Eleanor Finch
Political text messages are a common nuisance, especially during election season. In the US, voter information is public, so campaigns and voting organizations can access your details and send you messages. While iPhone users cannot block texts from unknown numbers, there are several ways to reduce the number of unwanted political texts you receive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to stop political text messages on iPhone | Reply with "STOP", "UNSUBSCRIBE", or "CANCEL" to opt out of future communications |
| Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) to report it to your carrier | |
| Filter messages from unknown senders by going to Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders | |
| Enable spam protection by going to Settings > Messages > Enable spam protection | |
| Use a third-party app such as Sifter, Should I Answer?, Hiya, or Truecaller |
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What You'll Learn
Replying 'Stop' or 'Unsubscribe'
Replying "Stop" or "Unsubscribe" is an effective way to opt out of receiving further political text messages on your iPhone. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), legitimate text campaign operators should remove you from their list if you reply with "STOP". This method also applies to other variations, such as "Unsubscribe" or "Cancel".
To ensure that you no longer receive unwanted political messages, you can take additional steps. First, you can adjust your iPhone settings to filter out unknown senders. Go to "Settings," scroll down and select "Messages," then scroll down again and toggle on "Filter Unknown Senders." This will send messages from unknown contacts to a separate folder or tab. However, this method may cause you to miss important messages from senders who are not in your contacts.
Another option is to contact your cell phone provider to inquire about their Spam Blocker options. Some providers, like AT&T, may offer to turn off text messaging or iMessage to prevent spam altogether. Additionally, you can forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) or report them as junk within your iPhone's Messages app. This reports the messages to Apple and your carrier, allowing them to investigate and potentially block the sender.
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Filtering unknown senders
If you're tired of receiving political text messages on your iPhone, one way to reduce interruptions from unwanted texts is to filter out unknown senders. Here's how you can set up this feature:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and select "Messages".
- In the Messages settings, scroll down to the "Filter Unknown Senders" option and toggle it on.
- Additionally, you can enable "Enable Spam Protection" within the Messages settings to further filter messages from unknown senders into a separate folder.
By turning on these settings, you can effectively reduce the number of unwanted political text messages appearing in your main inbox. However, it's important to note that you might also miss important messages, such as text reminders for appointments or reservations, as a result of filtering unknown senders.
Another option to stop political text messages is to respond with "STOP", "UNSUBSCRIBE", or "CANCEL" to opt out of future communications from that sender. You can also manually block each number sending you political messages by opening the Messages app, tapping and holding the message, and selecting "Block" from the menu that appears.
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Using a call-and-text-blocking app
If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you can use a call-and-text-blocking app to help you regain control of your phone. These apps are designed to filter out unwanted messages and calls, giving you a clutter-free and peaceful texting experience. Here's how you can use these apps effectively:
Choosing a Call-and-Text-Blocking App
Start by selecting a reputable call-and-text-blocking app that suits your needs. Popular options include Truecaller, Hiya, and Mr. Number, each offering unique features to enhance your texting experience. Truecaller, for instance, is well-known for its global functionality, automatically identifying spam numbers worldwide. Hiya excels at blocking specific callers with a single tap, while Mr. Number allows you to block calls and messages from entire countries or regions.
When choosing an app, consider your privacy. Some apps may require you to provide sensitive information, so be sure to read the privacy policies before installing them. Additionally, some apps charge a subscription fee, so factor that into your decision.
Installing and Setting Up the App
Once you've chosen your preferred app, install it on your iPhone. Most apps will guide you through the setup process, which usually involves granting certain permissions and customizing your blocking preferences. During setup, you may be asked to decide what information you want to submit to the app's database and whether you want to upload your contacts.
Utilizing the App's Features
Call-and-text-blocking apps offer a range of features to block political text messages effectively:
- Number Blocking: You can manually block specific numbers associated with political campaigns.
- Keyword Blocking: Some advanced apps allow you to block messages containing certain keywords or phrases, ensuring that any message with political references is instantly blocked.
- Location-Based Blocking: Certain apps, like SMS Shield, let you block all incoming messages from specific states or countries, which can be useful if you're receiving messages from particular regions.
- Spam Identification: Apps like Truecaller and Hiya use large databases to identify and block known spam numbers, ensuring that political spam texts are automatically blocked.
- Custom Blocking: SMS Shield offers custom blocking options, giving you the flexibility to tailor your blocking preferences.
Taking Additional Steps
While call-and-text-blocking apps are effective, you can also combine them with other methods for maximum protection:
- Filtering Unknown Senders: In your iPhone's settings, you can enable the "Filter Unknown Senders" option to ensure that messages from unknown numbers are separated into a different folder.
- Replying with "STOP": Legitimate political campaigns should remove you from their lists if you reply with "STOP," as advised by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Reporting Spam: You can report unsolicited texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM). Your carrier will then investigate and identify the sender.
By using a combination of call-and-text-blocking apps and other blocking methods, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted political text messages on your iPhone.
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Forwarding the message to your carrier
If you're receiving political text messages on your iPhone that you didn't ask for, you can forward them to your carrier to be investigated. The number to forward these messages to is 7726, or "SPAM" on your phone's keypad. Your carrier will then look into the sender to see if they are a known spammer. This method is also useful if the sender seems particularly untrustworthy, for example, if they are asking for money or sending false information.
Forwarding messages to your carrier is not the only way to deal with political spam. You can also enable spam protection on your iPhone, which will filter messages from unknown senders into a separate folder. To do this, open your Settings app, scroll down and select "Messages", then scroll down again and toggle on "Filter Unknown Senders". You can also toggle on "Enable spam protection" in the same menu.
If you're receiving a high volume of political spam, it may be worth investing in a personal data removal service. These services constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your data from the internet. However, it's important to note that no service can promise to remove all your data.
If you want to stop receiving political text messages from a specific sender, you can try replying "STOP", "UNSUBSCRIBE", or "CANCEL". Legitimate text campaign operators should remove you from their list if you do this. You can also block the number by opening the message, tapping and holding it until a menu appears, and then selecting "Block".
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Contacting the campaign office
If you are receiving unwanted political text messages on your iPhone, one option is to contact the campaign office to report the message. This can help prevent future communications and bring the issue to the campaign's attention, especially if they are not following best practices. Here are the steps you can take to contact the campaign office and stop receiving political text messages:
- Identify the source: Try to identify the campaign or organization sending you the text messages. Look for any contact information, such as a phone number, email address, or physical address, included in the text messages.
- Reach out: Once you have identified the source, you can reach out to the campaign office. You can call, email, or write to them, depending on the contact information available. Politely explain that you no longer wish to receive text messages from them and request that they remove your number from their distribution list.
- Provide necessary information: When contacting the campaign office, be sure to provide them with your phone number and any other relevant details, such as the specific text messages you have been receiving. This will help them identify and remove your number from their database.
- Follow up: If the text messages persist after your initial contact, don't hesitate to follow up with the campaign office. Politely reiterate your request and emphasize that you no longer consent to receiving their text messages. You can also inquire about their data removal process and ask to be permanently removed from their contact list.
- Explore other options: While contacting the campaign office is a good first step, you may also consider exploring other options to reduce unwanted political text messages. This includes enabling spam protection and filtering unknown senders on your iPhone, as well as reporting spam messages to your carrier or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Remember, it is your right to revoke consent for receiving text messages at any time. By taking these steps to contact the campaign office and exploring additional options, you can effectively reduce the number of unwanted political text messages on your iPhone.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to stop political text messages on your iPhone is to toggle on the "Filter Unknown Senders" option in your settings. You can also report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726. Additionally, legitimate text campaign operators should remove you from their list if you reply "STOP".
Go to your Settings app, scroll down and select "Messages", then scroll down again and toggle on "Filter Unknown Senders".
Forward the text message to 7726 ("SPAM"). This will send the message to your carrier, who will look into whether it was sent by a known spammer.
Legitimate text campaign operators are supposed to remove you from their list if you reply "STOP". You can also revoke consent by replying "STOP" to a text.
