The fastest way to block a text on Android

Open the text message from the person you want to block. Tap and hold on the conversation or the sender's name — most Android phones will show a menu with a "Block" or "Block number" option. Tap it, and that person's texts will stop reaching your phone. The blocked messages go nowhere; they do not pile up on a server somewhere.

If you do not see a block option in that menu, open your Messages app (or whatever texting app came with your phone), find the conversation, and look for three dots or a menu icon in the top right corner. Tap that, then look for "Block number" or "Block contact". The exact wording changes between phone makers — Samsung, Google Pixel, and other brands each phrase it slightly differently — but the result is the same.

Once blocked, you will not see their texts, and they will not know they are blocked. Their messages straightforward fail to deliver on their end, usually with a generic "message not delivered" notification that does not say why.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block a number directly from a text message by tapping and holding the conversation and selecting "Block" from the menu.
  • Blocked messages do not arrive on your phone at all — they are not stored anywhere you can see them later.
  • The person who is blocked will not receive a notification that they are blocked, only that their message failed to send.
  • You can unblock a number anytime through your phone's Settings or Contacts app if you change your mind.
  • Blocking a text number does not block calls from that person unless you also block them in your phone's contact or call settings.

Where the block setting lives on different Android phones

Samsung phones (Galaxy series) usually show the block option when you long-press a conversation in the Messages app. Tap "Block number" and you are done. If that does not work, open Messages, tap the three-dot menu at the top, go to Settings, then Blocked numbers or Blocked contacts, and add the number manually.

Google Pixel phones and other stock Android devices work the same way: open Messages, find the conversation, tap the three-dot menu, and select "Block". If you need to block a number that has not texted you yet, open Contacts, find the person, tap the three-dot menu next to their name, and choose "Block number".

Other brands like OnePlus, Motorola, and Nokia follow similar patterns, though the menu names vary. The principle is always the same: find the conversation or contact, tap the menu, and look for a block option. If you cannot find it in the Messages app, check your phone's Settings under "Apps" or "Notifications" — some phones put blocking controls in a separate Blocked numbers section.

What happens to messages after you block someone

When you block a number, your phone stops receiving their texts when ready. Any messages they send after the block takes effect will not appear in your Messages app. You will not see a notification, and the conversation will not light up with a new message badge.

The blocked person's phone will usually show their message as "not delivered" or "failed to send" after a few seconds or minutes. They might try again, thinking it was a network glitch, but the result will be the same. They have no way to know whether you blocked them, your phone was off, or your number is no longer in service — the failure looks the same to them.

If you change your mind and unblock the number later, you will not see the messages they sent while you had them blocked. Those texts are gone. You will only see new messages from that point forward.

Blocking calls versus blocking texts

Blocking a text number does not automatically block calls from that person. If you want to block both texts and calls, you need to block the contact in two places. Blocking the number in your Messages app stops texts; blocking it in your Phone app or Contacts app stops calls.

On most Android phones, you can block a number for both at once by opening Contacts, finding the person, tapping the three-dot menu, and selecting "Block number" or "Block contact". That usually blocks both texts and calls in one step. But if you only blocked them in Messages, they can still call you, and you will see their call come through.

If you want to block calls but still receive texts from someone, you will need to unblock them in the Phone app while keeping them blocked in Messages. This is rare, but it is possible if you want to ignore someone's calls but stay reachable by text.

Unblocking a number if you change your mind

To unblock someone, open your Messages app and tap the three-dot menu at the top. Look for "Blocked numbers" or "Blocked contacts" — the exact name depends on your phone. Tap it, find the number you want to unblock, and tap the minus sign or delete icon next to it. Confirm the unblock, and they can text you again.

On Samsung phones, go to Messages, tap the menu, select Settings, then Blocked numbers. Find the number and tap the minus sign. On Google Pixel, open Messages, tap the three-dot menu, select "Blocked numbers", and swipe left on the number you want to unblock.

You can also unblock through your phone's main Settings app. Go to Settings, search for "Blocked numbers" or "Blocked contacts", and you should find a list of everyone you have blocked across all apps. Tap the number and select "Unblock".

When blocking is not enough

If someone is harassing you repeatedly, blocking one number might not stop them — they can use a different phone or a texting app to contact you again. If the harassment continues after blocking, take screenshots of the messages and report them to your phone carrier or to local police if the messages are threatening.

Most carriers have abuse reporting tools. You can also report spam or harassment directly to Google (if you use Google Messages) or Samsung (if you use Samsung Messages) through their in-app reporting features. These reports help the companies identify patterns of abuse and take action against repeat offenders.

If someone is using a texting app like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger instead of regular SMS texts, blocking them in your Messages app will not stop those messages. You need to block them within each app separately. Open WhatsApp, find the conversation, tap and hold it, and select "Block contact". Do the same in any other messaging app they use to reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the person I blocked tell that I blocked them?

No. They will see their messages fail to send, but they cannot tell whether you blocked them, your phone is off, or your number is inactive. Android does not send a notification to blocked callers or texters saying they have been blocked.

Will I see old messages from someone after I unblock them?

No. Messages they sent while you had them blocked are deleted and will not reappear. You will only see new messages from the moment you unblock them forward.

Does blocking a text number also block their calls?

Not always. Blocking in your Messages app stops texts, but they can still call you unless you also block them in your Phone app or Contacts app. Check both places if you want to block both texts and calls.

What if someone keeps texting me from different numbers?

Block each number as it appears. If the harassment is ongoing and coordinated, report it to your carrier and local police. Most carriers can help identify patterns and take action against repeat offenders.

Can I block someone without them knowing I read their message?

If you have not opened the message yet, you can block them before reading it. Once you open a message, the sender may see a read receipt (if you have that feature turned on), but blocking them afterward will not change that. Turn off read receipts in your Messages app settings if you want to hide whether you have read messages.