Are you tired of getting calls from strangers about your expired auto warranty? Or pretending to be Microsoft calling to inform you of security threats detected on your computer? With just a few quick taps, you can put an end to these annoying voices of nonsense once and for all.
This tutorial will show you how to block a phone number in Android in several different ways. We cover the most popular — Samsung, HTC, and LG — and stock Android 11 because Android isn’t visually consistent across all phone manufacturers. If you want to exact some vengeance, we also recommend a few third-party apps.
Note that the methods for blocking calls will differ slightly depending on the Android version installed on your device. There are numerous tutorials available for every Android device imaginable. If the instructions below don’t work for you, check out YouTube or the XDA Developers Forum to see if there’s a solution for your phone.
How to Block Calls on Android 11 Stock
You can easily block a call directly from the Phone app on phones like the Google Pixel 5, which runs a stock version of Android 11.
Settings in the Phone app
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: In the top right corner, tap the three-dot More Options icon.
Step 3: Select Settings from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Select Blocked Numbers (or Call Blocking) from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: To add a specific number, tap Add a Number, or tap the Toggle next to Unknown to block all numbers from unknown callers.
Call history from the Phone app
You can block incoming calls from specific numbers using the call history.
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: In the top right corner, tap the three-dot More Options icon.
Step 3: Select Call History from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Select the phone number you’d like to block.
Step 5: Select Block/Report Spam from the drop-down menu.
Step 6: A pop-up window appears with the option of reporting the phone number as spam. If it’s not spam, uncheck the box and then tap the Block button.
Contacts list from the Phone app
If you’ve saved the phone number of a persistent relative, friend, or ex, blocking them is simple.
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: Select the Contacts option.
Step 4: Select the Contact you’d like to block.
Step 5: In the top right corner, tap the three-dot More Options icon.
Step 6: Select Block Numbers from the drop-down menu.
Step 7: A pop-up window appears with the option of reporting the phone number as spam. If it’s not spam, uncheck the box and then tap the Block button.
Note: If you’d rather keep the number unblocked but don’t want to hear the call ring for hours and days without being answered, tap Route to Voicemail on the More Options menu.
The message is a messaging app that allows you to send and receive messages.
Step 1: Open the Messages app by tapping on it.
Step 2: Hold down a message for a long time.
Step 3: In the upper-right corner, tap the Block icon (a circle with a line through it).
On a Samsung phone, how do you block calls?
It’s simple to block unwanted callers on a Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus or other Samsung phone.
Settings in the Phone app
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: In the top right corner, tap the three-dot More Options icon.
Step 3: From the drop-down menu, select Settings.
Step 4: Select Block Numbers from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: To add a specific phone number, tap Add Phone Number, or block all unknown callers, tap the Toggle next to Block Unknown Callers.
Note: By tapping the Recents or Contacts buttons on this screen, you can also remove blocked numbers or add a number.
From the Recents tab in the Phone app
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: At the bottom of the screen, tap the Recents tab.
Step 3: Hold down the long-press button on the phone number you want to block.
Step 4: In the bottom right corner, tap the Block icon.
Contacts tab in the Phone app
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: At the bottom of the screen, tap the Contacts tab.
Step 3: Hold down the long-press button on the contact you want to block.
Step 4: In the top right corner, tap the three-dot More Options icon.
Step 5: Select Block Contact from the drop-down menu.
On an HTC phone, how do you block calls?
HTC, like Samsung, has call blocking built into phones like the HTC U12 Plus. Here’s how to do it with the Phone app:
Make use of the call history in the Phone app.
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: Select the Call History option.
Step 3: Hold down the long-press button on the contact or phone number you want to block.
Step 4: Select Block Contact or Block Caller from the drop-down menu.
When the Call History tab is active, tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner to see a blocked contact list. They’re in the Blocked Contacts section.
Make use of the Messages app.
Step 1: Open the Messages app by tapping on it.
Step 2: Hold down the long-press button on the Contact or Number you want to block.
Step 3: Press the Block Contact button.
On an LG phone, how do you block calls?
Blocking numbers on LG phones, including the LG G8X ThinQ dual-screen phone, is relatively simple.
Use the Call Logs tab in the Phone app.
Step 1: Open the Phone app by tapping.
Step 2: Select the Call Logs option.
Step 3: Next to the contact or number you want to block, tap the Info icon.
Step 4: Press the Block button.
Use the Dial tab in the Phone app.
Step 1: Select the Dial tab.
Step 2: In the top right corner, tap the three-dot menu icon.
Step 3: Select Call Settings from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Select Call Blocking & Decline with Messages from the Call Blocking & Decline with Messages menu.
Step 5: Select Blocked Numbers from the drop-down menu.
Step 6: Select the Add icon.
Step 7: Choose one of the following three options:
Contacts — Select the Contact you’d like to block, then tap Done.
Call Logs — Select the number you’d like to block, then tap Done.
New Number — Type in the phone number, then select Block.
Using an Android app to block calls
A third-party app may be your best bet if none of the other options appeal to you or if you simply want a more user-friendly way of blocking calls on your phone. We do recommend reading their privacy policies, though, because some of the most popular free call blocking apps collect and potentially share a lot of information, including your contacts list. Here are a few viable options.
Should I Respond?
Should I Respond? Isn’t your typical call-blocker. It can block specific phone numbers or all phone numbers that aren’t on your contact list. However, the real draw is its large database of known telemarketers, scammers, and premium-rate phone numbers. Should you answer the phone when you get a call? Shows a brief description of the incoming number and user reviews and the option to leave your rating or add the number to a private blocklist.
Should I Respond? It also has some of the most advanced call-blocking capabilities of any app in its class. Calls from hidden numbers, premium numbers, foreign countries, and numbers below a certain review threshold can all be automatically filtered. The best part is that all of the above functions are available even when the computer is turned off. A small copy of the rating database is saved locally by the app.
Read: How To Recover Archived Emails From Gmail And Get Them Back In Your Inbox
RoboKiller is a robot that kills people.
RoboKiller will automatically block a large number of spam calls and robocalls thanks to its large database of over 1.1 million spam numbers. There are even answer bots specifically designed to annoy telemarketers, or you can create your own just to be vengeful and snarky. To keep up with scammers, the blocklist is updated frequently. In your Recent Calls list, you can also check for blocked calls and even listen to why they called. RoboKiller, however, is a subscription-based service. The app requires a $3/month subscription after the seven-day free trial, which isn’t bad for a little peace of mind, and it might be worth it just for the bot feature.
Making contact with your carrier
Most major carriers can block calls. Some carriers only provide this service for a fee, so double-check with your specific carrier to fully understand their policy. Others may provide this service for free, but their terms and conditions may differ.
Verizon, for example, and Sprint both provide a free service. Verizon’s free service, on the other hand, only allows you to block up to 5 numbers. There’s another catch: each blocked number will only stay blocked for 90 days, after which you’ll have to block it again.
If you’re willing to pay an extra $5 per month, the Verizon Smart Family plan allows you to permanently block up to 20 contacts. You can also use the Call Filter feature for $3 per month, which screens incoming calls, auto-blocks spam, and reports unwanted numbers.
Anyone with AT&T can use the AT&T Call Protect app to block an unwanted number or a caller who calls frequently. If you want even more features and control over call blocking, the AT&T Call Protect Plus tool is available for an extra $4 per month. On the other hand, T-Mobile offers number blocking as part of their Family Allowances plan for about $5 per month.
Read: How To Block Text Messages On Android And iOS
More options for call blocking
You could use one of the many third-party call-blocking Android apps instead of relying on your provider to block calls. However, because not every app is trustworthy, we recommend reading the reviews and details for each one before downloading it to your phone. Because many call-blocking apps could directly interfere with antivirus programs on your device, it’s a good rule of thumb to read the fine print before downloading any new app. Furthermore, many apps can be costly, even if the price is not explicitly stated at first.
If you have already downloaded and installed Avast Mobile Security, you may be in luck when it comes to Android security apps. Users can filter specific calls and SMS messages and Block specific contacts or numbers with this security-based app. It’s likely that your Android phone already has a call-blocking feature. If not, we believe that with a little digging, you can find a compatible app that is trustworthy and reliable when it comes to blocking calls.