How to block a contact on Android
You can block a contact on Android through the Phone app, Messages app, or your contacts list — the method depends on which app you want to block them in. Most Android phones let you block calls and texts separately, so you can silence calls from someone while still receiving their messages, or vice versa. Once blocked, that person cannot call or text you, and their calls go straight to voicemail without ringing your phone.
The steps differ slightly between Samsung, Google Pixel, and other Android brands, but the core process is the same: open the app where you want to block them, find their name or number, and select the block option from the menu.
Key Takeaways
- You can block contacts through the Phone app, Messages app, or Contacts app depending on which type of communication you want to stop.
- Blocked callers will not see a "blocked" message — their calls simply go to voicemail without your phone ringing.
- You can unblock a contact at any time by finding them in your blocked list and selecting unblock.
- Blocking someone in one app (like Messages) does not automatically block them in another app (like Phone), so you may need to block them in multiple places.
- Some Android phones let you block unknown numbers or spam calls automatically through settings in the Phone app.
Block a contact through the Phone app
Open the Phone app on your Android device. Find the contact you want to block — you can search for them by name or scroll through your recent calls. Tap and hold their name or number until a menu appears, then select Block number or Block contact. On some phones like Samsung, you may see Block as the option instead.
Once you confirm, that contact's calls will no longer ring through to your phone. They will hear a message saying the call cannot be completed, or their call will go directly to your voicemail. You will not receive any notification that they tried to call.
Block a contact through the Messages app
Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap and hold the conversation thread until options appear at the top of the screen. Look for Block or Block number and tap it. Some Android phones show this option in a menu you access by tapping the three dots in the top right corner of the conversation.
Blocking someone in Messages stops them from sending you text messages and prevents their messages from appearing in your inbox. They will not know they are blocked — their messages will appear to send normally on their end, but you will not receive them.
Block a contact through your Contacts app
Open your Contacts app and search for the person you want to block. Tap their name to open their contact card. Tap the three dots or menu icon in the top right corner, then select Block contact or Block number. This method often blocks the contact across both calls and messages at once, depending on your phone's software.
After you block them this way, you may see a confirmation message saying the contact is blocked. Some Android phones will also give you the option to delete their contact information at the same time.
Block unknown numbers and spam calls
If you want to block calls from numbers not in your contacts, open the Phone app and go to Settings (usually accessed through the three dots menu). Look for Block numbers, Spam protection, or Call screening. Tap the toggle to turn on blocking for unknown numbers or spam calls. On Google Pixel phones, this feature is called Call Screen and filters suspected spam automatically.
When this setting is on, calls from numbers you have not saved will either be blocked entirely or screened before they reach you. You can usually review blocked calls in a separate log within the Phone app settings.
Unblock a contact
To unblock someone, open the Phone app or Messages app and look for a Blocked contacts or Blocked numbers section — this is usually in the app's settings or accessible through a menu. Find the person you want to unblock and tap Unblock. They will then be able to call and text you normally again.
If you blocked them through your Contacts app, open that app, find their name, and select Unblock contact from the menu. The process is the same in reverse.
What happens when you block someone
When you block a contact, they cannot reach you through calls or texts in the app where you blocked them. Their calls will not ring your phone — instead, they hear a message or the call goes to voicemail. Text messages from a blocked contact will not appear in your Messages app, though they may still be stored on their phone as if they were sent successfully.
The blocked person does not receive a notification saying they are blocked. From their perspective, the call or message simply did not go through. They may assume your phone is off, you are busy, or there is a network issue. You will not see any indication in your phone that they tried to contact you unless you check your blocked contacts list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
No. When you block someone, they do not receive a notification. Their calls go to voicemail and their messages appear to send normally on their end, so they will not know for certain that you blocked them — though they may suspect it if you stop responding.
If I block someone in Messages, are they also blocked in the Phone app?
No. Blocking in Messages only stops text messages. If you want to block their calls too, you must block them separately in the Phone app or through your Contacts app. Some phones let you block across both at once if you use the Contacts app method.
Can I block a number that is not in my contacts?
Yes. In the Phone app, you can tap and hold a number from your call history and select block, even if that number is not saved as a contact. You can also block unknown numbers automatically through the Phone app's spam or call screening settings.
What if I accidentally block someone?
You can unblock them at any time. Go to the Phone or Messages app settings, find your blocked contacts list, and select unblock next to their name. They will then be able to call and text you again.
Do blocked messages get deleted?
No. Messages from blocked contacts are hidden from your inbox, but they are usually stored somewhere on your phone. If you unblock the person later, you may be able to see those messages again, depending on your phone's software.