Content, data, and message blocking features

Use this page to learn about the blocking services for content, data, messaging, and more.

Call blocking: Business and Government

 

  • Block incoming calls
    • Network and Wi-Fi incoming calls blocked - Calls not delivered to voicemail
    • Generic message played about not being able to receive calls
  • Block outbound calls
    • Network and Wi-Fi outgoing calls blocked
    • Generic message played about not being able to place calls
  • No impacts to incoming or outgoing messages

 

 

  • Block incoming calls is eligible to B and G account typs and is available in business channels.
  • Block outgoing calls is eligible to B, G, and I/S account types at the subscriber level and is available in business channels.

 

To add the feature to an account, add the SOC below to each line.

  • Block incoming calls ($0): SOC ZINCALBK
  • Block outgoing calls ($0): SOC ZOBCALBK 

 

 

  • iOS devices using the ZOBCALBK SOC have personal hotspot blocked by default. 
  • Care or Retail must be contacted to have the feature added or removed. It is not available via self-service. 

Content blocking

Content blocking prevents charges from third-party apps and services. It should be offered as the primary preventative measure to customers who request refunds related to third-party content. 

 

  • App and purchase charges from third-party companies.
  • Paid apps and in-app purchases from storefronts like the Google Play Store.
    • Google Play is blocked because it supports T-Mobile Carrier Billing.
    • Apple Store is not blocked (Carrier Billing is not supported in the U.S.).
  • Donations and political contributions (e.g., Red Cross).
  • Collect text services, such as those from correctional facilities.
  • Premium content or service subscriptions.

 

  • Free downloads, including free apps or content.
  • Online purchases made directly by the customer (charges still apply).
  • Third-party purchases made with alternate payment methods (e.g., credit card in Play Store).
  • 411 Directory Assistance.
  • Free text notifications from content providers.
  • Free apps from stores like Google Play and Apple App Store.
  • Content blocking does not work when:
    • Roaming internationally
    • Using Family Allowances
    • Using high-speed internet access

 

  • Available on all voice (GSM) and mobile internet lines.
  • This feature cannot be added to accounts for business customers participating in T-Mobile for Business Marketplace purchases. 
  • This feature cannot be backdated.

 

Review potential plan and feature impacts. To add content blocking to an account, add the SOC below to each BAN or subscriber, depending on the customer's request.

  • GSM Content Blocking BAN level $0 (SOC: BCONTB)
  • GSM Content Block Subscriber level $0 (SOC: BCONTS)
  • MI Content Blocking BAN level $0 (SOC: GBBCONTB)
  • MI Content Block Subscriber level $0 (SOC: MBBBCONTS)

Data features

Data blocking prevents a device from accessing the internet through the mobile network. This feature is especially useful for customers who want to:

  • Avoid unintended data charges

  • Limit internet access on a child’s or dependent’s device

  • Control data usage on lines that don't need mobile internet access

 

  • Web browsing.
  • App usage that requires mobile data (e.g., streaming, social media, email).
  • Background data usage, such as automatic updates or syncing.
  • All network data.
  • MMS (picture/video messages) may not work if data blocking is turned on, since they require a mobile data connection.
 
  • Wi-Fi data is not blocked.
  • Emergency services (911) are still accessible even if data blocking is enabled.

 

  • NODATA & DECLDATA
    • Eligible to all customers
    • NODATA: For use with Magenta / Select / Advanced / Essentials level plans - $0
    • DECLDATA: For use with MAX / Plus / Ultimate level plans - $0
  • BLOCKDATA SOC only: Retired
    • B/C, B/L, B/M, B/N, B/O, B/P, I/S, G/F, & G/R
    • Eligible to all GSM Business, Government, and Business with SSN (I/S) subscriber plans (excluding GSM Data Only plans)
    • Available only in TFB and Care channels. Not available in Retail or Web channels

 

Add the SOC to each line on the account.

  • Go5G plans: $0 (NOGO5GDT)
  • Go5G Plus / Go5G Next plans: $0 (DCLGO5GDT)
  • Magenta / Select / Advanced / Essentials plans: $0 (NODATA)
  • Plus / MAX / Next / Ultimate level plans: $0 (DECLDATA)
  • Retired TFB Data blocking: $0 (BLOCKDATA)

Messages

Message blocking: Business

Message blocking provides business customers the ability to customize how they block messages on their accounts.

  • Block All Messaging: Blocks all incoming and outgoing messages over the T-Mobile network (includes RCS messaging).
  • Block SMS and MMS: Blocks all incoming and outgoing SMS and MMS messages (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
  • Block SMS: Blocks all incoming and outgoing SMS (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
  • Block SMS In: Blocks all incoming SMS (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
  • Block SMS Out: Blocks all outgoing SMS (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
  • Block MMS: Blocks all incoming and outgoing MMS (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
  • Block MMS In: Blocks all incoming MMS (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
  • Block MMS Out: Blocks all outgoing MMS (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
 
  • Free system messages: Messages from T-Mobile or third-party services may still be received and are free.
  • International messages: Some incoming international texts or picture messages might not be blocked.
  • Roaming: Messages may not be blocked when roaming on another carrier’s network.
  • Internet-based IM or email: Messages not sent to or from a @tmomail.net address or a mobile number might still come through.
    • These don’t have messaging charges
    • They use data and are covered by your data plan or internet add-on.
  • Wireless emergency alerts (WEA): These are always free. To stop receiving them, follow the WEA support guide.
  • Downloaded content messages: Messages linked to purchased games, ringtones, or other content may not be blocked.
    • You can use content blocking to stop these.
    • Download info is sent via free SMS when you buy ringtones, games, wallpapers, etc.

 

 

Business and Government customers: B/C, B/L, B/M, B/N, B/O, B/P, G/F, G/R, I/S.

 

BAN

Product Level Voice

Product Level MI

Subscriber Level Voice

Suscriber Level MI 

SMS Block All

BLOCKSMS

BKSMSBAN

BKMISMSB

BKSMSUB

BKSMSUBLN

SMS In Block

BANBKIN

BBKVSSIN

BBKMIIN

SUBBKVIN

SUBKMIIN

SMS Out Block

BANBKOUT

BBKVSOUT

BBKMIOUT

SUBBKVOUT

SUBKMIOUT

MMS Block All

BLOCKMMS

BKMMSBAN

BKMIMMSB

BKSMSBAN

BKMMSUB

SMS and MMS Block All

GBBMMSB

BMMSB

BKSMSMMS

BMMSS

MBBBMMSS

Message blocking: Postpaid

Message blocking lets customers block text messages (SMS), picture messages (MMS), instant messages (IMs), and emails.

 

  • Block all messaging: Stops all text messages (including RCS) from being sent or received over the T-Mobile network.
  • Block TMOMail email: Prevents emails sent to your number (e.g., 1234567890@tmomail.net) from being delivered as texts. To add an email message blocking to an account, you must add the required SOC to each line.
  • Block instant messaging: Blocks instant messages sent via short codes or SMS. Most modern IM apps use data instead of SMS, so they aren't affected.
  • Block SMS & MMS: Blocks all incoming and outgoing text and picture messages (including RCS) over the T-Mobile network.
  • Commercial message block for iMessage: Blocks incoming promotional or political messages sent through iMessage.
    Available for business and government accounts only.
 
  • Free system messages: Messages from T-Mobile or third-party services may still be received and are free.
  • International messages: Some incoming international texts or picture messages might not be blocked.
  • Roaming: Messages may not be blocked when roaming on another carrier’s network.
  • Internet-based IM or email: Messages not sent to or from a @tmomail.net address or a mobile number might still come through.
    • These don’t have messaging charges
    • They use data and are covered by your data plan or internet add-on.
  • Wireless emergency alerts (WEA): These are always free. To stop receiving them, follow the WEA support guide.
  • Downloaded content messages: Messages linked to purchased games, ringtones, or other content may not be blocked.
    • You can use content blocking to stop these.
    • Download info is sent via free SMS when you buy ringtones, games, wallpapers, etc.
  • High-speed internet gateway messages: Messages sent to these devices may still be received.If spam is an issue, change the mobile number and waive the fee.
  • Messaging your own number: Due to network updates, customers can no longer send texts to their own number.
  • The message won’t be delivered, even if it looks like it sent. This is normal—no need to report it.

 

 

  • All T-Mobile customers.
  • Google Messages: Most Android smartphones from 2018 or newer have RCS UP 1.0 capabilities.

 

BAN

Product

Mobile Internet

Voice

Block All Messaging: $0

GBBMSGB

BMSGB

MBBBMSGS

BMSGS

Block Instant Messaging: $0

GBBIMB

BIMB

N/A

BIMS

Block SMS & MMS: $0

GBBMMSB

BMMSB

MBBBMMSS

BMMSS

Block email: $0

Add the required SOC to each line.

GBBEMLB

BEMLB

MBBBEMLS

BEMLS

Block commercial messages $0

ZBLKBAN

ZBLKPGSM

ZBLKMISUB

ZBLKGSUB

Block RCS Messaging: $0

For reactive use only. Restricted to coaches and above.

BLKRCSBAN

BLKRCSGPL

BLKRCSMI

BLKRCSGSMB

 

  • About the BLKHNT SOC on Consumer HSI Lines
    • The BLKHNT SOC was automatically added to all consumer High-Speed Internet (HSI) lines in early 2025.
    • It blocks spam and advertising messages from reaching the gateway — only messages from T-Mobile will come through.
    • This setting does not affect your service or data usage.
    • Do not recommend replacing the gateway — it's not a device issue.
    • Continue with standard troubleshooting steps if needed.
    • For new activations, it may take a few hours for everything to sync — this is normal.
    • Do not remove the SOC — removing it triggers a network re-evaluation and may cause data to appear restored, but this isn’t a direct result of removing the SOC.
  • Block Non-TMO Internet G/W SMS: $0 (This SOC is necessary for all HSI customers to prevent unwanted and potentially harmful SMS messages to HSI Gateways. Do not remove it from HSI service lines.)
    • BAN SOC: NA
    • Product SOC: NA
    • MI SOC: BLKHNT
    • Voice SOC: NA

 

Before switching to this plan, review any plan or feature changes with your customer, and go over the following:

  • To block messages via Google Messages: Messages home screen > tap and hold message > block
  • To block iMessage: Messages home screen > tap message > tap contact > info > block this caller
  • Message blocking isn't compatible with Family Allowances or high-speed internet (HSI).
  • Voicemail-to-text won’t work if a text messaging block is active on the account.
  • Features can’t be added retroactively (no backdating).
  • Don’t add features to lines that already have a messaging feature at the subscriber level.

Message blocking: Prepaid

Prepaid legacy message and content blocking provides the option to block chargeable messages or downloadable content.

 

  • Ability to block all chargeable messages or downloads based on the feature selected.
  • System generated error messages will occur when attempting to use a blocked service.
  • Message blocking only blocks chargeable messages.
  • Content blocking features block games, ringtones and wallpapers.
  • Message blocking features block text messages (SMS), picture messages (MMS) and email.
 
  • Free system-generated messages from T-Mobile.

  • Free text messages from content providers sent to notify customers who purchase content (ringtones, games, wallpaper). Costs associated with the download are applied to their account as normal.

  • Some incoming international SMS/MMS messages may not be blocked. This depends on how the international carrier's networks deliver messages to our network.

  • Internet-initiated IMs or email not sent to or from a @tmomail.net address.

  • Wireless AMBER Alerts.

 

All prepaid legacy plans.

 

To add a message and content blocking feature to an account, add the description below to each line.

  • Block all chargeable content downloads ($0): BLOCK_DOWNLOADS
  • Block all chargeable message types ($0): BLOCK_ALL_MESSAGING
  • Block chargeable SMS/MMS ($0): BLOCK_SMS_MMS
  • Block chargeable Email ($0): BLOCK_EMAIL
  • Block chargeable IM ($0): BLOCK_IM

 

  • All message blocking features aren't compatible with plans that include unlimited messaging. If added to an incompatible plan, all messages will be blocked.
  • Do not remove the mandatory incoming/outgoing messaging (SMO/SMT) features to prevent messaging. Explain these benefits to customers:
    • Voicemail notifications
    • Billing notifications
    • Over-the-air (OTA) notifications provide system and network updates.

Mobile Hotspot: Business

This feature only blocks hotspot or tethering data (when a device shares its internet). Not all plans support this feature. Before offering, check with a sales engineer or the FIRE team to make sure the customer’s plan is compatible.

 

Hotspot or tethering data when a device shares its internet.

 

Regular on-device data usage.

  • Eligible: 
    • Business and Government accounts
    • BC, BM, BO, GF, GR account types
  • Not eligible:
    • Individual liable accounts
    • Retail / In-store

 

  • MHS TTHR Blocking Mobile Internet: $0 (ZBMHSTHTM)
  • MHS TTHR Blocking GSM: $0 (ZBMHSTHTG)

 

When the block is applied:

  • iPhone (iOS): The Personal Hotspot option disappears from Settings, so the customer can't turn it on.
  • Android: The customer can turn on Personal Hotspot and connect another device, but that device won’t be able to use any data.

Multiple device services

Add multiple device service blocking to normal GSM lines to prevent the sending and receiving of calls and messages on devices enabled with multiple device services (MDS), such as DIGITS or Apple's Continuity.

 

  • Blocks devices capable of multiple device services (DIGITS and Apple Continuity) from sending/receiving any calls and messages over the T-Mobile network on the GSM line.
  • Prevents voice calls and messages from being sent or received over the T-Mobile network to or from devices using the same MSISDN or ID.
  • This does not affect calls or messages sent when all devices are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • This feature must be removed to allow DIGITS or Continuity to work.

 

  • Available to customers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico (SJP)
  • Customers using DIGITS or Apple devices with Continuity.

 

Add the $0 Block Mulitple Device Usage SOC (DBLOCK) to each line on the account.