How to Block Unknown Numbers on Android

A quick and easy guide to blocking phone calls from private, hidden numbers

Written by Mitch Harris | Edited by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: March 17, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to block calls from a number you don’t recognize using an Android phone, as well as how to block all unknown calls to your Android. Since most Androids don't support built-in call-blocking, you may need to use an app called "Should I Answer?" to block unknown incoming calls.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Blocking a Single Number

1
Open the Phone app. It’s the phone receiver icon that’s typically found on the home screen.
- If you're using a Samsung Galaxy, skip to the next method.
2
Go to your recent calls. The location varies by Android. If the Phone app doesn’t open to your recent calls immediately, look for an icon with a clock or the word "Recent" here.

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3
Tap and hold the number you want to block. A menu will appear.
4
Tap Block/report spam. This name of the option may vary, but you should see something along the lines of Block here. A confirmation message will appear.
- You may have to tap a Blacklist or Block list option here instead.
5
Tap Block if prompted to confirm. You will no longer receive calls from this number.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Blocking All Unknown Numbers on Samsung Galaxy

1
Open the Phone app. You'll find this phone-shaped app icon on the Home Screen, or you can swipe up or down to open the App Drawer and look for it there.^{[1]
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2
Tap ⋮. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. Tapping it prompts a drop-down menu.
3
Tap Settings. This is in the drop-down menu. Doing so opens the Call Settings page.
4
Tap Block numbers. It's in the "CALL SETTINGS" section of the page.
5
Tap the white "Block anonymous calls" switch
. The switch will change color, signifying that your Samsung Galaxy will no longer take calls from unknown sources.
- If you just want to block a single number, type it into the "Add phone number" text box near the top of the page and then tap Done in the keypad.
- You'll still be able to receive calls from people who aren't in your contacts as long as they're using actual phone numbers. If you want to restrict incoming calls to only people who are in your contacts, try using the "Should I Answer?" app.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Blocking All Unknown Numbers on Stock Android

1
Download the "Should I Answer?" app. This app reviews incoming calls, and can be set to reject all unknown calls (including all numbers which aren't in your contacts). To download it, open the
Play Store, then do the following:
- Tap the search bar.
- Type in should I answer
- Tap Should I Answer?
- Tap INSTALL
- Tap ACCEPT
2
Open Should I Answer. Tap OPEN in the Google Play Store, or tap the octopus-shaped Should I Answer? app icon in your Android's App Drawer.
3
Tap CONTINUE. It's at the bottom of the screen.
4
Tap the SETTINGS tab. You'll find this at the top of the screen.
5
Scroll down to the "Block INCOMING Calls from" heading. It's near the middle of the Settings page.
6
Enable call-blocking for incoming calls. Tap the white switch
to the right of any (or all) of the following:
- local negative rated numbers
- community negative rated numbers
- numbers not stored in contacts
- hidden numbers
- foreign numbers
7
Disable incoming texts if needed. If you want to prevent unknown/non-contact numbers from being able to text you, scroll down to the "Block INCOMING SMS" section and tap the white switch(es) next to the option(s) you want to implement.
8
Exit Should I Answer. Your settings will be saved. From now on, calls from unknown numbers should be blocked.