Block Spam Texts | Dont Text 4+

I was using TextKiller before, but that one charges and was letting certain things through, such as when you are involuntarily added to a google group (why is that even possible?) full of sleazy content. I started getting those about 250 times a day. I wished there was a way to enter keywords to block. Then I found out about Don’t Text. It lets you filter using keywords. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be filtering the known spam Text Killer did filter, so I’m getting those 20-person group texts again. If iPhone allowed me to use both apps to filter instead of choosing just one, no spam would get through.

Thank you for the review and for using Dont Text! So glad to hear that Dont Text is blocking most of those spam texts but wish we were getting them all. If you send me a message from the website (https://donttext.app/contact/) your feedback about the texts that are not getting blocked could help me improve Dont Text. Thanks!

I was so excited to find this app and made a huge list of keywords that should work to block the spam political texts that I have been overwhelmed by in the last year or so. (no idea who got me on some list but it’s out of control.) However, what it doesn’t say in the description —and you don’t learn until you explore “why isn’t it working?“— Is that it will only work on SMS not iMessage. Apparently, most of the spam texts I’m getting ARE iMessage so it doesn’t work at all. I gave three stars because the developer is nice and actually takes feedback on his website. I want him to know that if he actually invented a way that this app worked on iMessage not just SMS, I would pay really good money for that. Seriously. Apple doesn’t do anything but sort them into an unknown list but you still see them in your badges and you have to delete eventually or it shows in the badge count. I have asked Apple to at least have “unknown senders” not showing the badge count but what they really should do is implement what this developer is doing …except for iMessage. You should be able to list words and have those texts obliterated into infinity and never see them. This developer has the right idea, and again, if this app is ever updated to effectively Block iMessage keywords you identify, I will very happily pay an annual fee.

Hey Mark - thank you for your review.

I remember chatting with you over email but I'm posting this here for others reading reviews.

Unfortunately, Dont Text can only block SMS texts messages (green message bubbles) and NOT block iMessages (blue message bubbles). This is a limitation imposed by Apple. 

Apple only gives developer apps access to filter SMS texts. Dont Text is not triggered on iMessages so it can't even attempt to filter them (the app has no idea you received an iMessage). Again, this is a limit that Apple designed so no app can ever block iMessages. I'm not 100% sure why they impose this limitation other than to protect the iMessage brand.

I totally agree with you that it would be great to also filter spam texts that are iMessages. I would love to add this feature to the app but Apple doesn't allow it or make it possible

I have been getting several spam texts per week. I report them to my carrier as spam as well as to the FTC, block each number in my phone, & delete the text. They just keep coming from new numbers.

I tried this app because I’m so sick of it. I’m just using the free version. I scrolled through all of my reported texts & used those as a template of what keywords to enter in the block list. So far, only one spam text had made it to my primary inbox since installation & it did not include any of the blocked keywords, so I added them. I’ve found a few blocked texts in the junk folder & still reported to spam & FTC & blocked & deleted. I have no idea if that helps, but I figure it can’t hurt. At least I’m not getting all the notifications, which helps. Another user reported she was still getting the spam group texts. I have not gotten one of those since installation, so I’ll deal with that when it happens.

But I’m pleased so far & I think it’s doing the most that can be done, as I’ve heard iPhone will not allow any texts to be completely blocked & so they must be sent through. Not getting constant notifications is the best I can hope for & I’ll gladly take it!

Thank you for your review! So glad to hear that Dont Text is working for you so far! If you ever have any questions or need any help, please don't hesitate to reach out. Thank you again!