How to Block Texts on Android

Posted By: technowifi

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Block a Number in Google Messages

Google Messages is the default texting app on Pixel phones and many other Android devices.

  1. Open the Messages app.
  2. Open the conversation from the number you want to block.
  3. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
  4. Tap “Details” or the contact’s name/number at the top.
  5. Tap “Block & report spam.”
  6. Confirm by tapping “OK.”

The blocked number can no longer send you texts or call you. Messages from that number are silently discarded – you won’t see them and won’t get notifications. The sender doesn’t receive any indication that they’ve been blocked.

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Block a Number in Samsung Messages

  1. Open the Samsung Messages app.
  2. Open the conversation you want to block.
  3. Tap the three-dot menu, then “Block number” (or tap the contact name at the top, then “Block”).
  4. Check “Also report as spam” if it’s a spam number.
  5. Tap “Block.”

You can also block numbers from the Phone app. Open the Phone app, go to Recents, tap the number, and select “Block number.”

Block Texts From Your Settings

If you don’t have a text conversation to open (for example, you want to proactively block a number), add it to your block list through settings.

Google Messages: Open Messages, tap your profile icon, then “Messages settings,” then “Blocked numbers.” Tap “Add a number” and enter the number you want to block.

Samsung Messages: Open Messages, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings, then “Block numbers and spam.” Tap “Block numbers” and enter the number.

Phone app: Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings, then “Blocked numbers.” Add numbers here. This blocks both calls and texts from those numbers.

Filter Spam Messages

Beyond blocking individual numbers, you can filter out spam messages automatically.

Google Messages spam protection:

  1. Open Messages, tap your profile icon, then “Messages settings.”
  2. Tap “Spam protection.”
  3. Make sure “Enable spam protection” is turned on.

Google Messages analyzes incoming messages and automatically moves suspected spam to a separate “Spam & blocked” folder. You can review filtered messages periodically to make sure nothing legitimate was caught.

Samsung spam filter:

  1. Open Messages, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings.
  2. Tap “Block numbers and spam.”
  3. Enable “Block unknown senders” to filter messages from numbers not in your contacts.

Block Texts From Unknown Numbers

If you’re getting spam from constantly changing numbers (which makes blocking individual numbers pointless), filter all unknown senders.

Samsung: Messages, then Settings, then “Block numbers and spam,” then enable “Block unknown senders.” Texts from numbers not in your contacts go to a separate folder instead of your main inbox.

Google Messages: Doesn’t have a blanket “block unknown senders” option, but its spam filter catches most spam. For stricter filtering, your carrier may offer additional spam blocking services.

Carrier Spam Blocking Tools

Carrier Tool Cost
T-Mobile Scam Shield Free (premium version $4/month)
AT&T ActiveArmor Free (advanced version $4/month)
Verizon Call Filter Free (plus version $3/month)

Download your carrier’s spam blocking app from the Play Store. These tools work at the network level and catch spam before it reaches your phone. The free versions handle most spam; the paid versions add features like personal block lists and caller ID.

Report Spam Texts

Reporting spam helps carriers and Google improve their spam filters for everyone.

In Google Messages: Open the spam conversation, tap the three-dot menu, then “Block & report spam.” Checking “Report spam” sends the message details to Google.

Forward to 7726 (SPAM): Forward the spam text to 7726. This reports it to your carrier. All major US carriers monitor this number and use reports to block spam senders across their network.

FTC: Report persistent spam to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. This is especially important for scam texts that impersonate companies or government agencies.

Unblock a Number

Google Messages: Open Messages, tap your profile icon, then “Messages settings,” then “Blocked numbers.” Tap the X next to the number you want to unblock.

Samsung Messages: Open Messages, tap three-dot menu, then Settings, then “Block numbers and spam,” then “Block numbers.” Tap the minus icon next to the number to unblock.

Phone app: Open Phone, tap three-dot menu, then Settings, then “Blocked numbers.” Remove the number from the list.

Troubleshooting

Still getting texts from a blocked number. Blocking works for SMS and MMS. If the person is messaging you through RCS (Rich Communication Services) or an internet messaging app, they might not be blocked on those channels. Check that the number is on your block list in both the Messages app and the Phone app. Some phones maintain separate block lists for each.

Spam from constantly different numbers. Spammers rotate phone numbers to bypass individual blocks. Use carrier-level spam blocking (Scam Shield, ActiveArmor, Call Filter) which catches these at the network level. Enable Google Messages spam protection. Consider blocking all unknown senders if the spam is severe.

Legitimate messages going to spam. Check the “Spam & blocked” folder periodically. If a legitimate contact’s messages are being filtered, open their conversation and tap “Not spam.” Add their number to your contacts – messages from saved contacts almost never get filtered as spam.

Does blocking a number block calls too?

Yes. On Android, blocking a number in the Phone app or Messages app blocks both calls and texts from that number. The block applies system-wide, not just in one app.

Will the blocked person know they’re blocked?

No direct notification goes to the blocked person. Their texts are silently discarded and their calls go straight to voicemail. They don’t receive a “blocked” message. Over time, they may realize something is off because their messages never get responses and calls always go to voicemail, but the phone doesn’t tell them explicitly.

Can I block texts but not calls from a number?

Android’s built-in blocking is all-or-nothing – it blocks both calls and texts. There’s no native way to block only texts while allowing calls. Some third-party apps like Textra or Pulse SMS offer more granular control, but this functionality isn’t available in the stock Messages or Phone apps.

See also: How to Record a Phone Call on Android, How to Set Up Voicemail on Android, How to Update Apps on Android

Sources

Google – Block Messages | Samsung – Block Calls and Messages