Lorene Melone
How To Block Unwanted Unknown Number Messages and Video Calls on WhatsApp
If you’re tired of getting hit up by random numbers on WhatsApp, you’re not alone. Sometimes those messages or video calls from someone you don’t know just mess with your flow. Here’s what’s worked for some folks when it comes to blocking ‘em, or at least making them less annoying. Keep in mind, WhatsApp isn’t perfect, and on some setups, these steps might need a little fiddling or a reboot after, but hey, worth a shot.
Step 1: Access WhatsApp Settings
First thing, open up the WhatsApp app on your Android device (or iPhone, but these instructions lean mostly Android-style). You’ll need to navigate to the settings menu:
- Tap on the three-dot icon in the top right corner of the main screen.
- Select Settings from the dropdown menu.
Step 2: Tweak Privacy Settings for Calls and Messages
This is where it gets a bit more technical. To cut down on unknown contacts reaching you, you’ll want to adjust some privacy options:
- Within Settings, tap on Privacy.
- Scroll to find and tap on Calls.
- Look for the toggle or option called Silence Unknown Callers. Turn this on. It won’t block calls from unknown numbers, but it mutes them, so they don’t ring or pop up—and on some phones, it might even block them from ringing at all.
Reasoning? Because of course, WhatsApp has to make it harder than necessary. Sometimes, this feature isn’t 100% perfect, especially if your WhatsApp or phone version is a bit outdated. Expect a bit of trial and error here.
Step 3: Block Unknown Contacts Manually
This one’s the most direct, but it relies on you noticing the unknown number first. When you get a message or a missed call from a random number, do this:
- Open the chat with that number.
- Tap the three-dot icon in the top right —on Android, it’s usually in the corner of the chat window.
- Tap More, then select Block.
- A prompt might appear giving you an option to report spam—if you want, check that box to help out the team. If not, just tap Block again.
Note: On some setups, blocking might not immediately prevent all future messages—sometimes, if the number is persistent, you might need to redo the process or restart your device.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If you’re still getting spam or weird messages, here’s what else to try:
- Periodically double-check your Blocked Contacts list under Privacy and unblock anyone you accidentally blocked.
- If spam keeps coming from the same numbers, report them directly through WhatsApp; this helps improve the spam filters.
- Be cautious: scrolling through unknown profiles and texts is always a gamble—sometimes they’re legit, sometimes just spam or scammers.
Conclusion
Honestly, these steps won’t make WhatsApp bulletproof, but they’ll definitely help reduce the unwanted noise from strangers. And if things get really bad, sometimes changing your number or setting stricter privacy controls is the only way. Just keep an eye on those settings, and don’t forget to restart the app after changes if it’s behaving weird.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo a block on a contact?
Yeah, you can unblock them in your blocked contacts list—just find their name and tap unblock. Easy enough.
Will blocking a contact delete our previous messages?
Nope. The chat history stays intact. You just won’t get new messages or calls from that number anymore.
Can I block unknown numbers from calling me?
Definitely. Enabling Silence Unknown Callers does exactly that—muting calls from numbers not in your contacts. Not perfect, but it’s a start.
Summary
- Turn on Silence Unknown Callers in Privacy > Calls.
- Manually block numbers when they pop up.
- Review your blocked list now and then.
- Report spam to WhatsApp if possible.
- Be cautious with unknown profiles—sometimes it’s just better to ignore or block.
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Or at least makes the app slightly less annoying to deal with.