Samsung Galaxy J5: Block Calls & Texts

To block calls and texts on a Samsung Galaxy J5, you can add a number to the auto-reject list in the Phone app, or block individual contacts directly from the call log or message thread. The phone also allows you to block unknown or private numbers with a single toggle in the call settings.

Why You Need to Block Numbers

The Galaxy J5, released in 2015 and updated through Android 7.0, is still used as a backup phone or a first smartphone for many people. Unwanted calls and spam texts are a daily annoyance, and on older devices the built-in call and message blocking features are less obvious than on newer models. Knowing exactly where to tap saves you from downloading third-party apps that may drain the battery or ask for unnecessary permissions. The J5’s native blocking works at the network level for calls (the caller hears a busy tone) and filters texts silently into a blocked messages folder, so you don’t get notifications.

How Blocking Works on the Galaxy J5

The J5 has two separate blocking systems: one for calls and one for messages. Call blocking uses the “Auto reject” feature, which is part of the Phone app’s settings. When a number is on the auto-reject list, the phone never rings and the caller is disconnected automatically. Text blocking works through the Messages app’s spam settings; blocked numbers’ texts are moved to a “Blocked messages” folder, and you do not receive a notification. These two systems are independent, so blocking a number for calls does not automatically block its texts, and vice versa. You must add a number to both lists if you want complete silence from that sender.

Step-by-Step: Block Calls

There are two ways to block calls on the J5, depending on whether the number is already in your call log or contacts.

Method 1: From the Call Log (Quickest)

1. Open the Phone app (the green icon with a phone handset).
2. Tap the Recents tab at the top to see your call history.
3. Find the number you want to block, and tap on it to open the details.
4. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
5. Select Add to auto-reject list.

Method 2: From Settings (For Future or Unknown Numbers)

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap Call blocking (or “Call rejection” on some versions).
5. Tap Auto reject list.
6. Tap the + icon to add a number manually.
7. Enter the full number, including the country code (e.g., +1 for US numbers).
8. Tap Save.

To block all unknown or private numbers, go to Phone → Settings → Call blocking and toggle on Block unknown/private numbers. This will reject any call that does not display a caller ID.

Step-by-Step: Block Texts

Text blocking on the J5 is done through the Messages app, and it works for both SMS and MMS.

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Open the conversation from the number you want to block.
3. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
4. Select Block number (or “Add to spam numbers” on some versions).
5. Confirm by tapping Block.

If you don’t have a conversation with the number, you can go to Messages → Settings → Spam and blocking → Blocked numbers, then tap the + icon to add the number manually. Note that on the J5, blocked texts are not deleted; they are stored in a separate folder. To view them, go to Messages → Settings → Spam and blocking → Blocked messages.

How to Unblock a Number

If you change your mind, unblocking is just as simple.

• Calls: Go to Phone → Settings → Call blocking → Auto reject list, tap the number, then tap Delete (or the trash icon).
• Texts: Go to Messages → Settings → Spam and blocking → Blocked numbers, tap the number, then tap Unblock.

Common Problems and Solutions

Users often report that blocking a number from the call log does not stop texts, or that a blocked number still shows up in notifications. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them.

• Blocked number still calls: Make sure the number is in the auto-reject list, not just in your contacts as a “rejected” entry. Also check that you haven’t accidentally toggled off “Auto reject” in the call settings.
• Blocked texts still arrive: On the J5, blocking a number for calls does not automatically block texts. You must separately add the number to the blocked list in the Messages app.
• Can’t find the “Block number” option in Messages: Some versions of the Messages app label it as “Add to spam numbers.” It does the same thing.
• Blocked messages folder is full: The J5 stores blocked messages indefinitely, which can consume storage. Periodically delete them from Messages → Settings → Spam and blocking → Blocked messages.
• Blocking unknown numbers doesn’t work: If you have “Block unknown/private numbers” enabled, but still receive calls from numbers that show “Unknown,” your carrier may be sending them as “Restricted” rather than “Unknown.” In that case, you’ll need to add the specific number to the auto-reject list.

Alternatives to Built-in Blocking

If the built-in blocking is not enough, you have a few options. Many carriers offer network-level call blocking through their apps or websites, which can stop spam calls before they reach your phone. Third-party apps like Truecaller or Hiya provide community-based spam detection and can block numbers that are not in your list. On the J5, these apps work well but may run in the background and use extra battery. For texts, you can also use the “Spam and blocking” settings in the Messages app to filter messages containing certain keywords, though this is less precise than blocking a specific number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the blocked caller know they are blocked?

No. When you block a call on the J5, the caller hears a normal busy tone or a single ring, and the call is disconnected. They will not receive a message saying they are blocked. For texts, the message is silently moved to the blocked folder, and the sender does not get a delivery report.

Can I block a number that is not in my contacts?

Yes. You can add any number to the auto-reject list or blocked numbers list manually, even if it is not in your contacts. You can also block a number from the call log without saving it as a contact.

Does blocking a number also block it in WhatsApp or other apps?

No. Blocking on the J5 only affects regular phone calls and SMS/MMS. If you want to block someone on WhatsApp, you need to do that within the WhatsApp app itself.

Will blocked texts still use my data or count toward my message limit?

Blocked texts are still delivered to your phone by your carrier, so they may count toward your message limit if you have a limited plan. However, they are not shown in your main inbox and you do not get a notification. If you are concerned about data usage, you can contact your carrier to see if they offer network-level blocking.

How do I block a number that keeps changing (spoofed)?

If a spammer uses a different number each time, the built-in blocking won’t help. You can enable “Block unknown/private numbers” to catch most spoofed calls, but some will still get through. For persistent spam, consider using a third-party call blocker that uses a community database.

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