Smartphones have made our lives a lot easier in the last few decades. People sitting at home can easily call, text, video chat with a long-distance family member, friends, relatives. But as technology is advancing the way of doing business is also changing.
Companies, telemarketers, Sales executives are constantly calling and texting their customers to advertise a product and sell their services. Even scammers from fake firms are also trying to convince the mobile user to share his bank details and other information which is done just to steal your money.
In this guide, you will learn everything about how to block a number on android and what happens if you block a number or text message?
If you’re a busy person then, you must have been irritated by this type of fake and unwanted calls and messages. The only way to get rid of these calls and text messages is to block them.
Table of Contents
How to Block a Number on Android?
Blocking a phone number on android is not a big deal. All android phones are coming with call and text blocking features. Methods of blocking calls and phone numbers is depending on the phone model and based on the version of Android running on your device. But majority of phone blocking features are the same.
Users can block a phone number from Phone app settings, Call history, Contact list. Even some Wireless carriers have an option to permanently block calls but it comes with a cost.
Block a number from Phone app’s settings
All Smartphones have a Phone app which is a record book of your phone numbers. If you have lots of numbers to block then, you can use this feature.
1. First Open your Phone app and tap on Three dots in upper right corner and select Settings.
2. Then, tap on Blocked numbers.
3. Now, you can Add a number to block it and you can also see which number you blocked.
Block a number from Phone app’s call history
If you want to block a number from recent calls you received then, you can use the phone app call history feature.
1. Open your Phone app and tap on Three dots in upper right corner and select Call history.
2. Now, you have a list of all calls you received or missed.
3. Long press on that number you want to block and select Block/report junk.
4. If you also want to report the number then select the checkbox “Report call as spam” and tap on Block to block the number.
Block a number from Phone app’s contacts list
Sometimes some of our annoying friends bother us a lot by calling us for no reason and wasting our time. For this, you can use the phone app contact list feature to block a number you know.
1. Go to your Phone app and Search the name or number of the one you want to block.
2. Open the Contact info. and tap on Three dots in upper right corner and select Block numbers.
3. After that, uncheck the box “Report as spam” and tap on Block to block the number.
Block a number with Caller ID & Spam protection
Google phone app caller ID & spam protection feature can get rid of many unwanted and spam calls. In this feature, Google will attempt to show you useful information when you receive a call. Such as caller ID name which is not in your contact list along with logo and verified symbol. This indicates the call is verified by Google and warns you when an incoming call is suspected to be spam.
1. To enable this feature, go to your Phone app > Settings and select Caller ID & spam.
2. Now, Enable the button of See caller and spam ID, Filter spam calls, Verified calls.
Blocking a number via the Cellular carrier
All of the above methods are work perfectly until you change or buy a new phone. Changing the phone means whatever number you have blocked in your previous phone will have access to you again. So, if you want to permanently block a number from accessing you. Then, you can contact your carrier service provider to block or report a number.
If you live in the US then, some major US carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon provide apps and services to block a number permanently with terms and conditions. They also charge some service fees for Plus and Premium versions.
How to Block Text messages on Android?
The way it is easy to block a mobile number is even easier to block text messages on android.
Many advertisers, telemarketers, sale executive, and many other companies are trying to convince their users through text messages to buy a plan or service from them. Sometimes this type of message comes so many and the whole text message inbox is filled with spam messages which are very irritating.
If you’re curious how to block someone from texting you, then just follow the following steps:
1. Open your Message app and long press on text message the one you want to block and tap on Three dots. Then, tap on Block.
2. If you have so many text messages to block then tap on Three dots on message app and select Spam & block.
3. Then, again tap on Three dots in upper right corner and select Blocked contacts.
4. Now, you can Add phone numbers to block them from texting or calling you.
All the above methods are applied for all android smartphones whether it is a Samsung, LG, OnePlus, Oppo/Realme, Google Pixel, or any other Stock android phone.
Quick note: Blocking a number in your Phone app or contact list also blocks the messages. So, if you block a number in Phone app. Then, you don’t need to block text messages on the messaging app from that number again.
Blocking Calls & Messages with Third-party Android app
You can easily block a number on android with built-in phone and message app features. But if you want a separate app for this kind of work. Then, you can download and install any good third-party call blocker app from the play store like Call Blacklist.
Call Blacklist
Call Blacklist is both a call blocker and an SMS blocker app. This app is specially designed to manage block calls and text messages with built-in SMS messenger. You can also save all blacklist numbers to a file and import them on another device.
What Happens When You Block A Number on Android?
When you block a number, you can neither receive calls nor receive any SMS or Text Messages from that number. Google never shows any notification from a blocked number no matter how hard he tries to call and text you. The blocked number of calls are automatically directed to voicemail and any messages also do not reach you.
A blocked number person can receive your calls or text messages only when you try to call or text to that number otherwise, he can’t call or text you.
When You Block Someone’s number will They Know?
When you block someone’s number on an Android phone. They will never know whether you have blocked the number or not. Google Android respects your privacy and never tells the blocked person that you have blocked his number. Whenever a blocked person tries to call you the call is directed to voicemail or a robotic voice trying to tell that the number is switched off or out of coverage area.
The only scenario is when the blocked person knows that he is blocked. When he tries to text or call you again and again and every time his calls get directed to voicemail or get an unusual message which tells the number is switched off.
How to Know if Someone Blocked Your Number on Android?
As I mentioned above, the blocked person never knows that he is blocked. But there are a few ways that you can tell if someone blocked your number.
The best way to know that your number is blocked is to ask that person directly. But if you want to know without asking him/her. Then, here are some hints to help you determine if you’re blocked or not.
Hint #1: The calls go through by other phone numbers
One of the best ways to know whether your number is blocked or not. You can call the person who blocked your number from another mobile number and if the call is received, it means that he has blocked your number.
Hint #2: You get unusual messages from that number
If someone blocks your number and you try to call that person, you get unusual automated messages every time.
1. “The person you trying to call is currently busy.”
2. “The person you trying to call is out of coverage.”
3. “The person you trying to call is switched off.”
Quick Note: In some scenarios such as Natural disasters, Travelling overseas can block your calls because of poor network coverage.
Hint #3: Your calls are directed to voicemail
Whenever you try to call the person to that number, your call is directed to voicemail every time after one or no rings.
Quick Note: When a person Turn On “Do Not Disturb” service on his phone. Then, your call will automatically be directed to voicemail or you get unusual messages like “Phone is switched off.”
Hint #4: Hide your Caller ID
You can hide your Caller ID so that your number is hidden on outgoing calls. After that, make a call to that person who blocked your number. If the calls go through, then it means the person has blocked your number.
1. Tap Phone > Three-dot menu > Settings > Calling accounts.
2. Then select SIM > Additional settings.
3. Then, tap on Caller ID.
4. Then, tap on Hide number.
Quick Note: Google updated many features in the Phone app so maybe you can’t use this feature as before. If your caller ID uses default operator settings to display your number then this feature may be unavailable for you.
When You Block A Number on Android — Frequently Asked Questions
Can a person leave Voicemail from the blocked number on Android?
If a blocked person tries to leave a voicemail. Then, he can do that but the receiver will not know if you’re called him or not. Unless he checks his voice mails.
Can you see blocked messages and calls on Android?
You can view blocked calls and text messages with the help of Dr.Web Security Space but you need to purchase a license to activate the app. You can go to Call filter to select between Blocked calls or Blocked SMS.
Is a number still blocked if I delete it from android?
If you have blocked a number and later deleted it. Then, that number will remain blocked on your phone because it was deleted from your phone, not from your block list.
Can you call or send text message if someone blocked your number?
You can call or send text messages to someone who blocked your number. But problem is that the person never received your call or text messages because your calls and SMS will never reach him. Your call is automatically directed to Voicemail every time or you get an unusual message.
Is it possible to unblock a number?
If you want to unblock a number, then you can unblock it in the same way as you blocked it. you can go to Phone app > Tap on three dots > Settings > Blocked number > Tap on Cross button on right side of a block number from the list to unblock it.
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Conclusion
Blocking a number could be done in several different ways on Android. With this feature, you can easily block any unwanted or spam calls and messages. This guide will give you answers to all kinds of questions like what happens when you block a number on android, how to block a number on android, how to Know if Someone Blocked Your Number on Android? etc.