Here is the guide on how to block all incoming phone calls from numbers that are not in your contacts on Android phone: stock Android, Huawei, Xiaomi, Meizu.
It’s quite simple to block a single caller on Android but what to do if you are attacked by a squall of calls from different strange phone numbers? Of course, you may ban them one by one but you will continue to receive unwanted calls from yet a new number each time.
In this case the white-list technology will help you out. You need to block all stranger (callers whose numbers are not added to your contacts) but let all your contacts easily reach you.
In this article we will explain how to block strangers using the built-in phone apps and do the same using third-party call managers.
Related:My Communication Etiquette or How I Hate to Be Contacted
[Contents] How to Block Incoming Calls from Strangers – Phone Numbers That Are Not in Contacts:
- on stock Android (Pixel, Nexus, some models of Xiaomi, etc)
- on Huawei
- on Xiaomi
- on Meizu
- third-party alternative apps (and the only option for Samsung Galaxy and OnePlus so far).
Stock Android
- Launch the Phone app:
- Tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right corner to access the Settings of the Phone app:
- Now select Blocked numbers:
- And here tell the Google phone app to block strangers by activating the Numbers not in contacts option:
Update 2020: Unfortunately, Google removed this option for some reason.
Update 2020: Unfortunately, Google removed this option for some reason. Block Calls from Strangers on Huawei Phones
EMUI 10 and EMUI 9
- Open the Phone / Contacts App.
- Tap the three-dot icon on the upper right.
- Select Blocked:
- Dive into Call block rules:
- If your phone is running EMUI 10, enable the Block Unknown numbers option:
Block calls from strangers on Huawei phones with EMUI 10.1 if your device has EMUI 9, enable the Block strangers option:
Block calls from non-contacts in EMUI 9.1
EMUI 8
In EMUI 8 steps are a bit different:
- Open the Phone app:
- Tap the three-dot icon and select Blocked:
- Tap on Block rules at the very bottom of the screen:
- Tap on Call block rules:
- And here you can finally activate the Block all strangers option:
Xiaomi
Sad News for MIUI 12 Users
Since MIUI 12 doesn’t have Xiaomi dialer app any more (now it comes with the Phone app by Google pre-installed), you can’t block calls from strangers, unless you install some third-party application. Only MIUI 12 ROMs for China have Xiaomi’s dialer app.
MIUI 11
- Launch the dialer.
- Tap the sandwich icon on the lower left:
- Select Settings:
- Here dive into Blocklist:
- Tap Call Blocklist:
- And finally enable the Block Calls from Strangers option:
Block calls from anybody who is not in your contacts (MIUI 11 and 10)
MIUI 9
- Open the Phone app:
- Tap on the hamburger (menu) icon on the bottom left:
- Now make sure you have the Blocklist enabled (toggle it on if not).
- Then head to Call blocklist:
- And here toggle on the option called Block calls from strangers:
Block Calls from Strangers on a Meizu Phone(Flyme 7 & 8)
- Open the Phone app:
- Tap on the three-dot icon on the upper right corner of your screen and select Settings:
- Select Blocklist:
- Tap the gear icon on the upper right:
- Select Call filtering:
- And finally toggle on the Block calls from strangers option:
Third-party Apps (Samsung Galaxy)
As you might know, neither Samsung Galaxy nor OnePlus devices don’t have the ability to block numbers of strangers in their built-in native dialers. For such unique phones and tablets the only option is to use a third-party call managing app. We can suggest the Call Blocker by Vlad Lee that can be easily found in the Google Play Store.
All you need to do is:
- Install the app.
- Launch it.
- Give it all required permissions.
- Go to the Blocking tab.
- Make sure the Blocking itself is toggled on.
- Activate the Unknown numbers (Block all numbers except contacts) option:
Once you’ve configured the app, all calls from strange numbers will be rejected.
Once you’ve configured the app, all calls from strange numbers will be rejected. According to user feedback as of May 2020, this app doesn’t cope with call filtering on OnePlus devices. We’d appreciate if you gave us your feedback concerning the issue in the comments.
What About Text Messages from Non-Contacts?
Very simple, but it is necessary to mention. If your phone has a feature to filter calls from strangers, it usually has the same options for text messages:
Some phones support blocking texts by keyword:
But here it is worth being more careful. The fact is that if you block text messages from unfamiliar senders, you run the risk of missing, say, a verification code from Google or another service and you will not be able to log in or confirm some important action. These are just a couple of examples. There are others.
Therefore, when it comes to text messages, it is best to block individual senders, and not filter out all SMS from unfamiliar numbers. As you might already know from another guide, if you blocked a specific phone number in your phone app, text messages will be also blocked.
Wrapping Up
Hopefully, now you know how to get rid of annoying calls from scammers, spammers, telemarketers and other unwanted strangers on your smartphone. If you have more information regarding the topic of blocking calls from non-contacts on Android, feel free to share it in the comments. Good luck!
Doesn’t work on Android 10. There is literally no way to block calls not in contacts which is a huge downgrade for Google. Gonna have to ditch this Pixel 3 for an iPhone.
Really bad news. First, I decided that you were wrong. But I took my Pixel in hands, open the Phone app and… you were right, they removed the option “Numbers not in Contacts” and other options except “Unknown” that (hopefully) is designed to block restricted numbers. That is disappointing.
P.S. I use iPhone with its DND mode, that is really capable to REJECT all callers except contacts or favorites instead of silencing.
Android 9 needs this blocking option. It only silences the calls from India and pakistani scammers and scumbag telemarketers. (Yes, if you are a telemarketer you ARE a scumbag, through and through.. Shame on you!) And DO NOT bother with the call blacker app from Vlad Lee. I looked it up.. “CONTAINS ADS!” “F” that! Why block one group of scumbags trying to get your money, only to be endlessly bombarded by another group of scumbags trying to get your money?
Better yet, get on whatever official android site, FB page, Feedback, Support, whatever, and DEMAND a native call and text BLOCKER, not just a call silencer.
Do the blocked calls go to voicemail or are they blocked when they come in?
then why ask for it?
This article NEEDS to be updated!
I have an android phone, JUST checked, there is NO “Numbers not in contacts option” at ALL to enable.
Have they REMOVED A USEFULL FEATURE?!
Is there ANY way to have this enabled so NO calls OR texts get threw that is NOT on your contacts lists?
Preferred via Android stock settings, but if there is aa 3rd party app is needed that is reliable/safe, I’ll install it!
If talk about the stock Android, some users may still have such feature if they stopped updating the Phone app on their Pixels (or maybe some other smartphones). But yes, Google removed this extremely useful feature for some reason in Android 10 release. I remember I used it happily during Android 10 beta in 2019. 🙁
Maybe, it is possible to download a certain Phone app version with this feature.
To block numbers not in address book on android phones has moved to main settings
Settings/sound/Do not disturb.
Should be self explanatory from there.
🙂
I can’t get the Signal messenger VoIP calls to play the ringtone when I have the DND on. Maybe cause it silences the notifications. Dang Android One…
Do not disturb only silences calls, it does not block them.
That’s why I choose iPhone. I need good call rejecting features without installing third-party apps.
The effect is the same, you don’t hear it so you don’t answer it.
The difference is huge. On Android your line is busy and battery drains faster.
Thank you that’s helpful
Is there anyway to call such persons who has blocked calls from strangers as it is a payment related issue. Admin please do reply.
If it was possible, there would be no point in the “Block calls from strangers” option.
However, in some cases you can reach the person who blocked you by calling them in third-party messengers (in case if the person uses such apps). So, if it is really related to important matters, you should be extremely kind and use text messages rather that voice call. The thing is that people often opt to block non-contact callers who try to reach them via voice calls in messengers.
So what you’re saying is you’re from a collection agency no one cares about you
Not a big surprise why Google and others have removed these features. Big money to be made by their advertisers and they don’t want a chance to miss out on a sale.
How about an option to send the call to voicemail rather than blocking? My personal phone is also my business phone so I need to be open to new clients.
Thanks, June Tindall for tunecomp.net
I bought a used 10+ as to be ready for 5 G and was astounded to find no way to stop incoming or restrict to contacts. As I’m 74, this is essential.
Contacted Samsung direct and they keep saying you can block numbers… how daft is that? I keep explaining that to block each number as it arrives is a royal PITA. First you have to reject the call, then you have to select the call in “recents”, then you have to click on “info” then you have to click on “block” and then it asks “do you really want to block?” what an asinine process Samsung and Google Android. I receive at least 3 or 4 suspected scam/fraud calls each day, sometime more, and Samsung expect customers to click umpteen times for each one? It has got to the stage where my Samsung device makes me sick to the gut every time it rings, I placed it on DND but that only means it is quiet, calls still get through and I end up missing family and other expected / wanted calls. Disgraceful IMO that Samsung and Google do nothing to help reduce fraud.
I suffered the same problem. Spammers kept on calling me, my battery was discharging and I was “busy” all the time because of those calls. And when I switched to an iPhone, I realized how the things should be.
The reason the option was removed is because Google gets kickbacks from some of these telemarketers. Duh. Follow the money. Which means, someone needs to write a TRUSTWORTHY 3rd party phone app (no BS and no backdoors) with the features that the people want. We don’t want to be forced to use the garbage from Google just because the telemarketers may payoffs to Google.