How to Block a Number on Samsung Galaxy Phones

Android devices include a variety of call blocking options. For Galaxy phones, Samsung offers its own set of solutions, including the ability to quickly add phone numbers to an Auto reject or Block list, although the specifics depend on which Galaxy phone you're using. Learn how to block numbers using Samsung Galaxy S10, S9, S8, S7, S6, and S5 devices.

How to Block a Number on Galaxy S10, S9, S8, and S7

You can block calls directly through the Phone menu instead of going to the Block list first. These instructions apply to Android OS version 11 and higher.

1. Open the Phone app and choose Recents.

2. Press and hold your finger on the number you want to block until a menu pops up.

3. Tap Block. Then tap Block again to confirm.

   On certain recent Galaxy phones, you can opt to reject a number either Always or Just once. Some recent models also prevent a blocked number from contacting you by text messaging as well as by phone.

4. Alternatively, from the Phone app, tap Menu > Settings > Block numbers or Block list.

5. Tap Add a number and enter the number you want to block.

   To unblock a caller, tap Remove or Minus (-) next to the number.

6. Select Block.

   To block and unblock all unknown callers, toggle the Unknown switch.

How to Block a Number on Galaxy S5

To block a number on the AT&T edition of the Galaxy S5, you need to remove a phone number from your Auto reject list. Here's how:

1. From the Phone app, go to Menu > Settings > Call > Call rejection > Auto reject list.
   

2. Tap Delete.

3. Tap the checkbox next to the desired phone number.

4. Tap Delete again.

Consistency Is Evolving

Overall, call blocking features on Galaxy phones have evolved over the years to improve their elegance, flexibility, and compatibility with call blocking capabilities on other Galaxy and non-Galaxy models. However, standardization of these features across all Galaxy phone models, from all carriers, hasn't quite happened.

Certain features appear on some Galaxy phones, but not all. You may also encounter variations in the terminology and icons appearing in menus. For instance, what was once known as the Auto reject list on Galaxy phones is now typically called the Block list. Unknown callers might instead be referred to as Anonymous callers or as Contacts without numbers.

Reasons for the Differences

The version of Android installed on your phone partially dictates call blocking capabilities. From the Galaxy S5 to the S9 alone, Samsung moved from Android 4.4 KitKat to Android 8.0 Oreo, with wireless carriers adopting these versions at their respective paces.

In its online documentation for the Galaxy S6, for example, T-Mobile describes two different techniques for blocking phone numbers; one method is for a Galaxy S6 running Android 5.0 Lollipop, while the other is for Android 6.0 Marshmallow. If you updated an older Galaxy model to a more recent version of Android, your call blocking features may have changed, too.

Complicating matters further is how wireless providers differentiate their phones through the feature sets they offer. Despite being the same phone, a T-Mobile Galaxy S9 may differ from a Galaxy S9 sold by Verizon or AT&T.

What Else Can You Do?

If these methods and their variations don't work for you, search online for carriers' product manuals for their editions of various Galaxy series. Alternatively, contact your provider for specifics about how to block phone numbers on your specific Galaxy phone model.

You can find plenty of third-party call blocking apps available, too.