How to block calls on your Android phone

There are plenty of times where you want to block calls from certain numbers. It could be an insurance company trying to make you claim compensation for an accident you never had, or a possessive ex-girlfriend or boyfriend. Whatever your reasons, we can show you how to block calls on your Android phone, whether it's an HTC, LG, Samsung, Sony or stock Android device.

Samsung (Galaxy S4, S5, S6, Note 4)

To block all calls from an individual on your Samsung Lollipop device:

1. Tap the Phone app, Call Log, then the number you want to block.
2. Next, tap More at the top right, then Add to auto reject list.
3. That's it! To reverse this, just go through the same process again but tap Remove from auto reject list at the end.

Want to block a number on your Galaxy S6? Just add them to your auto-reject list. / © ANDROIDPIT

But there's more. You can also manage your auto-reject list and even block unknown numbers:

1. In the Phone app, tap More at the top right, then Settings.
2. Next, tap Call rejection > Auto reject list and you can see all the numbers you auto-reject.
3. Here you can manually remove and add numbers to the list, or block all unknown numbers by toggling the switch next to Unknown.

Manage your block numbers on your Galaxy phone using the Auto reject list. / © ANDROIDPIT

Stock Android (Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Moto X, Moto G)

Oddly, neither stock Android Lollipop nor Marshmallow has an integrated call-blocking feature. Instead, whether or not you have call blocking will depend on your carrier. To check if you have it, open the Phone app, tap the number you want to block, then tap Details, and then the Menu button at the top right. If your carrier's included phone blocking, it will appear here as Add to blacklist or Reject call.

There is a workaround for Lollipop or Marshmallow users though, albeit not an ideal one (this process is essentially the same for KitKat too).

1. First, save the number you want to block as a contact.
2. Next, go to your Phone app, tap Contacts, then tap their name.
3. Tap the pencil icon next to the menu icon, then on the next screen tap the menu icon at the top right and All calls to voicemail.

If your stock Android handset doesn't have call-blocker, you can divert unwanted calls to voicemail. / © ANDROIDPIT

Alternatively, you could install an app that lets you block calls and manage them. Calls Blacklist is a call-blocker with a good reputation, and will do the job stock Marshmallow can't.

HTC (One M7, One M8, One M9)

Like Samsung, HTC has made it super-easy to block calls, and easily manage your blocked numbers. To block calls from a specific number on your HTC phone:

1. Go to your Phone app, then go to Call History or tap the search icon to find the number you want to block.
2. Long-tap the number you want to block, then tap Block caller.
3. To manage your blocked contacts, tap the menu icon at the top right of your Phone app, then Blocked contacts. Here you can add or remove blocked contacts, and even see when your phone blocked messages and calls from this contact.

The HTC One M9 makes it easy to block calls to your device. / © ANDROIDPIT

Sony (Xperia Z2, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact)

The Xperia Z series doesn't feature in-built call blocking, so you'll have to use the Lollipop solution to block numbers; either download Calls Blacklist or send unwanted numbers straight to voicemail. To do this:

1. Tap All apps > Contacts then the name of the contact you want to block (if the number you want to block isn't already a contact, you'll have to make it one).
2. Once you've tapped the name of the contact, tap the Edit icon, then Menu, then All calls to voicemail. 

You can't block calls as such on your Xperia, but you can send them straight to voicemail. / © ANDROIDPIT

LG (G2, G3, G4)

LG phones have some nifty tools for blocking numbers – a little too nifty perhaps. If your LG is running on Lollipop and you receive a call from a number you want to block, rather than sliding your finger from the center towards the red phone icon, drag the red phone icon into the center instead. This will add the caller to your 'Call reject list'. To manage this list:

1. Go to Settings > Wireless and networks > Call.
2. Next, tap Call reject > Reject calls from to see your list of blocked numbers. You can add numbers to this list by tapping the '+' icon at the top right, or remove them from this list. You can also reject all calls from unknown ('private') numbers here.