# WideProtect SMS Blocker — user reviews > 50 indexed App Store user reviews of WideProtect SMS Blocker by Valerii Andrusyk, rated 4.50/5 from 144 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wideprotect-sms-blocker/id1589132654/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wideprotect-sms-blocker/id1589132654.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 112 · 4★ 12 · 3★ 7 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 11 ## What do users think of WideProtect SMS Blocker? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Effective spam blocking - 👍 Filters unwanted texts - 👍 Blocks area codes - 👍 Blocks political texts - 👍 Easy to use - 👍 Flexible filtering - 👍 Reasonable cost - 👍 Great customer service - 👍 Developer is responsive - 👍 App is indispensable - 👍 Works seamlessly - 👍 Reduces spam significantly - 👍 Keeps inbox clean and secure - 👍 Makes phone enjoyable again **Cons** - 🐛 Doesn't block texts from email addresses - 🐛 New icon is disliked - 🐛 Lifetime license confusion/controversy - 🐛 Does not work for some users - 🐛 Spam texts still get through - 🐛 Issues with Apple Watch notifications - 🐛 Cannot edit or remove phrases - 🐛 App flagged legitimate messages (USAA) - 🐛 Cannot enter '+' symbol for blocking numbers - 🐛 Useless for some users - 🐛 Bait and switch concerns **Commonly reported bugs** - Texts from email addresses are not blocked - New icon is considered ugly - Lifetime license terms are unclear and have led to user dissatisfaction - App does not work for some users - Spam texts with specific keywords are not blocked - Notifications are still received on Apple Watch - Cannot edit or remove blocked phrases - App incorrectly flags legitimate messages (e.g., USAA) - Cannot enter '+' symbol when blocking numbers - App is considered useless by some users **Most requested features** - Clarification on lifetime license terms - Ability to edit or remove phrases - Improve blocking of texts from email addresses - Address Apple Watch notification issues - Improve accuracy in flagging legitimate messages ## Newest reviews (18 of 50) ### 4/5 — Glad I read this review! *2026-03-26, version 5.2* 2D UPDATE Thank you for your response. I want to make sure there is no misunderstanding, so I’m asking this as clearly as possible: If I purchase the “lifetime license” for this app, does that guarantee that I will never be required to pay any additional fees in the future to continue using the app with all updates and features? In other words, does “lifetime” truly mean a one-time payment for ongoing access to the app and its future updates, without any additional charges—regardless of how the app evolves? Additionally, can you confirm that this lifetime license will continue to apply to this app itself, and that future updates or versions will not require purchasing a separate or “new” app to maintain the same functionality? I would appreciate a simple “yes” or “no” to these questions so I can make an informed decision. Thank you. BASED ON WHAT YOUR NEXT RESPONSE IS, will dictate my final star rating ——————————————————— Update: Based on your response, perhaps you missed the point I was making. I simply copied a review that led me to question your “Lifetime license” purchase of the in-app purchase and whether at some point in the future you would require an additional amount based on what you determine are major updates… In-App Purchases Lifetime license $19.99 Full version for 1 year (1 Year) $7.99 Lifetime family license $39.99 Full family version for 1 year (1 Year) $15.99 I’m glad I came across this review before making a purchase. I was seriously considering buying the lifetime license, but after reading both the user’s experience and your response, I’ve decided not to move forward with your app at all. A “lifetime” purchase should mean exactly that. Changing that expectation later doesn’t build trust. Wishing you the best, but this approach has made it an easy decision for me to look elsewhere. Bait and switch yet again * **** Jun 28 • computer-guy1011 So my lifetime payment for WideProtect covered it and then this when it was split out. Now I got a nice message that I will have to pay the next time the app updates. Honestly iOS does a decent job of filtering calls and texts anymore unless it remains free for past purchases I probably will be dumping the products. Developer Response Jun 29 Hi there, you are right, the app was working for you for free last 4 years, despite it gains features like filtering by countries, by short numbers, white listing etc. To continue development and support we have to make it paid. I hope you will still be our customer. Thank you. ### 4/5 — Text from email get through *2025-07-02* Great app everything works except texts from email addresses. Let me rephrase. It doesn’t block senders using their email address to send sms messages. **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review! Looks like it is not SMSs, but iMessages - unfortunately right now it is not possible to filter them by technical reasons... If it SMSs - please write us email and send screenshots, we will check them. Thank you! ### 4/5 — Text from email get through *2025-06-29* Great app everything works except texts from email addresses **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review! Looks like it is not SMSs, but iMessages - unfortunately right now it is not possible to filter them by technical reasons... If it SMSs - please write us email and send screenshots, we will check them. Thank you! ### 2/5 — Bait and switch yet again *2025-06-28* So my lifetime payment for WideProtect covered it and then this when it was split out. Now I got a nice message that I will have to pay the next time the app updates. Honestly iOS does a decent job of filtering calls and texts anymore unless it remains free for past purchases I probably will be dumping the products. **Developer response:** Hi there, you are right, the app was working for you for free last 4 years, despite it gains features like filtering by countries, by short numbers, white listing etc. To continue development and support we have to make it paid. I hope you will still be our customer. Thank you! ### 2/5 — Terrible new icon. *2025-06-23, version 4.0* Why does this app think it’s so special that it needs to be the only one with an ugly new 3D icon? It’s giving iOS 1-5 and that’s very much not a good thing. Stop reaching so far to make up reasons to change things. ### 3/5 — Not all features are working *2025-06-05* In the smart blocking rules I have “block SMS from emails” checked but that doesn’t stop spam messages from emails. It does recognize and blocks other options such as messages with web links. **Developer response:** Hi there, thank you for your feedback! Please check if this message is SMS or iMessage (this info is displayed on the top of the message). If it is iMessage - it cannot be blocked, unfortunately... If it is an SMS - please send me screenshots via email (the email address listed on Help screen). Thank you in advance! ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2025-05-21, version 3.7* Blocked all the area codes spammers were using. ### 5/5 — Finally *2025-03-14* This was the best thing I’ve ever done so so simple easy to block whole area codes so flexible Thank you so much and thank you for being reasonable on the cost!!!! **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review, I am glad that the app is helping you! ### 5/5 — Works Perfectly — Just Be Sure To Enable in iOS Settings *2025-03-10* Amazing app. Just be sure to follow all instructions and enable it on the “Messages” part of your iOS settings. **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review! ### 5/5 — Best Spam Call Blocker *2025-02-06, version 3.1* I have a 321 prefix, which is Florida. There is an extremely prolific spammer in the Cocoa Beach area. I sometimes get six spam calls a day from my own area code and WideProtect blocks every single one of them. Valeri, the developer is a very helpful guy. I paid for a lifetime license and I’m extremely happy. ### 5/5 — so far *2025-01-28, version 3.1* so good ### 5/5 — Works like a charm! *2024-11-19* Came in very handy during this election cycle as I was able to block multiple political texts from sources that blatantly ignore “no contact” requests. **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review, glad that the app is helping you! ### 5/5 — Why didn’t I set this up sooner *2024-11-05* This app is a blessing from God, I can’t believe I set this up only a few days from Election Day, wish I had done this a month before. **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review, it will help other users to know about the app! ### 5/5 — Absolutely Indispensable *2024-10-23, version 3.0.1* After switching from an android phone with native spam blocking, I couldn’t believe the number of spam messages I was getting on my new iPhone. This solved the problem. You have to create the block list yourself, which can be a bit of a hassle, but what I did is just add a word or two every time a spam message doesn’t get blocked by the words I already had and delete words if a legitimate message accidentally gets blocked. After a week or two of fiddling I haven’t had a single spam message show up! I can’t believe this isn’t the number one app on the App Store! ### 5/5 — Thank You! Blocking all the political spam! *2024-10-18, version 3.0.1* Great app! I was going insane with all the political spam and now it’s 99% blocked. Amazing!!!! ### 5/5 — Wouldn’t do without it *2024-09-29* I have used this app for years, it has saved me from a crazy amount of spam and scam messages and phone calls. 100% recommend! **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review and the recommendation! ### 5/5 — Best spam blocker ever! *2024-09-21* This one and the brother app that they make or he makes also called WideProtect but for phone calls. This one is for texting from what I understand. Both are awesome. They do exactly what they’re supposed to do. I don’t get any more spam calls or text very easy to use very cheap awesome software thank you to the program programmer thank you thank you thank you. **Developer response:** Thanks a lot for your review, glad to have a happy customer! :) ### 4/5 — Works *2024-08-14, version 3.0.1* You have to configure blocking and allow settings to get results. But that effort seems worthwhile to me. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Inutile *2025-03-19* On ne peux bloquer que les sms et mms provenant d’une liste de préfixes ../ le concept est bien mais il aurait fallu que ça fonctionne pour le blocage des appels téléphoniques **Developer response:** Bonjour, je ne suis pas sûr de vous avoir compris, mais cette application permet uniquement de bloquer les SMS et MMS, par numéros de téléphone et mots-clés. Pour bloquer les appels téléphoniques, il existe une autre application : WideProtect Spam Call Blocker. Son fonctionnement est différent en raison des restrictions techniques d'iOS. Si vous avez besoin d'aide concernant les paramètres, veuillez m'envoyer un e-mail (bouton Aide sur l'écran). Merci ! Hi there, I am not sure that understand you, but this application is only for SMS and MMS blocking, by phone number patterns and keywords. To block Phone Calls there is another application - WideProtect Spam Call Blocker. It uses another conception due to iOS technical restrictions. If you need help with settings - please send me email (button on screen Help). Thank you! ### 1/5 — Doesn’t Work *2025-03-05* Does not work. Getting 10 texts a day with the wording “Stop2End” and I have explicitly put those exact characters in the Block section. Does not work. ### 1/5 — Full version *2024-05-04* Doesn’t work!!! **Developer response:** Hi there, please send me details what exactly does not work, and the app logs (button "Contact developer"), and I will help you with settings. Thank you in advance! ### 1/5 — Disappointed *2024-04-26, version 2.0* Hasn’t stopped the spam texts from area codes that I have blocked. Sad. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2024-02-07* Manually added several area codes I receive spam from but the app did nothing to block numbers with those area codes. **Developer response:** Hi there, since you have left two equal reviews for two different apps, I cannot understand what you have tried to do - block incoming calls or SMSs - but anyhow, could you send me email with details, I will help you to set up apps correctly? You can find my email on Help screen in the app. Thank you in advance! ### 1/5 — Useless *2023-02-09, version 1.3* Doesn’t work at all ### 1/5 — App won’t work in any way *2022-12-04, version 1.3* How do I get my money back? ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2022-11-04, version 1.3* Doesn’t work ### 1/5 — Not working at all *2022-09-28, version 1.3* I’m getting tons of spam. Several daily with the same SMS words I added to the block list. This app is Worthless. ### 1/5 — Did not work as advertised. Emailed got no answers *2022-04-02* I tried to block a bunch of text messages and it came from a +1 (646) number. I tried to put a + in front of the 1 but it won’t let me so I had to put 1 646 * and 1 646-* which supposed to block all numbers start with +1 646. Well text messages with that same number still get through since there is no way for me to put a + in front of the one. The number pad did have a + sign but it won’t let you enter it. I sent the author an email and it has been quite a few days. There is no answer. I bought both programs from him so I will try a different app and get my money back hopefully. I did grant the app permission in Setting. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Terrific Blocking App *2026-07-22* Everyone needs this app! After downloading and configuring settings, the app blocked SMS spam from numbers I receive several times per day. Plus, you can import blocked numbers from the companion app, Spam Call Blocker. I had questions regarding configuration and the developer responded with help right away. Highly recommend! **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your feedback, we are glad that the apps are helping you! ### 5/5 — It Really Works & I ❤️ it! *2026-05-16* I love all the filtering capabilities. I’m so grateful and happy to have this app. Thank you so much for making this! **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review, I am glad that the app is helping you! ### 5/5 — Wide Protect SMS Blocker *2026-03-07* Have had the pleasure of using this app and doing business with Valerii for a few years now and have never regretted this collaboration ever! Great customer service!!! **Developer response:** Thank you very much for the review! ### 5/5 — Finally *2026-02-23* This was the best thing I’ve ever done so so simple easy to block whole area codes so flexible Thank you so much and thank you for being reasonable on the cost!!!! **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review, I am glad that the app is helping you! ### 5/5 — Top App! *2025-10-12* Endlich mal eine App die auch funktioniert und super leicht einzustellen ist. **Developer response:** Vielen Dank für Ihre Bewertung, wir freuen uns, dass Ihnen die App hilft! ### 5/5 — My phone is enjoyable again *2025-09-25* This is the SMS filter I’ve been looking for, no more political ads, no more spam… just the texts I want to see. I’ve been using the paid version for over a year, it’s never failed me and keeps getting better with every update!!! Dev is super responsive to questions too. 10 of 10 will recommend. If someone says it’s not working, it’s because they haven’t enabled it in settings properly. **Developer response:** Thanks a lot for you review! Appreciate it and happy that the app is helping you! ### 5/5 — Amazing *2025-08-13, version 4.3* This app does exactly what it claims to do and does it perfectly. ### 5/5 — Excellent SMS Protection A Must Have *2025-07-08, version 4.2* Wife Protect SMS Blocker is a smart and efficient solution for filtering unwanted texts. It’s fast, accurate, and works seamlessly without draining battery or slowing down the phone. A great tool for anyone looking to keep their inbox clean and secure. Highly recommended! ### 5/5 — Very very effective *2025-06-30* It’s amazing how hard I get hammered with texts from political groups looking for $$$. The first few weeks I was adding filters like crazy, now after several weeks the amount that gets through is one to three a week. Nice. Being filtered to Junk messages, makes it easy to scan them (if you’re paranoid that one of them is important; you’ll get over it) since they’re all in one place and not mixed in with your regular texts. Highly recommend this app. I’m going to install it on my wife’s phone, and export the list to her. Sweet. **Developer response:** Thank you very much for your review, I am so happy that the app is helping you! ### 5/5 — Not all features are working *2025-06-09* In the smart blocking rules I have “block SMS from emails” checked but that doesn’t stop spam messages from emails. It does recognize and blocks other options such as messages with web links. Updating to 5 stars after developers response. **Developer response:** Hi there, thank you for your feedback! Please check if this message is SMS or iMessage (this info is displayed on the top of the message). If it is iMessage - it cannot be blocked, unfortunately... If it is an SMS - please send me screenshots via email (the email address listed on Help screen). Thank you in advance! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*