Block a number using the Phone app
The fastest way to block a number on a Samsung Galaxy is through the Phone app. Open Phone, find the number or contact you want to block in your call history or contacts, press and hold it, then tap Block number. The option appears in a menu that slides up from the bottom of the screen. Once blocked, that number cannot call or text you, and their messages go to spam.
If you want to block a number that has not called you yet, open Contacts, tap the plus sign to create a new contact, enter the number, then save it. Go back to that contact, press and hold it, and select Block number. This prevents the number from reaching you even if you have never interacted with it before.
Blocked numbers can still leave voicemails, but you will not receive notifications. Their calls will not ring your phone or show on your call log. Text messages from blocked numbers go directly to your spam folder.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a number in seconds by opening Phone, finding the contact or number, pressing and holding it, and tapping Block number.
- Blocked callers cannot reach you by phone or text, and their messages move to spam automatically.
- You can unblock a number at any time by going to Settings, Apps, Phone, Permissions, and removing it from your block list.
- Samsung Galaxy phones let you block numbers without installing extra apps or changing your phone number.
Block a number from a text message
If someone texts you and you want to block them, open the Messages app and find the conversation. Press and hold the message thread, then tap Block from the menu that appears. This blocks the number from both calling and texting you in one action.
You can also open the conversation, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select Block number or Block contact. Both routes lead to the same result — the number is added to your block list when ready.
Manage your block list in Settings
To see all the numbers you have blocked, go to Settings, then Apps, then Phone. Tap Permissions, then Block numbers. This screen shows every number on your block list. You can remove a number from the list by tapping it and selecting Unblock.
The same process works for the Messages app. Go to Settings, Apps, Messages, Permissions, then Block numbers. Any number you have blocked through text messages appears here. Unblocking a number from one app does not automatically unblock it in the other, so check both if you want to fully restore contact with someone.
Some Samsung Galaxy models also let you access your block list directly from the Phone app. Open Phone, tap the three dots in the top right, select Settings, then Block numbers. The exact path varies slightly between Android versions, but the block list is always in Settings under the Phone app.
Block unknown or spam numbers automatically
Samsung Galaxy phones have a built-in spam filter that can block unknown callers automatically. Open the Phone app, tap the three dots, go to Settings, then turn on Reject unknown calls or Block unknown callers. When this is on, calls from numbers not in your contacts go straight to voicemail.
You can also enable Spam protection in the same menu. This uses Samsung's database of known spam numbers to block calls before they reach you. The feature works in the background and does not require you to manually block each number.
If you receive repeated calls from the same unknown number, blocking it manually is faster than waiting for the spam filter to catch it. The manual block list takes effect when ready, while spam protection relies on Samsung's updated database.
What happens when you block a number
When you block a number on Samsung Galaxy, the person cannot call you, text you, or reach you through the default Phone and Messages apps. Their calls go unanswered and do not show on your call log. Text messages land in your spam folder instead of your main inbox.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that they have been blocked. Their call will ring on their end as normal, but it will not connect to your phone. After a few rings, they may hear a message saying the call cannot be completed, depending on your carrier.
Blocking a number does not prevent contact through other apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email. If you want to block someone completely, you may need to block them in those apps separately. The Phone and Messages block list only covers calls and texts through your carrier.
Unblock a number if you change your mind
To unblock a number, go to Settings, Apps, Phone, Permissions, then Block numbers. Find the number you want to unblock, tap it, and select Unblock. The number is removed from your block list when ready and can call or text you again.
You can also unblock a number by opening the Phone app, tapping the three dots, selecting Settings, then Block numbers, finding the contact, and tapping Unblock. Both methods work — use whichever is faster for you.
Once you unblock a number, any future calls or texts from that person will come through normally. Unblocking does not restore old messages or calls that arrived while the number was blocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked number tell they have been blocked?
No. A blocked caller will not receive a notification that you have blocked them. Their call may ring and then disconnect, or they may hear a generic message from your carrier saying the call cannot be completed. They have no way to know for certain that you blocked them rather than having your phone off or being out of service.
Do blocked numbers still leave voicemails?
Yes, blocked numbers can still leave voicemails, but you will not get a notification when they do. The voicemail goes into your voicemail box, and you can listen to it if you choose. You will not see a missed call notification on your home screen.
What if someone calls me from a different number after I block them?
Blocking one number does not block other numbers that person may have access to. If they call from a friend's phone or a different line, that call will come through normally. You would need to block each number separately.
Does blocking a number on my Samsung Galaxy block them on other devices?
No. Blocking a number only affects the phone you blocked it on. If you have a Samsung tablet or smartwatch, you would need to block the number on those devices separately. Your block list does not sync across devices automatically.
Can I block a number without saving it to my contacts?
Yes. You can block a number directly from your call history without creating a contact. Open the Phone app, find the number in your recent calls, press and hold it, and tap Block number. The number is blocked even though it is not saved in your contacts.