Block a number using your Phone app

The fastest way to block a number on Android is through your Phone app — the one you use to make calls. When you see a call from a number you want to block, open the Phone app, find the number in your recent calls list, press and hold it, and tap Block number. The exact wording varies slightly by phone brand, but the option appears in a menu that slides up from the bottom of your screen.

If you do not have a recent call from that number, you can still block it. Open your Phone app, tap the three-line menu icon (usually in the top left or top right corner), find Settings or Blocked numbers, and look for an option to add a number manually. Type in the full number you want to block, including the area code, and confirm. From that point forward, calls and text messages from that number will not reach you.

Blocked numbers will not hear a ring on their end — the call simply fails to go through. They may receive a message saying the number is not in service, or the call may drop after a few seconds. Text messages from blocked numbers arrive on their phone but do not show up in your messages.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block a number directly from a recent call by pressing and holding it in your Phone app and selecting the block option.
  • To block a number you have not received a call from, go to your Phone app settings and add it to your blocked list manually.
  • Blocked callers will not reach you by phone or text, and they will not receive a notification that they have been blocked.
  • Different Android phones (Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus, etc.) use slightly different menu names, but all have a block feature built into the Phone app.
  • You can unblock a number at any time by going back to your blocked numbers list and removing it.

Block a number from a text message

If you receive a text message from someone you want to block, you do not have to open your Phone app. Open your Messages app, find the conversation with that number, press and hold the message thread, and look for a Block or Block number option. This blocks both calls and texts from that sender.

On some Android phones, you may need to tap the three-dot menu icon at the top of the conversation instead. The option is usually labeled Block contact or Block this number. Once you confirm, that number is added to your system-wide blocked list and cannot reach you through any app.

Block a contact by name

If the number is saved in your Contacts app with a name, you can block it from there. Open Contacts, find the person you want to block, tap the three-dot menu icon, and select Block contact or Block number. This is useful when you have saved a number under a name but want to prevent them from calling or texting you.

Blocking a contact this way removes their ability to reach you, but it does not delete their contact information. Their name and number stay in your Contacts app — you simply will not receive calls or messages from them. If you later want to unblock them, you can go back to their contact card and select Unblock.

Check your blocked numbers list

To see all the numbers you have blocked, open your Phone app and tap the three-line menu. Look for Settings, Call settings, or Blocked numbers — the exact name depends on your phone brand. You will see a list of every number you have blocked, along with the date you blocked it.

From this list, you can unblock any number by tapping it and selecting Unblock. You can also add new numbers to block without waiting for a call or message. This list is stored on your phone itself, not in the cloud, so if you get a new Android phone, your blocked numbers will not transfer automatically unless you back them up through your Google account.

Differences between Android phone brands

Samsung phones, Google Pixel phones, OnePlus devices, and other Android brands all have built-in call blocking, but the menu names and locations vary slightly. On a Samsung Galaxy, the option is usually called Block contact and lives in the Phone app settings. On a Google Pixel, it is Blocked numbers in the Phone app menu. On OnePlus, it appears as Block when you press and hold a recent call.

Despite these small differences, the process is the same: open your Phone app, find the number or contact, and select the block option. If you cannot find the block feature in your Phone app, check your Messages app or Contacts app — one of these three apps always has it. You can also search your phone's Settings for the word "block" to jump directly to the right menu.

What happens when you block a number

When you block a number on Android, that person cannot call you, and you will not see their calls in your recent calls list. Text messages from that number will not appear in your Messages app. If they try to call, they will hear silence or a message saying the number is not available — they will not hear a busy signal or know for certain that they have been blocked.

Blocked numbers can still leave voicemails, but those voicemails will not show up in your voicemail inbox. Some Android phones let you choose whether to send blocked calls to voicemail or reject them entirely — check your Phone app settings to see if this option is available on your device. You can also block a number but still receive their voicemails if you want to monitor what they are saying without being interrupted by their calls.

Unblock a number if you change your mind

If you blocked a number by mistake or want to hear from that person again, you can unblock them. Open your Phone app, go to Settings or Blocked numbers, find the number in your blocked list, and tap Unblock. Once you unblock them, they can call and text you normally again, and their messages will appear in your inbox as if they had never been blocked.

Unblocking does not notify the other person — they will not receive a message saying you have unblocked them. They will simply be able to reach you again the next time they try to call or text. If you want to tell them you have unblocked them, you will need to contact them separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked number tell they have been blocked?

Not for certain. When they call, they will hear silence, a message saying the number is not available, or the call will drop after a few seconds. They will not receive a notification saying they have been blocked, but they may suspect it if their calls consistently fail to go through.

Will blocked numbers still reach my voicemail?

Yes, blocked numbers can still leave voicemails on most Android phones, but those voicemails will not appear in your main voicemail inbox. Some phones let you create a separate folder for blocked voicemails, or you can turn off voicemail for blocked numbers entirely in your Phone app settings.

Do I need to block a number on both my Phone app and Messages app?

No. When you block a number in your Phone app, it blocks them across your entire phone — calls, texts, and everything else. You do not need to block them separately in Messages or Contacts. Blocking in one place blocks them everywhere.

What if I block a number but they keep contacting me from different numbers?

Block each new number as it appears using the same process. If the harassment continues, consider reporting it to your phone carrier or local police. Some carriers offer additional spam and harassment tools beyond basic call blocking.

Will my blocked numbers transfer to a new Android phone?

Not automatically. Your blocked numbers list is stored on your current phone. If you set up a new Android phone and sign in with the same Google account, some phones will restore your blocked list, but this is not may provide. To be safe, take a screenshot of your blocked numbers list before switching phones.