Blocking stops calls, texts, and notifications from one person

When you block a contact on Android, that person cannot call you, text you, or reach you through most messaging apps. Their calls go straight to voicemail without your phone ringing. Their text messages do not arrive in your inbox — they disappear on their end after a delay, usually showing as "not delivered." You will not see notifications from them. The person does not get a message saying they are blocked; the experience on their end just looks like your phone is off or you are not responding.

Blocking is different from muting or silencing. If you mute someone, their calls and texts still come through — you just do not hear them. If you block someone, the messages do not arrive at all. Blocking is also different from deleting a contact; deleting just removes their name from your phone, but calls and texts still come through normally.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocking a contact stops their calls, texts, and app notifications from reaching you, and they will not know they are blocked.
  • You can block someone through the Phone app, Messages app, or directly from their contact card — the method depends on which app you use most.
  • Blocked contacts can still leave voicemails, and those voicemails may or may not appear in your voicemail inbox depending on your carrier and phone settings.
  • You can unblock someone at any time by going back to the same menu where you blocked them and selecting the unblock option.

How to block someone through the Phone app

Open the Phone app on your Android device. Find the person you want to block — you can search for them by name, scroll through your recent calls, or look in your contacts list. Tap and hold their name or number until a menu appears. Look for an option that says "Block" or "Block contact" and tap it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure; tap "Block" again to confirm.

On some Android phones, the menu might say "Block number" instead of "Block contact," or you might need to tap a three-dot menu icon first to see the block option. If you do not see a block option in the menu, try tapping the contact's name to open their full contact card, then look for a menu icon (usually three dots) at the top or bottom of the screen.

How to block someone through the Messages app

Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap and hold the conversation until a menu appears. Look for "Block" or "Block contact" in that menu and tap it. Confirm when prompted. Some versions of the Messages app show a block option if you tap the contact's name at the top of the conversation thread instead.

If you want to block someone before they have texted you, open Messages, tap the three-dot menu at the top of the screen, and look for an option like "Blocked contacts" or "Block numbers." From there you can usually enter a phone number or contact name to block directly.

How to block someone from their contact card

Open your Contacts app and find the person you want to block. Tap their name to open their full contact card. Look for a menu icon — usually three vertical dots — at the top or bottom of the screen. Tap it and look for "Block contact" or "Block number." Tap it and confirm.

This method works the same way on most Android phones, though the exact location of the menu icon can vary. If you do not see a block option on the first menu, try scrolling down on the contact card itself — some phones put the block option lower on the page.

What happens to voicemails from blocked contacts

When you block someone, their calls go to voicemail, but what happens to those voicemails depends on your carrier and your phone settings. Some carriers automatically delete voicemails from blocked numbers. Others send them to a separate "blocked" voicemail folder that you can access if you want to. A few carriers deliver them to your regular voicemail inbox as if nothing was blocked.

You can usually control this behavior through your carrier's voicemail settings. Call your carrier's customer service number (printed on your bill or on their website) and ask what happens to voicemails from blocked contacts on your account. You may be able to change the setting, or you may be stuck with whatever your carrier's default is.

How to unblock someone

Open the Phone app, Messages app, or Contacts app — whichever one you used to block the person. Look for a menu option that says "Blocked contacts," "Blocked numbers," or "Block list." Tap it to see your list of blocked people. Find the person you want to unblock and tap the minus sign, trash icon, or "Unblock" button next to their name. Confirm when prompted.

Once you unblock someone, they can call and text you normally again. They will not receive a notification that you unblocked them. If they had sent you messages while they were blocked, those messages will not suddenly appear in your inbox — they are gone.

Blocking through third-party messaging apps

If someone contacts you through WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, or another third-party app, blocking them in the Phone or Messages app will not stop them from reaching you through that app. You have to block them inside each app separately.

Open the app where you want to block them. Find the conversation or the person's profile. Look for a menu option — usually three dots or a gear icon — and tap it. Look for "Block" or "Block user" and tap it. The exact steps vary by app, but the principle is the same: you block them within the app itself, not through your phone's system settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked contact tell they are blocked?

No. Their calls go to voicemail and their texts show as "not delivered," but they do not get a message saying you blocked them. They might suspect it, but your phone does not notify them.

Will blocked contacts see my status or profile picture?

On the Phone and Messages apps, they cannot see your status or call you. On third-party apps like WhatsApp or Instagram, blocking behavior varies — some apps hide your profile picture and status, others do not. Check the app's settings or help section for specifics.

Can I block someone without them knowing I looked at their contact?

Yes. Blocking someone does not send them a notification or alert of any kind. They will only notice if they try to call or text you and the message does not go through.

What if I block someone by accident?

Go back to your blocked contacts list in the Phone, Messages, or Contacts app and tap the unblock option next to their name. They can call and text you normally again when ready.

Do I need to delete a contact before I block them?

No. You can block someone whether their contact is saved in your phone or not. Blocking and deleting are separate actions — you can do either one without doing the other.