How to block a number or contact on any Android device

Dave Johnson
·5 min read
two girls calling cell phone texting
The method to block a number on an Android phone varies by make and model. Edward Berthelot/Getty Images

  • To block a number on Android, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right of the Phone app and select "Block numbers."

  • You can also block a number on Android from your recent calls by locating the number in your call log and pressing down on it until a window appears with the "Block" option.

  • If the number you want to block is already on your contact list, you can select the person's name from your contact list, tap the three-dotted icon, and choose Block numbers.

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You don't need to put up with the annoyance of regularly receiving unwanted phone calls.

If you frequently get a call from the same telemarketer or another unwanted caller, you can block that call.

Once you do, any blocked number that calls you on your Android phone will be sent directly to voicemail.

While the steps to block a call can vary depending on the device brand and version of Android, in most cases you can block calls through your either phone app's settings, recent calls, or contact lists.

Here's how to do it.

How to block a number on Android using the Phone app

To block a number or contact on your Android phone, navigate to the Phone app's settings and tap the Block Numbers option.

Here's a full step-by-step breakdown:

  1. Open the Phone app.

  2. While on the Recent Calls or Contacts tab, tap the More Options menu, represented by the three vertical dots in the top-right of the app.

    Android Block 1
    Click the three vertical dots to access the More Options menu. Abbey White/Insider

  3. Choose "Settings" from the drop-down menu.

    Android Block 2
    Select Settings from the Phone app's More Option's drop-down. Abbey White/Insider

  4. Tap "Blocked numbers" in the settings list.

    Android Block 3
    Choose "Blocked numbers" from the Settings list. Abbey White/Insider

  5. Select "Add A Number."

    Android Block 4
    You can Add a Number or block all Unknown numbers. Abbey White/Insider


    Quick tip: On some Android devices and versions, you can toggle on the "Unknown" option to block all calls from unidentified callers.

  6. Manually enter the phone number you want to block calls and texts from then press "Block."

    Android Block 5
    You will need to enter the phone number you want to block. Abbey White/Insider

    Quick tip: If you can't remember the exact number you want to block, you can copy the number from your recent calls list by pressing down on the number until a menu appears, and then selecting "Copy number."

How to block a number on Android using your contact list

  1. Launch the Phone app.

  2. Navigate to the Contacts tab.

    Android Block 10
    Select the Contacts tab on your Android phone. Abbey White/Insider

  3. Scroll until you find the contact you want to block and tap their name.

    Android Block 6
    Select the contact you wish to block on your Android phone. Abbey White/Insider


    Quick tip: You can also use the Search tool at the top of the tab to more quickly locate a contact.

  4. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the app screen.

  5. Choose "Block numbers" from the drop-down menu.

    Android Block 7
    Select Block numbers from the Contact tab's More Options menu. Abbey White/Insider

  6. Confirm you wish to block the contact by selecting "Block."

    Android Block 9
    You can also report the contact as spam. Abbey White/Insider

How to block a number on Samsung Galaxy

Because Samsung phones are so common, there's a good chance that the device in your hand is a Galaxy phone.

Here's how to block a number on your Samsung Galaxy:

  1. Start the Phone app and then tap "Recents" at the bottom of the screen.

  2. Tap the phone number you want to block and then tap "i" in the expanded options under the number.

    How to block a number on Android 2
    Select the number you want to block, and tap the "i" icon. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

  3. At the bottom of the screen, tap "Block."

    How to block a number on Android 3
    Tap "Block" at the bottom of the screen. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How to block a number on other Android devices

  1. Start the Phone app view your recent calls.

  2. Tap and hold the phone number you want to block. A drop-down menu may appear with additional options.

  3. Tap "Block number" in the menu.

How to block a number on Android 4
On older versions of the Android Phone app, tap and hold the number until a dropdown menu appears. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

How to block a number using your cellular carrier

Your service carrier may offer tools to help you block calls. The advantage of using your carrier is that a blocked number will remain blocked even if you change smartphones.

The downside is that in some cases, this is an optional subscription service that may cost additional money.

If you want to investigate blocking callers at the carrier, here are links to the major carriers' call blocking plans:

How to unblock a blocked number on an Android phoneHow to block unwanted text messages from the same number on any Android phoneHow to block a number on your landline phone and reduce the amount of spam calls you receiveHow to block your Caller ID to make anonymous calls on any device

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