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How to Block a Phone Number on Android

Use Google Phone’s call history to block a caller, or manage blocked numbers in settings. Steps for private callers, Samsung Galaxy, texts and spam filtering.
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To block a number in Google’s Phone app, open Phone, find the caller in Call history, tap the call, then choose Block / report spam. You can review or undo the block under Phone > More > Settings > Blocked numbers. Android menus differ by phone maker and carrier, so Samsung Galaxy users may see a different path.

Block a number in Google Phone

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Open More and choose Call history.
  3. Tap a call from the number you want to block.
  4. Tap Block / report spam. If prompted, choose whether to report the number as spam as well as blocking it.

Google says the phone automatically declines calls from a blocked number. If visual voicemail is enabled, blocked callers cannot leave voicemail, according to Google’s Phone app Help.

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Block private or unidentified callers

In Google Phone, go to Phone > More > Settings > Blocked numbers and turn on Unknown. Google defines this setting as blocking private or unidentified numbers. It does not block every number that is missing from your contacts: an unsaved caller whose number is visible can still get through.

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Find or unblock a number

Open Phone > More > Settings > Blocked numbers. Use the control beside a listed number to remove it from the blocked list. Google notes that calls received while a number was blocked do not appear in call history.

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Block a number on a Samsung Galaxy

Samsung documents a separate route: open Phone > More options > Settings > Block numbers. From there, add a number directly or select one from Recents or Contacts. Samsung also documents blocking a saved contact from the Contacts app. Menu availability can vary by carrier, software version and model; if these labels are different, look for the equivalent number-blocking setting. See Samsung’s Galaxy support instructions.

Block calls and texts separately

Blocking calls in the Phone app does not replace blocking a conversation in a messaging app. In Google Messages, touch and hold the conversation and tap Block. To manage blocked conversations, open the profile menu and select Spam & blocked. Unblocking a conversation moves it back to the Home screen. Google’s steps are in Block senders & report spam in Google Messages.

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Blocking versus reporting spam in Messages

Reporting a conversation as spam also blocks the sender and moves the conversation to Spam & blocked. Google says a report sends the sender’s number and recent message information to Google. Reporting is optional: if you only want to stop messages, block the conversation without reporting it.

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When to use spam filtering instead

Blocking targets a particular number or, with Google Phone’s Unknown setting, private or unidentified callers. Google Phone’s caller ID and spam protection is a separate option for suspected spam; on supported configurations, you can enable Filter spam calls in Phone settings. Google says filtered calls do not generate missed-call or voicemail notifications, but remain in call history, where you can check for voicemail. Some phones with automatic Call Screen do not show the same Filter spam calls option.

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Google says caller ID and spam protection may send call information to Google. You can turn the feature off in Phone settings. For details, see Use caller ID & spam protection.

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