How to block a call or text on Samsung
You can block a phone number directly from your Samsung phone using the built-in Phone or Messages app—you do not need to read anything extra. The blocked number will not be able to call or text you, and their calls will go straight to voicemail without your phone ringing. The process takes about 10 seconds once you find the number you want to block.
Samsung phones running Android 6.0 and newer all have this feature. If you are not sure which version you have, go to Settings > About phone and look for the Android version number near the bottom of the screen.
Key Takeaways
- You can block a number from the Phone app by finding the call or contact, tapping the three dots, and selecting block.
- You can also block a number from the Messages app the same way—find the conversation, tap the three dots, and choose block.
- Blocked numbers cannot call or text you, and their calls go straight to voicemail without ringing your phone.
- You can see a list of all blocked numbers in Phone or Messages settings and unblock any of them at any time.
- If you want to block unknown numbers or spam calls automatically, Samsung has a separate spam filter you can turn on.
Block a number from your call history
Open the Phone app and find the number you want to block in your recent calls list. Press and hold the number or contact name until a menu appears, then tap Block number. On some Samsung models, you may see a three-dot menu icon instead—tap that and select Block.
The number is now blocked. If that person calls again, you will not see a notification and the call will go to voicemail. You will not receive a text message notification either, though the message will still arrive in your blocked messages folder if you want to check it later.
Block a number from a text message
Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the number you want to block. Press and hold the conversation thread until a menu appears at the top of the screen. Tap the three-dot menu icon and select Block number or Block contact.
Some older Samsung models may show the block option directly in the menu without needing the three dots. If you do not see a block option, try opening the conversation, tapping the contact name at the top, and looking for a block or settings option there.
Block a number from your contacts
Open the Contacts app and find the person you want to block. Tap their name to open their contact card, then tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner. Select Block contact or Block number.
This method is useful if you want to block someone you have saved in your contacts. The contact itself stays in your phone, but all calls and texts from that number will be blocked.
Turn on spam and robocall filtering
If you want to block unknown numbers or reduce spam calls automatically, Samsung phones have a built-in spam filter. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu icon, and go to Settings > Spam protection or Block unknown. Toggle the setting on.
When this is on, calls from numbers not in your contacts may be automatically blocked or filtered. You can usually see these blocked calls in a separate folder within the Phone app. The exact name of this setting varies slightly between Samsung models—look for words like "spam," "unknown," or "filter."
View and manage your blocked numbers
To see a list of all the numbers you have blocked, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and go to Settings > Blocked numbers. You will see every number you have blocked from the Phone app. To unblock a number, tap it and select Unblock.
If you blocked a number from the Messages app instead, you may need to check the blocked list there separately. Open Messages, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, and look for Blocked contacts or Blocked numbers. The exact location depends on your Samsung model and Android version.
What happens when you block a number
A blocked number cannot call you, and their call will not ring your phone or show a notification. The call goes straight to voicemail, and the caller may hear a message saying the number is unavailable or the call cannot be completed. Text messages from a blocked number will not show notifications, but they may still be stored in a blocked messages folder that you can view if you choose.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that they have been blocked—they will only know if they try to call and realize the call goes to voicemail every time. Blocking is one-way: you can still call or text them if you want to, though you probably will not want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked number still leave me a voicemail?
Yes. When a blocked number calls, the call goes straight to voicemail, and they can leave a message. You will not be notified that they called, but the voicemail will be stored in your voicemail inbox if you want to listen to it later.
Will a blocked number know they are blocked?
No official notification is sent. They will only suspect they are blocked if their calls consistently go to voicemail and texts do not get responses. Some carriers may play a message saying the call cannot be completed, but this is not a confirmation of blocking.
Can I block a number that is not in my contacts?
Yes. You can block any number from your call history or by typing it in manually. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings, and look for an option to add a number to your blocked list directly.
What if I accidentally block someone I did not mean to?
Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Blocked numbers, find the number, and tap Unblock. The person can call and text you again when ready after you unblock them.
Do I need a special app to block numbers on Samsung?
No. The blocking feature is built into the Phone and Messages apps on all recent Samsung phones. You do not need to read anything. If you want extra spam filtering, some carriers offer their own apps, but Samsung's built-in tools work for most people.