Block Texts on Android Three Ways Using Stock Messaging App vs Android Messages App vs Truecaller App ... and 2 more
Edited by Chris Stipe, Eng, Maria Quinney
Although many Android devices come pre-installed with built-in apps for text messaging that can handle the ability to block texts, some carriers may have limited this option. Thereby leaving you unable to block unwanted texts on your Android device and possibly leaving you frustrated in the process.
Not to worry though! You don't have to contact your carrier to deal with the process of blocking a number from texting you if you don't want to, although that is an option for you to pursue. You can install an app that will allow you to block texts on your Android device if you prefer doing that than speaking to someone on the phone.
However, before we dive into the three ways you can block unwanted texts on Android, let's take a look at how do that using the stock Android messaging app to block texts on your Android device.
Method 1: Using Stock Messaging App
If your carrier hasn't blocked this function, and you are running Android Kitkat or higher, than the easiest way for you to block texts using Android's stock messaging app is to use the spam filter.
Please note, not all stock Android messaging apps have this function built-in. Devices made by Motorola need to skip method 1 and move on to method 2.
Not sure which version of Android you have? Follow our how-to Determine Which Version of Android Is Installed on Your Device guide
So, how can you block texts using the stock Android messaging app you ask? It's quite simple.
Just follow these steps below:
- 1Locate and tap on the "Messaging" or "Messages" icon to load up your text messaging app.
- This could look like either a blue circle with a white speech bubble in it, green speech bubble with a happy face or an envelope that can vary in color.
- 2Locate the text message that you want to block that sender from sending you messages and tap and hold the text.
- 3From here, you should either see a menu or icon options near the top of your screen (depending on your device).
- 4Tap on the "Add to spam" link or the icon (depending on the setup of your Android device).
- 5Confirm the prompt to blacklist the following number by tapping on the "OK" button to never receive messages from them again.
Are you looking to have more control and blocking power? There are more built-in settings you can use as well.
Please note again: If you have a device that doesn't have this function built-in, there will be no built-in settings for using the Spam Filter, you will have to proceed on to the next method.
- 1Inside the "Messaging" app, tap on the menu icon (it's the three vertical dots).
- 2Tap on "Settings"
- 3Scroll down inside the settings and tap on "Spam filter".
- 4Ensure the feature is enabled by making sure the slider or button is green in the top right-hand corner of your device's screen.
- If not, tap on the slider or button to activate the feature.
- If not, tap on the slider or button to activate the feature.
- 5From here you will have three options of control.
- "Add to spam numbers", which will allow to you block all texts from a specific number by either adding it manually or from your contacts and logs.
- "Add to spam phrases", which lets you specify "words" that if are used in a text message, they will be automatically marked as spam. A nifty feature to block those common keywords that it seems the majority of spammers all seem to use. "Please note and proceed with caution when using this option, as if you block a more common type of word and someone else that you know sends you a message with that word in it, their text message will get marked as spam.
- "Block unknown senders" is a feature that when checked and turned on, will make it so that anyone that is not in your contact list can't send you any text messages. While a handy function can also be risky if you ever want to get a text message from someone you know but might not have in your contacts list.
- "Add to spam numbers", which will allow to you block all texts from a specific number by either adding it manually or from your contacts and logs.
Method 2: Using Android Messages App
Does the stock Android messaging app not work for you? Not to worry, there are plenty alternatives available on the Google Play Store for you to choose from which will meet all your blocking needs.
However, while some of you might be using one alternative already, which is Google Hangouts to send and receive text messages and use it to also block text messages. I have some unfortunate news for you. The text message support will be leaving Google Hangouts soon and you will no longer be able to use the app to block text messages. Get more info here.
With that in mind, let us look at the first app you can use to replace the power of blocking text messages, which is Android Messages.
First, we will need to install this app (if you have not done so already) to continue on with this method.
Installing the Android Messages App
- 1You'll find this on either one of your home screens or in the app drawer.Locate and open the "Google Play Store" app.
- 2Tap in the search box and type in "Android Messages" without the brackets.
- 3Tap on "Android Messages" to bring you the app's information screen.
- 4Tap on the green "Install" button.
- 5Wait for your device to download and install the app to proceed to the next step.
Blocking Texts Using Android Messages
Now that you have downloaded and installed the Android Messages app, we can continue on with how to use it to block texts on your Android device.
- 1Tap on the green "Open" button to launch the app.
- 2Tap on the "Next" button.
- You will have to set the app as the default text messaging app If prompted. In order to make sure that you can block texts, certain apps require this change. This also means that this will become the app you use to send and receive text messages in and not the stock Android messaging app you were using beforehand.
- You will have to set the app as the default text messaging app If prompted. In order to make sure that you can block texts, certain apps require this change. This also means that this will become the app you use to send and receive text messages in and not the stock Android messaging app you were using beforehand.
- 3Locate the text message you wish to block and tap and hold on it to bring up the options.
- 4Tap on the "Block" icon.
- 5Tap the "Block" button on the pop-up window asking you to confirm you want to block this sender's number if you don't simply click on the "Cancel" button.
- 6Repeat the process for any other numbers you wish to block.That's all there is to it.
Unfortunately, there are no advanced options to give you greater control and blocking power like you would have found in the stock Android messaging app, but this app still gets the job done.
If you wish for more control and blocking power, and want to gain some other powerful options then you should consider using the Truecaller app.
Method 3: Using Truecaller App
The Truecaller App is a feature rich app that can identify unlisted numbers even when not connected to the internet, can also block unwanted spam calls and texts too. Ready to gain full control over who can call and text your Android device? We got you covered there too!
- 1Also, this guide will show you how to block unwanted numbers and text messages.Follow our existing how to Install and Set Up Truecaller to Know Who Is Calling Your Android Device.
If you are looking for a different alternative, consider going with the SMS Blocker - Clean Inbox app.
Method 4: Using the SMS Blocker App
This app was chosen as it not only does it come with everything need to block texts but it's easy and simple to use. It also comes with two versions, a free version (Ad supported) and a paid version. Also, with a good and strong rating on the Google Play Store with a rating of 4.4/5. While the free version is quite significant for doing its job at blocking unwanted texts, if you are not a big fan of seeing ads and want some additional features too, you might want to opt-out and buy the premium version.
Please note: This is a messaging app as well and will replace using the stock Android messaging app. After Kitkat was released, there is only the ability to run one messaging app at a time. If you decide to use this app, the default one will not work. You can always go back to the default one by opening it at any time and tapping on the "OK" button when changing it to the default messaging app.
To get started, we first must download and install the SMS Blocker - Clean Inbox app if you have not done so already. To install the app follow the steps below.
Installing SMS Blocker
- 1This might be found on one of your device's Home screens or in your app drawer.Locate and tap on the Google Play Store icon to launch the app.
- 2Tap on the search box and start typing "SMS blocker clean inbox".
- 3Tap on "SMS Blocker - Clean Inbox" to go to the app's information page.
- 4To install the app, tap on the green "Install" button.
- 5Tap on the green "Accept" button.
- 6Wait for the app to download and install to your device.
- 7Proceed on to the next step
Setting Up SMS Blocker for the First Time
In order to begin blocking text messages using SMS Blocker, we first need to run the app.
- 1Tap on the green "Open" button.
- 2This would be the number in front of the area code in which you type to be able to dial a long distance call, etc.Select your country and the right prefix number and tap on the "Next" button.
- 3From here, the first time you load the app, you will get a pop-up window to already start selecting text messages that you want to block who sent them,
- 4Read it and the tap "Got It!".
- 5Tap on the box to the right to add any existing texts and then tap the "Add in Block list" button.
- 6Tap on the "Back" arrow to go to the main screen.
- 7You will get the notification prompt to change the default messaging app you use to this app.
- 8Tap on the "OK" button.
- 9Next you will get the choice of whether or not you want to receive a notification for every time you get an incoming text message that is blocked.
- 10Select your choice and then tap on the "Set" button.
- 11Tap "Got It" on the pop-up window.
- 12You are now in the SMS Blocker app.
Blocking Text Messages Using SMS Blocker
- 1To block a specific sender of a text message, tap on the text message you want to block.
- 2Tap on the "Block" icon near the top of the screen.
- 3On the pop-up window, if you are sure you want to block the number, tap on "Yes" if you don't want to, tap "No".
- 4Repeat the process for every sender that you want to block getting text messages from.
There are also many other features and settings within the SMS Blocker app that you should take your time to get familiar with. To access the menu, tap on the three horizontal lines icon in the top left corner of your screen.
Unfortunately, if none of the above methods worked for you, contacting your carrier and getting to do this for you is your last option.
Method 5: Contact Your Carrier
If you don't want to use a third-party app or if your carrier has limited the function of blocking texts in the stock Android messaging app, you can still contact your carrier to get them to block a number for you. Although this isn't the easiest method to do, if all the above methods failed to work for you, this is one method that won't.
Your carrier can create a list for you of numbers that you wish to block to no longer receive unwanted texts from them. However, please note that some carriers may charge you for doing this type of service. So make sure you find out first before doing it.
The easiest way would be to contact your carrier's help/support number. I'm sure some carriers do have a spot on their website in which once you log into your account you can search for a bit and find a page where you can block numbers. If not though, calling them is your best course of action.
If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.
