Block Texts from the Phone App

Blocking a number in the Android Phone or Dialer will also block text messages from the number.

  1. Open the Phone app and tap the profile icon next to the unsaved number or contact you want to block.
  2. Tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen and select Block numbers.
  3. Select if you want to report the number as spam (to Google & your cellular carrier) and tap Block.
You can also block the number from the call history page. Tap the number on the list of recent calls and select History. Tap the menu icon, choose Block, and tap Block again on the confirmation prompt.
Block Texts on Messages for Web

You can also block texts in Android if the Messages app is paired to your computer via the Messages web/desktop client. The steps for blocking texts on Messages for web are the same as mobile. 

Here’s how to remotely block texts on an Android device from your computer.

  1. Open Messages for web in the browser paired to the Messages app. Locate and open the conversation from the number/contact you want to block.
  2. On the sidebar, hover your cursor on the number or contact, and tap the three-dot Options icon.
3. Select Block & report spam on the menu option. 

  1. Select the Report spam checkbox if you want the spammer’s number and texts sent to Google and your carrier network. Otherwise, uncheck the option and select OK to stop receiving text messages from the number.
  1. Alternatively, open the spam message, select the menu icon in the top-right corner, and select Details.

  1. Select Block & report spam and select OK on the confirmation.

Unblock Texts in Messages for Web

Follow the steps below to remove a number or contact from the block list in Messages for web.

  1. Open Messages for web, tap the More options icon at the top of the sidebar, and select Spam & blocked.
  1. Select Unblock next to the number you want to remove from the list and select Done.

Enable Spam Protection in Android

The official Android Messages app has a spam protection engine that uses on-device intelligence to detect and block spam messages. Here’s how to enable to feature:

  1. Open Messages, tap the three-dot menu icon, and select Settings.
  2. Select Spam protection.
  3. Toggle on Enable spam protection.

Note that enabling spam protection prompts Android to send data (details of the sender) about spam messages to Google. Your phone number or content of the spam messages aren’t sent to Google.

Block Texts Using Third-Party Apps

Many third-party caller ID apps & texting apps also have built-in spam filters that do the heavy lifting for you. These apps usually have a database of phone numbers reported as spam by other users. So, if an unknown number flagged (as spam) by many users sends you a text, these apps automatically block the text and file it in the spam folder.

TrueCaller is a great app that brilliantly identifies and block text messages from unknown numbers, bots, and telemarketers. If you’re blocking a number using a third-party app, ensure it’s your default SMS app.

Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Default apps > SMS app and select the third-party app.


Block Texts Everywhere

Note that people you block in Messages or SMS apps can still send you texts (using the same number) on other instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. To block someone from texting you on these apps, you’ll need to manually block the person’s number in the app’s settings. 

Some mobile network operators have account management apps that can block spam calls and texts at the network level. 

So, even if you switch to another device, the number won’t still be able to call or text you. 

Contact your cellular carrier for more information about adding numbers to a blacklist.