Whether it's phone calls or messages, we all get unwanted attention sometimes, so knowing how to block a number on Android comes in handy. Are you sick of robocalls? Is your less-than-stable ex spamming you? It's easy to stop them from contacting you on your Android smartphone. This tutorial illustrates how to block a number on Android and stop those annoying calls or text messages once and for all:
NOTE: For this tutorial, we used an ASUS ZenFone Max Pro device running Android 9 Pie. The procedures are similar on all Android-powered devices, so you should be good to go even if you have a smartphone from Samsung, Huawei, OnePlus, or some other manufacturer. If you do not know your Android version, read How to check the Android version on your smartphone or tablet.
How to block calls and texts from the Contacts app on your Android smartphone
By default, your Android smartphone offers several ways to stop a number from calling and messaging you. If the number you want to block is saved on your smartphone, the easiest way to do this is from the Contacts app. First, open the All Apps screen by swiping up on the Home screen or by pressing the All apps button - available on most Android smartphones.
On the All Apps screen, find the Contacts app and open it by tapping on it.
On the next screen, you get to see your contacts list. Find the contact whose calls and messages you want to block and tap on it.
You can now see more details for the selected contact. Tap on the More options button from the upper-right corner. It looks like three vertical dots.
On the More options menu, tap on Block numbers or Block contact.
On the next screen, you also get the option to report the number by checking the "Report as spam" box.
Confirm your choice by tapping Block.
The phone number (or numbers) associated with that contact are blocked, and you should no longer receive any calls or messages from that person on your Android smartphone. This is also indicated by a symbol and the Blocked message displayed next to the number.
TIP: You can also access your contacts from the Contacts tab in the Phone app, and then follow the same steps to block numbers. Keep reading for info on opening the Phone app on your Android smartphone.
How to block calls and texts from the Phone app on your Android smartphone
There are two ways to block a number from the Phone app. To begin, access the app by tapping on its icon either from the Home screen or the All Apps screen.
The Phone app opens. If you recently received a call from the number you want to block, access the Recents tab.
In your call log, press-and-hold on the contact you want to stop from calling or messaging you. From its contextual menu, tap on "Block/report spam."
Check the box if you also want to report the number as spam, and then tap on Block to confirm.
You can now see the Blocked message and symbol next to the contact in the Recents tab.
If you know the number you want to block, in the Phone app, tap the button that looks like three vertical dots from the upper-right corner of the screen.
From the menu that opens, tap on Settings.
TIP: You can also access Call History from this menu, press-and-hold on a contact, and then follow the steps above. However, this only applies if you recently received a call from that contact.
On the Settings screen, tap Blocked numbers.
On the Blocked numbers screen, tap "Add a number."
On the next screen, type in the number of the contact you want to stop from calling or messaging you. Then press Block.
You can see the number added on the Blocked numbers list. A confirmation that the number is blocked also appears at the bottom of the screen.
You can also access and edit the Blocked numbers list from the Messages app, as seen below.
How to block calls and texts from the Messages app on your Android smartphone
The Messages app also offers two ways to block numbers and prevent them from calling or messaging you. To access the app, tap on its icon either from the Home screen or from the All Apps screen.
On the next screen, find the contact whose number you want to block and press-and-hold on it.
Notice that the contact is selected. Tap on the Block button from the upper-right corner.
Check the box if you also want to Report [the number as] spam, and then confirm your choice by tapping OK.
A message at the bottom of the screen lets you know that the number is blocked. The conversation with that contact is also archived.
You can also access the Blocked numbers screen from the Messages app by tapping on the More options button in the upper-right corner.
Then, in the menu that's shown, tap on Blocked contacts.
This opens the Blocked numbers screen. Tap on "Add a number."
Insert the number of the person you want to stop from contacting you and press Block.
The number is added to the Blocked numbers list. You get a confirmation at the bottom of the screen.
Whom are you trying to block?
Being constantly bothered by someone can be a real nuisance, so it's great to know how to block a number on Android. What about you? Is someone bothering you? Are you trying to ghost them? Let us know your story in the comments below.