How to Block Contacts and Unknown Callers on Android

Some of your contacts or unknown callers may bother you with unnecessary calls during your busy hours. If you are done taking calls from these contacts or unknown identities, you can easily block them on your Android phone.

Maybe your mobile number has been the victim of a data breach, and now you are constantly receiving calls from unknown marketing companies and banks for charging offers. Follow the steps below and block unknown contacts and callers on Android.

block contacts on android

First, we will show you how to block contacts already saved on your contact list. We will outline the steps for Pixel and Samsung phones running One UI.

Pixel Phones

Google has integrated the Block feature directly into the Contacts app on Android. Anyone using the default Contacts app on Android can use the trick to block contacts on Android.

Step 1: Open the Contacts app on your Pixel phone.

2nd step: Find a contact you want to block.

Step 3: Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select Block numbers.

Step 4: Contacts will ask for confirmation. Select Block from the pop-up menu and mute calls from the specific contact.

Repeat the steps for each contact you want to block on Android.

Samsung Galaxy phones

Samsung is using a revamped user interface with One UI on Galaxy phones. The company has an answer to every Google app on Android.

Follow the steps below to block contacts on Samsung Galaxy phones running One UI.

Step 1: Open the Samsung Contacts app on the phone.

2nd step: Find the contact you want to block.

Step 3: Open the contact information menu.

Step 4: Tap the More menu at the bottom.

Step 5: Select Block contact and confirm your decision.

The blocked contact will not bother you with calls or messages from now on.

Block unknown callers on Android

There are two ways to block unknown callers on Android. First, you can save unknown callers as a contact. But that takes time, and why would you want to add unknown callers as contacts in the first place? It does not mean anything.

Another method is to go to the blocked callers list and manually add unknown numbers to the list. Here’s how.

Pixel Phones

Follow the steps below to add unknown callers to block list on Pixel phones.

Step 1: Open the Phone app on your Pixel phone.

2nd step: Tap the three-dot menu at the top and go to Settings.

Step 3: From the General menu, select Blocked Numbers.

Step 4: Tap Add number and manually type the number and select Block.

In the same menu, you can also enable the “Unknown” toggle at the top to block calls from unidentified callers.

You can add as many unknown callers as possible to the list to reduce spam in the future.

Samsung Galaxy phones

Those who use Samsung Galaxy phones can use the trick below to block unknown callers.

Step 1: Open the Phone app on Samsung and it will open the keyboard menu.

2nd step: Tap the More menu at the top and select Settings.

Step 3: Select Block numbers.

Unlike other Android phones, you don’t need to manually add contacts to the list. You can tap Recents and add unknown callers directly from the Recent Calls menu. It’s a thoughtful and nice touch from Samsung.

Step 4: You can still manually add phone numbers to the list.

Enable caller ID and spam protection

Android comes with default caller ID and spam protection to identify and prevent spam calls from bothering you. Here’s how you can activate and use it.

Pixel Phones

Caller ID and spam protection are hidden in the Phone app.

Step 1: Open the Phone app and select the More menu at the top.

2nd step: Go to Settings and open the Caller ID and Spam menu.

Step 3: Enabling the Show caller and spam ID toggle will identify corporate and spam numbers.

Step 4: Turn on the Filter unwanted calls toggle and your phone will block suspected spam calls from reaching you.

Samsung Galaxy phones

Samsung also offers a similar function. Open the Phone app and go to Call Settings from the top menu.

Open the Caller ID and spam protection menu. Activate the Block spam and fraudulent calls option.

What Happens When You Block Someone on Android

Now that you have blocked contacts and unknown callers on your Android phone, they will no longer be able to call or text you.

However, they can still reach you via email, WhatsApp or Telegram. You need to block them on social media to completely prevent the person from reaching out to you.

You can read our dedicated article on what happens when you block someone on WhatsApp to learn more.

Delete unwanted calls on Android

If you change your mind, you can go to the Block numbers menu and unblock the selected numbers and contacts from the list.