On Android, open the Phone app, choose the unwanted call in call history, then tap Block/report spam or Samsung’s Block.
One unwanted caller can turn every ring into a nuisance, and knowing how to block a number on Android stops that interruption in a few taps. The exact labels depend on the Phone app: Google’s dialer uses Block/report spam, while Samsung Galaxy phones use Block or the Block numbers menu.
Blocking a call does not always block texts in a separate messaging app. To stop both kinds of contact, block the caller in the Phone app and then block the conversation in your messaging app if messages are also a problem.
Blocking A Number On Android: Where The Controls Differ
Phone by Google and Samsung Phone both let you block a recent caller, but their menus are not identical. Use the path that matches the dialer already installed on your phone.
Phone By Google
Google documents call blocking for Android 6.0 and later. Open the Phone app, tap More (the three-dot button), tap Call history, choose the unwanted call, then tap Block/report spam. The next call from that number is declined automatically.
To review the list later, open Phone > More > Settings > Blocked numbers. Google also places the Unknown switch there, but that switch is for private or unidentified callers, not every visible number missing from your contacts.
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung documents these controls for Galaxy phones running Android 9.0 or later, with availability varying by carrier, software version, and model. Open Phone, tap More options (the three vertical dots in the top-right corner), tap Settings > Block numbers, enter the number, then tap Add (the plus sign).
A recent Samsung caller can be blocked without typing the number: open Phone > Recents, select the number, tap Menu, then tap Block and confirm with Block. For a saved contact, open Contacts, choose the contact, tap More > Block contact, then confirm with Block.
Does Blocking A Number Stop Texts Too?
Call blocking and message blocking can be separate on Android, especially when you use Phone by Google with Google Messages. If the same number is texting you, block its conversation in the messaging app as well.
In Google Messages, open the app, touch and hold the unwanted conversation on the home screen, tap Block, then tap OK. Google states that spam reporting is optional, so you can block a sender without sending a spam report.
Samsung Messages has its own control: open Samsung Messages, touch and hold the conversation, tap More > Block, then tap Block again. Samsung also lets you review blocked senders under Samsung Messages > More options > Settings > Block numbers and spam.
Google’s current Phone app blocking instructions confirm the call-history path, the Blocked numbers screen, and the separate Unknown control.
| Situation | Menu Path | Control To Use |
|---|---|---|
| Phone by Google, recent caller | Phone > More > Call history > caller | Block/report spam |
| Phone by Google, private caller | Phone > More > Settings > Blocked numbers | Turn on Unknown |
| Samsung, typed number | Phone > More options > Settings > Block numbers | Enter number > Add |
| Samsung, saved contact | Contacts > contact > More | Block contact > Block |
| Samsung, recent caller | Phone > Recents > caller > Menu | Block > Block |
| Google Messages sender | Google Messages > touch and hold conversation | Block > OK |
| Samsung Messages sender | Samsung Messages > touch and hold conversation > More | Block > Block |
What Happens When A Blocked Number Calls?
Phone by Google declines calls from a blocked number automatically. Google also says a blocked caller cannot leave voicemail when visual voicemail is on, while Samsung directs Galaxy users to their carrier when they need to prevent voicemail from a specific caller.
That difference matters when a blocked person seems to be getting through. A voicemail on a Galaxy phone does not necessarily mean the number was removed from the blocked list; the carrier can still handle voicemail after the handset stops the ring.
Blocking Private And Repeated Spam Calls
Blocking one number is enough when the same caller keeps using it. Rotating spam numbers need a broader control, but the meaning of “unknown” changes between Google and Samsung.
On Phone by Google, Unknown blocks private or unidentified calls while visible numbers not saved in Contacts can still ring. On Samsung Galaxy, Block calls from unknown numbers is available on supported models, and Smart Call can also identify or block spam and scam calls on supported carrier and device combinations.
Do not use the unknown-caller switch as a substitute for blocking a specific visible number. A caller who shows a normal number can bypass that category until the number itself is added to the blocked list.
| What You Notice | Likely Reason | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Calls stop but texts still arrive | The number was blocked only in the Phone app | Block the conversation in Google Messages or Samsung Messages |
| Texts stop but calls still arrive | The sender was blocked only in the messaging app | Add the number to the Phone app’s blocked list |
| A private caller still rings | The unidentified-caller switch may be off | Turn on Unknown in Phone by Google |
| An unsaved visible number still rings on Google Phone | Unknown does not mean every number outside Contacts | Block that visible number directly |
| A blocked Galaxy caller leaves voicemail | Voicemail can be handled by the carrier | Ask the carrier about blocking voicemail from that caller |
| Spam returns from a different number | Blocking applies to the number you selected | Block the new number and use built-in spam controls where available |
| You blocked someone by mistake | The number remains on the blocked list | Open Blocked numbers and remove or unblock it |
Use The Control That Matches The Problem
A complete block takes only the controls tied to the kind of contact you want to stop. Use this sequence once, then leave the blocked list alone unless you need to reverse it.
- Open your Phone app and block the unwanted number using the Phone by Google or Samsung path above.
- If texts are still arriving, open your messaging app and block the same sender there.
- If the caller hides their number, turn on the private or unknown-caller control supported by your Phone app.
- If a Samsung-blocked caller still reaches voicemail, use your carrier’s voicemail-blocking options.
- To undo the block, return to Blocked numbers and choose Unblock or remove the number from Samsung’s list.
Once the number appears on the blocked list, Phone by Google declines its calls automatically. Samsung keeps blocked contacts or numbers on its lists until you remove them.
References & Sources
- Google Phone Help.“Block or unblock a phone number.”Documents call blocking, unidentified-number blocking, unblocking, and visual-voicemail behavior in Phone by Google.