How to Stop Phone Calls on My Mac
Are you tired of receiving unwanted phone calls on your Mac? Whether it’s telemarketers, spam calls, or just a general nuisance, there are several methods you can employ to put an end to these interruptions. In this article, we’ll explore various ways to stop phone calls on your Mac, ensuring you can enjoy a peaceful computing experience.
1. Utilize the Do Not Disturb Feature
The Do Not Disturb feature on your Mac is a quick and easy way to silence incoming calls. Here’s how to enable it:
- Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select “System Preferences.”
- Click on “Do Not Disturb.”
- Toggle the “Do Not Disturb” switch to the “On” position.
- Optionally, you can set specific times when Do Not Disturb should be enabled automatically.
When Do Not Disturb is enabled, your Mac will ignore incoming calls, notifications, and alerts until it’s turned off or the scheduled time has passed.
2. Block Unwanted Numbers
Another effective way to stop phone calls on your Mac is to block specific numbers. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the “Messages” app on your Mac.
- Click on the “Messages” menu at the top of the screen and select “Preferences.”
- Go to the “Messages” tab.
- Click on the “+” button to add a new contact.
- Enter the phone number you want to block in the “Phone” field.
- Click “Add.”
- Return to the “Messages” app and select the contact you just created.
- Click on the “i” button next to the contact’s name.
- Toggle the “Block This Contact” switch to the “On” position.
Once a number is blocked, it will no longer be able to call your Mac. You can also block numbers directly from the phone number screen by clicking the “i” button and toggling the “Block This Caller” switch.
3. Use a Third-Party Call Blocking App
There are several third-party call blocking apps available for your Mac that offer more advanced features and customization options. Here are a few popular options:
App | Description | Price |
---|---|---|
TrueCaller | Identifies unknown numbers and blocks spam calls. | Free with in-app purchases |
Hiya | Blocks spam calls and identifies unknown numbers. | Free with in-app purchases |
Call Blocker | Blocks unwanted calls and texts. | Free |
These apps typically require you to install them on your Mac and may require you to grant them access to your contacts and call logs. Once installed, you can add numbers to a block list and configure the app to automatically block calls from those numbers.
4. Set Up Call Forwarding
If you want to temporarily stop receiving calls on your Mac, you can set up call forwarding to another number. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the “Messages” app on your Mac.
- Click on the “Messages” menu at the top of the screen and select “Preferences.”
- Go to the “Accounts” tab.
- Select the account you want to forward calls to (e.g., your mobile phone number).
- Click on the “Advanced” button.
- Toggle the “Call Forwarding” switch to the “On” position.
- Enter the phone number you want to forward calls to.
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
With call forwarding enabled,