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How do I block a phone number on Android?

By the AndroidAnswers Editorial Team · Updated

About 4 minutes · Sound & calls

Steps written for Android 16 and 17, including Samsung One UI 8 and 9, Google Pixel, and Motorola. Menu names can vary a little by model and carrier.

Illustration of a phone showing a handset with a line through it, with a ban circle on one side and a shield on the other

Open the Phone app, open the call from that number, and choose Block or Block / report spam. The phone then declines that number's calls on its own. You can review or remove the block later under Blocked numbers in Phone settings. Menu names differ a little by brand.

Steps to check

Show steps for:

  1. Block from a recent call (fastest)

    Open the Phone app and go to Recents or Call history. Tap the call from the number you want to stop. Look for Block, Block / report spam, or a menu (three dots) with Block. Confirm when asked. After that, calls from that number are declined automatically. On Google's Phone app, blocked callers also cannot leave voicemail if visual voicemail is on.

    • Samsung Phone app → Recents → tap the number → Menu → Block → confirm. Or Phone app → three dots → Settings → Block numbers → Add.
    • Pixel Phone app → More → Call history → tap the call → Block / report spam.

  2. On Motorola, block from the profile icon or Messages

    Motorola help says you can block both calls and texts from one place. In the Phone app, tap the profile icon beside the number, then Block/report spam, then Block. In Messages, touch and hold the conversation, then Block. If you do not want to report the number as spam to Google, clear that checkbox before you confirm.

  3. Block a number that is not in Recents

    If the number is not in your recent calls, open the Phone app, tap More or the three dots, then Settings, then Blocked numbers (Samsung: Block numbers). Type the number and add it. On Samsung you can also pick from Recents, Messages, or Contacts on that same screen.

    • Samsung Phone app → three dots → Settings → Block numbers → type the number → Add (plus). Or pick Recents, Message, or Contacts.
    • Pixel Phone app → More → Settings → Blocked numbers. Add from history when you can, or block unknown numbers with the Unknown switch.

  4. Optional: block private or unknown numbers

    Private or hidden numbers can be blocked as a group. In Blocked numbers settings, turn on Unknown (Google Phone / Pixel / many Motorola phones) or Block calls from unknown numbers (Samsung). Google's help notes that this blocks private or unidentified numbers, not every number outside your contacts. Saved contacts can still call.

  5. Unblock when you change your mind

    Open the Phone app → More or three dots → Settings → Blocked numbers (Samsung: Block numbers). Find the number and tap Unblock, Clear, or the minus icon. On Motorola Messages you may also open Spam & blocked, open the conversation, and tap Not spam. Calls you missed while the number was blocked may not appear in history.

Normal vs. not

Usually normal

A spam or unwanted number that stops ringing after you block it, while your regular contacts still call normally.

Worth a closer look

Calls that still ring after you blocked the exact number, or every unknown caller blocked when you only meant to silence one person. Double-check the blocked list and any carrier spam app, then contact your carrier if it continues.

Common questions

Does blocking a number also block texts?
Often yes when you block from the Phone or Messages app on the same Google or Motorola setup. On Samsung, blocking in the Phone app and in Samsung Messages are both available, so check Messages if texts continue.
Will the other person know I blocked them?
The phone does not send a "you were blocked" message. Their calls simply do not ring through. Do not rely on blocking alone for safety if you are being harassed. Contact your carrier or local authorities if you need more help.
What if the same spam keeps calling from new numbers?
Block each number as it appears, turn on your Phone app's spam filtering or Samsung Smart Call if offered, and ask your carrier about network-level spam tools. Blocking one number cannot stop a brand-new number.

Sources we checked

Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.