You can block text messages from a specific number or contact on your Android device with a third-party solution. Just follow these steps.
Blocking Text Messages
Option 1
Note: These steps are for the stock “Messages” app included with Android 7. Some carriers may include a different app for messaging.
- Open “Messages“.
- Press the “Menu”
icon located at the upper-right corner. - Select “Blocked contacts“.
- Tap “Add a number” to add a number you wish to block.
- If you ever wish to remove a number from the blacklist, return to the Blocked contacts screen, and select the “X” next to the number.
Owners of the numbers you have blocked will not receive any type of notification that they have been blocked. You would have to use an app like SwiftReply, mentioned below.
Option 2
If your messaging app does not offer a Blacklist option, use Handcent.
- Download and install Handcent SMS for your text messaging needs. It’s available in the Google Play store.
- Since you’ll be using Handcent for text messaging, disable the notifications for your current text messaging app. Otherwise, you’ll get double notifications for text messages.
- Open Handcent then select the menu at the upper left corner of the screen, and switch from “Inbox” to “More“.
- Choose “Settings“.
- Scroll down and select “Manage blacklist“.
- Tap the plus (+) icon to add the phone number you wish to block. You can choose one from your contacts, call logs, or input the number directly.
Now all of the text messages from that person will be blocked and not visible in the Handcent app. You won’t get notifications you’ve received a message from the person either. If you ever want to unblock the person, return to the “Manage blacklist” screen, tap it, then select “Unblacklist“.
Some users have reported that the app “Private Space” works well for them.
Sending an Automatic Reply Using SwiftReply
If you want to let a person know they have been blocked, you will need to download an app that will automatically reply to text messages. I recommend SMS Auto Reply. The app will allow you to setup an auto reply for specific Contacts.
rumaisa says
How can I block only text msgs not calls ?
Stacy says
Hey how do I block someone who I don’t know or have a number for?
angelina says
i have a scammer who keep texting from 2 different numbers. i was able to block but not the other. anh idea? i do not have the block or black list option.
Heather Linderman says
Is there a way to block just picture message and phone calls. But still receive regular text me6
Pascal Joseph Arlotta says
On messenger someone has added me to a list, the origin of the list is from an [email protected] at the bottom of the list…there are mechanisms to block the phone numbers on this list but not the email address …what can I use to block this email address from messenger
Rob says
worked for me lg back button phone
gene says
My third party app blocks calls but i cant block texts. No block option in android
Tyler says
Ridiculous that Android does not have a simple way to block texts but not calls from a specific contact. This single issue is about to cause me to change to apple. Its just dumb and there is no plausible reason for it.
લક્ષ્મી ૧૪૫૫ says
Some web driven SMS can’t be blocked
There must be way out
Frustrated says
Seems like on Android there is no way to block only texts and still allow calls from a specific number. Third party apps either suck or are sketchy. Really frustrating, why is this so difficult? I don’t want to recieve texts from my ex but I need to recieve calls in case of an emergency with our child.
latoya says
I want to block self or specific people from a group text chat I am in, but not everyone I want to block in the group chat text
saghir ahmed says
How can i stop only text msg but not call?
Kerri says
I have a menu but there is no “blocked contacts” listed.
Elena says
there are bars to the top left of screen with a menu but no blocking selection. It is very easy to block calls but not texts
Peg Garvey says
Got into MESSAGES but there is no MENU in the upper right corner.
Phil says
Nope it didn’t help. The reason it didn’t help is, it did not address the issue of being on a group text. As far as I can tell, when you are included on a group text, in the Handcent app, you can not Blacklist just one of the numbers in the group text. Maybe this is design problem with the app itself or no one ever had this issue.
Sandi McEachron says
I can’t receive messages from my chorus. I can receive individual messages just not group messages. I am using a Samsung galaxy 8. I have checked spam filters.and blocked texts. Nothing in there. Any suggestions of where to look? Thank you, Sandi