How to block a number on Android

How to block a number on Android

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:

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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.

Swiping up from the Home screen opens All Apps
Swiping up from the Home screen opens All Apps

On the All Apps screen, find the Contacts app and open it by tapping on it.

Tap on Contacts
Tap on Contacts

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.

Tap on a contact to access more settings for it
Tap on a contact to access more settings for 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.

Tap on the button to see More options
Tap on the button to see More options

On the More options menu, tap on Block numbers or Block contact.

Tap on Block numbers
Tap on Block numbers

On the next screen, you also get the option to report the number by checking the "Report as spam" box.

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Confirm your choice by tapping Block.

Tap Block to finish the process
Tap Block to finish the process

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.

You can see the contact is blocked in its details
You can see the contact is blocked in its details

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.

Tap on the Phone app
Tap on the Phone app

The Phone app opens. If you recently received a call from the number you want to block, access the Recents tab.

Tap on the Recents tab
Tap on 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."

Tap on Block/report spam
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.

Confirm by tapping Block
Confirm by tapping Block

You can now see the Blocked message and symbol next to the contact in the Recents tab.

The number is blocked
The number is blocked

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.

Tap the button for more options
Tap the button for more options

From the menu that opens, tap on Settings.

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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.

Access the app's Settings
Access the app's Settings

On the Settings screen, tap Blocked numbers.

Open Blocked numbers
Open Blocked numbers

On the Blocked numbers screen, tap "Add a number."

Tap on Add a number
Tap on 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.

Type in the number to block
Type in the number to 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.

The number is added to the list, and the person can no longer contact you
The number is added to the list, and the person can no longer contact you

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.

Open Messages
Open Messages

On the next screen, find the contact whose number you want to block and press-and-hold on it.

Press-and-hold on the annoying contact
Press-and-hold on the annoying contact

Notice that the contact is selected. Tap on the Block button from the upper-right corner.

Tap the Block button
Tap the Block button

Check the box if you also want to Report [the number as] spam, and then confirm your choice by tapping OK.

Confirm your decision
Confirm your decision

A message at the bottom of the screen lets you know that the number is blocked. The conversation with that contact is also archived.

The number is blocked
The number is blocked

You can also access the Blocked numbers screen from the Messages app by tapping on the More options button in the upper-right corner.

Tap on More options
Tap on More options

Then, in the menu that's shown, tap on Blocked contacts.

Access Blocked numbers
Access Blocked numbers

This opens the Blocked numbers screen. Tap on "Add a number."

Tap on Add a number
Tap on Add a number

Insert the number of the person you want to stop from contacting you and press Block.

Type in the number to block
Type in the number to block

The number is added to the Blocked numbers list. You get a confirmation at the bottom of the screen.

The contact can no longer bother you
The contact can no longer bother you

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.

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