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How to Block Someone in Google Voice: Silence the Noise, Reclaim Your Peace

So, you’ve reached the point where that persistent caller or texter has crossed the line. You want to silence them – permanently. The good news is, blocking someone in Google Voice is a straightforward process. Essentially, you have two options: block a phone number associated with Google Voice or block a specific Google Voice user. Let’s dive into how to accomplish both, ensuring you regain control over your communication and reduce unwanted disturbances.

Here’s the direct answer:

To block a number in Google Voice:

Open Google Voice: Access Google Voice either through your web browser (voice.google.com) or the Google Voice app on your Android or iOS device.
Select the Conversation: Locate the conversation thread with the number you want to block.
Access Options:
- On the Web: Hover over the conversation. Click the three vertical dots (More options) in the conversation preview. Then, click Block number.
- On the App: Tap the conversation thread to open it. Then tap the three vertical dots (More options) at the top right corner. Select Block number.
Confirm Blocking: A confirmation window will appear. Confirm your decision by clicking or tapping Block.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully blocked the number. Blocked contacts can no longer call or text your Google Voice number.

Diving Deeper: Blocking Google Voice Users

While blocking a specific phone number is common, sometimes you need to block an entire Google Voice account. This is useful when someone is creating multiple numbers to contact you, or you simply want to sever all communication with a particular Google Voice user. The process is similar.

Blocking a Specific Google Voice User

The core principle is the same. You locate a conversation or contact associated with the user, access the options, and choose to block them.

Here’s how:

Open Google Voice: Access Google Voice through your browser or the app.
Find the Contact or Conversation: Locate a past conversation or find the contact information of the Google Voice user you wish to block. If you don’t have a conversation, you can create a contact in your Google Contacts linked to Google Voice.
Access Options:
- On the Web: Open a conversation with them or go to the “Contacts” section, select the contact, click the three vertical dots (More options), and then Block number. Note that this process will block all Google Voice numbers associated with that contact.
- On the App: Open a conversation with them, tap the three vertical dots (More options), and then tap Block number. Again, blocking the number associated with the contact essentially blocks them.
Confirm Blocking: Confirm the action when prompted.

Important Note: Blocking a Google Voice user technically blocks the phone number associated with their Google Voice account. If they create a new Google Voice number, you’ll need to block that new number separately. However, blocking the contact in your Google Contacts makes it easier to identify and block any future numbers they might use.

Understanding the Implications of Blocking

Before you start blocking everyone in sight, let’s quickly review what happens when you block a number. Blocked contacts will no longer be able to:

Call you: Their calls will go straight to voicemail (if you have voicemail enabled).
Text you: Their text messages will not be delivered to your Google Voice inbox.

However, it’s crucial to remember:

They won’t know they’re blocked: The caller will likely just hear ringing or be diverted to voicemail. The texter won’t receive a delivery failure notice; their messages will simply appear to be sent.
It only applies to Google Voice: If the person uses a different phone number (not associated with Google Voice), you’ll need to block that number separately in your phone’s native call blocking settings.
Blocking doesn’t prevent all communication: While it blocks calls and texts, it doesn’t prevent them from contacting you through other means like email or social media.
Unblocking is easy: You can always unblock a number if you change your mind.

Troubleshooting Common Blocking Issues

Sometimes, the blocking process doesn’t go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

The “Block Number” Option is Missing: This usually means you’re not viewing a Google Voice number. Double-check that the contact is actually using a Google Voice number. You might be looking at a contact solely stored in your Google Contacts without an associated Google Voice connection.
Blocked Numbers Are Still Getting Through: This is rare but can happen due to technical glitches. Try unblocking the number and then blocking it again. Also, ensure you’re blocking the correct number (sometimes people use different numbers for calls and texts).
Synchronization Issues: Sometimes, blocking changes take a little time to synchronize across all your devices. Give it a few minutes and restart the Google Voice app or refresh the web page.

FAQs: Your Google Voice Blocking Questions Answered

Let’s address some common questions to further clarify the blocking process and related aspects of Google Voice.

FAQ 1: How do I unblock a number in Google Voice?

Unblocking is just as simple as blocking. Open Google Voice, go to Settings > Blocked Numbers, locate the number you want to unblock, and click the “X” or “Unblock” button next to it. The number will be immediately removed from your blocked list.

FAQ 2: Will the person I blocked know that I blocked them?

No, Google Voice does not notify blocked contacts. The person will not receive any indication that they have been blocked. Calls will likely go to voicemail (if enabled), and texts will simply appear to be sent without a delivery confirmation.

FAQ 3: If I block someone in Google Voice, does it block them on my regular phone number?

No, blocking in Google Voice only affects your Google Voice number. It does not block the number on your mobile phone’s native call/text features. You’ll need to block the number separately in your phone’s settings if you want to prevent them from contacting you via your regular mobile number.

FAQ 4: Can I block a number without adding it as a contact?

Yes, you can block a number directly from a conversation thread without adding it as a contact. Simply open the conversation, access the options (three dots), and select “Block number.”

FAQ 5: If I change my Google Voice number, will the blocked numbers still be blocked?

Yes, your blocked list is tied to your Google account, not your specific Google Voice number. When you change your number, the blocked list will remain intact.

FAQ 6: How many numbers can I block in Google Voice?

There is no published limit to the number of contacts you can block in Google Voice. However, blocking an excessive amount of numbers can be indicative of spam or other issues, and Google might flag your account for review if they detect unusual activity.

FAQ 7: Does blocking someone in Google Voice block them from my Google account?

No, blocking in Google Voice only prevents communication through your Google Voice number. It does not affect their ability to interact with you through other Google services like Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Photos (unless you separately block them on those platforms).

FAQ 8: If I block someone, can they still leave me a voicemail?

Yes, unless you disable voicemail. Blocked calls will typically go straight to your Google Voice voicemail if you have voicemail enabled. To prevent them from leaving voicemails, you would need to disable your voicemail feature entirely.

FAQ 9: Can I see a list of all the numbers I’ve blocked?

Yes, you can easily view your blocked list. Go to Google Voice Settings > Blocked Numbers. This page displays all the numbers you’ve currently blocked.

FAQ 10: What happens if I block a legitimate contact by accident?

Simply unblock the number. Go to Google Voice Settings > Blocked Numbers, find the number you accidentally blocked, and unblock it. They will then be able to call and text you again.

FAQ 11: Can I block all unknown callers in Google Voice?

Google Voice doesn’t offer a direct “block all unknown callers” feature. However, you can set up call screening, which requires unknown callers to state their name before the call is connected. This can deter unwanted calls. You can also manually block individual unknown numbers as they call.

FAQ 12: Is there a way to report spam callers in Google Voice?

While Google Voice doesn’t have a dedicated “report as spam” button, you can block the number, which helps reduce spam. You can also forward suspicious texts to your mobile carrier by sending them to 7726 (SPAM). This helps carriers identify and block spam campaigns.