How To Block Number On Android

To block a number on Android, open the Phone app, go to the Recents tab, and long-press the number you want to block, then tap "Block/report spam." This is the fastest way to stop unwanted calls and texts from a specific number using the built-in settings on your device.

How to block a number on Android from the Phone app

Block from Recents or call history

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the "Recents" or "Call history" tab.
3. Long-press the number you want to block.
4. Tap "Block/report spam" or "Block." You may see an option to "Report call as spam."

Block from Contacts

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to the "Contacts" tab.
3. Find and tap the contact you want to block.
4. Select "Block numbers" or "Block contact."

Manually add a number in Settings

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (More options) in the top-right corner.
3. Select "Settings," then "Blocked numbers."
4. Tap "Add a number," enter the phone number, and tap "Block" or "Add."

Third-party call-blocking apps exist and can offer more advanced blocking options, such as blocking numbers based on specific criteria, creating a black or white list, and blocking unknown or private numbers. Examples include Truecaller, Hiya, Mr. Number, Call Control, and Should I Answer?

How to block a number on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel

Steps for blocking a number can vary slightly depending on the Android device manufacturer. Here are verified steps for the two most common Android brands.

Samsung Galaxy

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu icon at the top-right corner.
3. Select "Settings," then "Block numbers."
4. Enter the phone number you want to block or choose it from your call log or contacts.
5. Tap the "+" icon or "Add" button to add the number to your block list.

Google Pixel

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Select "Settings," then "Spam and Call Screen."
3. Tap "Call Blocking."
4. Tap the "Block" button to add the number to your block list.

OnePlus

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select "Block," then "Add phone number."
4. Enter the number and tap the '+' icon.

LG

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Select "Call settings," then "Call blocking & decline with message."
4. Tap "Block numbers," enter the number, and tap "Add."

How to block text messages on Android

Block from the conversation

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Open the conversation with the number you want to block.
3. Tap the "More" icon (three dots) or the contact name/number at the top.
4. Select "Block number" or "Block & report spam."

Block from the message list

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Long-press the message thread from the home screen.
3. Tap the "Block" icon or the three-dot menu and select "Block."

Google Messages also includes a "Spam protection" feature that uses machine learning to detect and automatically block spam messages. You can toggle this on in Messages settings under "Spam protection."

How to block unknown and private callers

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu, go to "Settings," then "Blocked numbers."
3. Toggle on the "Unknown" or "Block calls from unknown numbers" setting.

This typically blocks calls that show up as private, restricted, or unidentified, but not necessarily all numbers not in your contacts.

What happens when you block a number

When a number is blocked, calls from that number will typically go straight to voicemail, and text messages will go undelivered or be moved to a spam folder. The sender is not notified when their number has been blocked. While most modern Android phones have robust built-in blocking features, the Android 7.0 release introduced a system-level BlockedNumberProvider that stores blocked numbers, ensuring they remain blocked across different dialing and messaging apps and can be restored on new devices.

How to unblock a number on Android

Unblock from the Phone app

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Find the number you want to unblock and tap the "X" (remove) or minus icon next to it, then confirm "Unblock."

Alternatively, open the Phone app, go to "Recents," find the blocked number (often marked with a block icon), tap it, and select "Unblock."

Unblock from the Messages app

1. Open the Google Messages app.
2. Tap your profile picture or the menu button, go to "Spam & blocked."
3. Locate the blocked conversation or number and tap "Unblock."

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a blocked number know they are blocked?

No. The sender is never notified when their number has been blocked. Calls go straight to voicemail and texts are not delivered, but the blocked party receives no indication of the block.

Can I block a number that is not in my contacts?

Yes. You can block any number by long-pressing it in the Recents tab, manually adding it in the Blocked numbers settings, or blocking it from a text message conversation.

Do blocked calls still ring on my phone?

No.

Will blocking a number also block FaceTime or other video calls?

Blocking a number through the Phone app primarily affects standard phone calls and text messages. Video calling apps may need to be blocked separately within each app's settings.

Can I block a number on Android without opening the Phone app?

Yes. You can block a number directly from the Messages app by opening the conversation and selecting "Block number," or by long-pressing a message thread and tapping the block icon.

Can I block text messages from a specific number?

Yes. Open the Messages app, open the conversation with that number, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block number" or "Block & report spam." You can also long-press the message thread from the main list and tap the block icon.

Do all Android devices have the same method for blocking numbers?

No. While the general process is similar, steps can vary by manufacturer. For example, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, OnePlus, and LG devices each have slightly different menu paths to access the block list, as detailed in the sections above.

For the wider topic, see blocking calls and numbers.