Block a number using the Phone app
The fastest way to block a number on Samsung is through your Phone app. Open the Phone app, go to the Recents tab (the clock icon), and find the number you want to block. Press and hold the number until a menu appears, then tap Block number. The number is blocked when ready.
If you want to block a number that hasn't called you yet, open the Phone app and tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner. Select Settings, then Block numbers, and tap the plus sign to add a number manually. Type in the number you want to block and confirm.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a number in seconds by holding it in your Recents tab and selecting Block number from the menu.
- Blocked numbers cannot call or text you, and their calls go straight to voicemail without ringing your phone.
- You can view and unblock numbers anytime in Phone Settings under Block numbers.
- If you block a contact instead of just a number, all their phone numbers are blocked at once.
- Samsung's native blocking works across calls and texts, so you do not need a separate app for most situations.
Block a contact instead of a single number
If someone has multiple numbers and you want to block all of them at once, block the contact itself instead of individual numbers. Open your Contacts app, find the person's name, and tap it to open their full contact card. Tap the three-dot menu at the top right and select Block contact. Every number stored under that contact is now blocked.
This method saves time if you are dealing with someone who calls from different phone numbers. You will not see calls, texts, or notifications from any of their numbers.
Block numbers from text messages
You can block a number directly from a text message without opening the Phone app. Open the Messages app, find the conversation you want to block, and press and hold the message thread. A menu will appear with several options. Tap Block number or Block contact depending on what you see. The number is blocked when ready, and you will not receive further texts from it.
If you want to block the number but keep the message thread visible, some Samsung phones let you mute notifications instead. Press and hold the conversation, tap Notifications, and turn them off. The messages still arrive, but your phone will not alert you.
View and manage your blocked numbers list
You can see all the numbers you have blocked and unblock any of them at any time. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and go to Settings. Select Block numbers to see your full list. Each number appears with the date you blocked it.
To unblock a number, find it in the list and tap the minus sign or swipe left on the entry (depending on your Samsung model). Confirm the action, and the number is unblocked. That person can now call and text you again, and their calls will ring your phone normally.
What happens when you block a number
When you block a number on Samsung, the person cannot reach you through the Phone app. Their calls go directly to voicemail without your phone ringing or showing a notification. Text messages from blocked numbers do not appear in your Messages app at all — they are silently rejected.
The blocked person does not receive a message saying they are blocked. Their calls straightforward go to voicemail as if your phone is off or you are not answering. They may notice over time that you never pick up, but Samsung does not send them an alert.
Blocking only affects the Phone and Messages apps. If someone contacts you through email, social media, or another app, that message still comes through. If you need to block someone completely, you may need to adjust settings in those apps separately.
Unblock a number if you change your mind
If you blocked a number by mistake or want to unblock someone, the process takes about 10 seconds. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and go to Settings. Select Block numbers, find the number in the list, and tap the minus sign next to it. Confirm the action. The number is now unblocked and can call or text you again.
Once you unblock a number, that person's calls and texts will come through normally again. You will see their calls on your screen and receive notifications for their messages. There is no limit to how many times you can block and unblock the same number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked number see that I blocked them?
No. When someone calls a blocked number, their call goes to voicemail without any indication that they are blocked. They may suspect it over time if you never answer, but Samsung does not send them a notification or message saying you blocked them.
Will blocked numbers still see my status or profile picture?
That depends on the app. In the Phone and Messages apps, blocked numbers cannot see your activity. However, if you use other messaging apps like WhatsApp or social media, you may need to adjust privacy settings in those apps separately to hide your status from blocked contacts.
Can I block a number without saving it as a contact?
Yes. You can block any number directly from your Recents tab or by typing it manually into your blocked numbers list, even if it is not saved in your Contacts. Open Phone Settings, go to Block numbers, tap the plus sign, and type the number you want to block.
What if I block a number and they text me from a different number?
Blocking only affects the specific number you blocked. If someone texts you from a different phone number, that message will come through normally. If you want to block all their numbers at once, save them as a contact first, then block the contact instead of individual numbers.
Do blocked numbers still leave voicemails?
Yes. Blocked calls go to voicemail, and the person can leave a message. However, you will not receive a notification about the voicemail. If you want to hear it, you can check your voicemail manually in the Phone app, but most people do not check messages from blocked numbers.