don't really understand but the older I get, the more used to not understanding I get :).
A:
The answer has been given earlier in this thread but no one even bothered to acknowledge it. The app is called iBlacklist and it's available in Cydia for $12. However, it will only allow you to block 2 numbers for FREE.
Dexter
2010-06-18 09:03:08
A:
The reason iBlacklist is not even acknowledged is because its costs $12 and your iPhone must be hacked into or jailbroken.
johnny
2010-07-19 23:55:14
A:
An app has not access to the phone feature, and has no way to block a call.
The alternative is to wait for Apple to offer that feature in the future.
In the meantime, you can
- Ask your provider - some providers do that
- Create a custom ring tone (silent) to be associated to some number (no ring).
ring0
2010-10-10 14:52:15