There may be times when someone keeps calling your Android smartphone, but you just want them to leave you alone. Or perhaps you had an argument with someone and blocked their number, but you want them to be able to call you again so you can smooth things out. Fortunately, both of these things are possible on Android smartphones!
In this lesson, we'll show you how to set your Android phone up to block calls from certain numbers. We can also show you how to take numbers off your block list if you want to stop someone's calls from being blocked.
How do I block or unblock a caller on my Android phone?
There are two ways that you can block or unblock calls from specific phone numbers on an Android phone. The easiest way is to find a number in your Call History and block it instantly, but you can also block a number by entering it into your "Call Blocking" settings.
We'll show you how to use both methods below.
How to block or unblock a caller from your Call History
1. Start up your phone and get the Phone app open.
Power up your phone by pressing and holding the "Power" button. Then find the Phone app – it's usually on your main screen – and tap it to get it running.
2. Take a look at your Call History, find the number you want to block, and then block the number.
Once your Phone app launches, tap the Call History tab (the clock icon) to see a list of people who have recently called you (or whom you've recently called). Tap the person whom you which to block, and then tap Block/Report Spam.
3. Confirm that you want to block the number, and perhaps report it as spam.
A dialogue box will open asking you if you really want to block the number you chose. If you think the call was from a telemarketer, scammer, or other unsolicited person, you can keep the check box labelled "Report Call as Spam" marked. If not, you can tap the check box to unmark it. Tap Block to confirm that you want to block this number.
4. Repeat the process for the same number if you decide you want to unblock it.
If you want to unblock a person or number, simply go back to your Call History, tap on a call from – or to – them again, and then tap Unblock Number. Tap Unblock in the dialogue box that appears to confirm that you want to unblock that person.
How to block or unblock a caller using your "Call Blocking" settings
1. Turn your phone on and launch the Phone app.
Once you have powered on your phone, find the Phone app and open it by tapping it.
2. Access your additional calling options.
Inside the Phone app, tap the More Options button (the three vertical dots) in the top-right corner of the screen. This will cause a menu to appear; when it does, tap Settings.
3. View your Call Blocking list.
On the next screen, tap Call Blocking.
4. Choose to add a new number to your Call Blocking list.
You will now see a list of all of the phone numbers you've blocked. To add a new number to the list, tap Add a Number.
5. Type in the number that you wish to block, and then tap "Block."
Using the dial pad that appears at the bottom of the screen, type in the phone number that you wish to block calls and text messages from. When you're done, tap Block.
6. Tap the "X" beside a blocked number to unblock it.
You should now see the number you entered appear on your block list. To remove it from the list, simply tap the "X" beside it, and then tap Unblock to confirm your choice.
Alright! Now you know two different ways to block or unblock calls from specific people on your Android phone. Manage your block list wisely to fend off calls from people you don't want to hear from and keep getting calls from those you really do want to talk to! And be sure to visit the rest of our course on Android calling and voicemail to learn all the different things you can do to chat it up with people on your Android phone!
