Huawei P9: Block Calls & Texts Easily

To block calls and texts on a Huawei P9, you use the built-in Phone and Messaging apps’ blocklist features, or the dedicated Blocklist app that EMUI includes. You can block specific numbers, unknown numbers, and even private or hidden numbers directly from the call log, contacts, or message thread, and the settings are straightforward once you know where to look.

Where the Blocking Tools Live

Huawei’s EMUI (the software layer on the P9) puts call and message blocking in a few different places, which can be confusing if you are used to stock Android. The main tools are:

• Phone app > Blocklist: Open the dialer, tap the three-dot menu (usually top-right), and select Blocklist. This shows all blocked numbers and lets you add new ones.
• Messaging app > Blocklist: Open the Messages app, tap the menu, and find Blocklist there. It is separate from the call blocklist, so a number blocked for calls is not automatically blocked for texts.
• Blocklist app: Some P9 builds have a standalone app simply called Blocklist (or Blocked). It combines both call and message blocking in one place.

If you do not see a Blocklist option in the Phone app, check the Blocklist app in your app drawer, or go to Settings > Advanced settings > Blocklist (the path varies slightly by EMUI version).

How to Block a Number from a Call or Text

The quickest way to block a number is directly from the call log or message thread:

1. From a call: Open the Phone app, go to Recents (call log), tap the number you want to block, then tap Details. Scroll down and tap Block. Confirm when prompted.
2. From a message: Open the Messaging app, open the conversation from the number you want to block, tap the three-dot menu in the top-right, and select Block. The number is added to the message blocklist.
3. From Contacts: If the number is saved, open the contact, tap the three-dot menu, and choose Block contact. This blocks both calls and texts from that contact.

After blocking, the number will not ring your phone, and you will not receive its text messages. The caller may hear a busy tone or a message that the number is unavailable (carrier-dependent), and blocked texts are silently discarded.

Blocking Unknown, Private, and Hidden Numbers

The P9 also lets you block entire categories of callers, which is useful if you are plagued by spam or unknown numbers.

• Block unknown numbers: In the Phone app’s Blocklist settings, look for an option like Block unknown or Block all unknown numbers. This blocks any call that does not have a caller ID.
• Block private/hidden numbers: Similar to unknown, you can block numbers that show as Private or Withheld. This is a separate toggle in some EMUI versions.
• Block international calls: Some builds allow blocking calls from other countries, which can cut down on spam.

These category blocks are usually found in the same Blocklist menu, often under a Block rules or Call blocking submenu. Note that blocking unknown numbers can also block legitimate calls from businesses or doctors that use masked numbers, so use it with caution.

What Happens to Blocked Calls and Texts?

When you block a number on the P9, the behavior is different from simply ignoring a call. The phone does not ring, and you get no notification. The blocked caller is not told they are blocked; they just hear a busy tone or a standard “number unavailable” message, depending on your carrier.

Blocked text messages are not delivered to your inbox. They are deleted automatically, and you will not see them anywhere. There is no “blocked messages” folder on the P9 by default. If you later unblock the number, you will not receive the messages that were sent while blocked.

One important detail: blocking a number on the P9 does not prevent the caller from leaving a voicemail. If your carrier offers voicemail, a blocked caller can still leave a message, and you will see a missed-call notification for a voicemail. To avoid this, you may need to contact your carrier for a more aggressive block, or use a third-party call blocker that also handles voicemail.

How to Unblock a Number

If you change your mind, unblocking is just as easy:

1. Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and select Blocklist (or open the Blocklist app).
2. You will see a list of blocked numbers. Tap the number you want to unblock.
3. Select Unblock or Delete from the options. Confirm if asked.

If the number was blocked from the Messaging app, you need to unblock it from the Messaging app’s blocklist, not the Phone app’s. The two lists are separate. To unblock a contact, go to Contacts, open the contact, and tap the three-dot menu; the Block contact option will now say Unblock contact.

Common Problems and Solutions

Users often run into a few issues when blocking on the P9:

• Blocked number still calls: If you blocked a number but still get calls, check that you blocked it in the Phone app, not just in Messages. Also, make sure you did not accidentally block a similar number (e.g., +1 vs 1).
• Blocked texts still arrive: This happens if the number is only on the call blocklist. You must block it in the Messaging app as well, or use the Block contact option which covers both.
• Cannot find the Blocklist menu: On some EMUI versions, the Blocklist is under Settings > Advanced settings > Blocklist, not in the Phone app. Try searching for “Blocklist” in the Settings search bar.
• Blocking unknown numbers does not work: Some carriers do not pass the “unknown” flag correctly, so the phone cannot identify them as unknown. In that case, you may need to block specific numbers manually or use a third-party app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does blocking a number on the P9 also block texts?
Only if you block the contact (which blocks both) or block the number in both the Phone and Messaging blocklists. Blocking in the Phone app alone does not stop texts.

Can I block a number that is not in my contacts?
Yes. You can block any number from the call log or message thread, even if it is not saved. You can also manually add a number to the blocklist by tapping “Add” in the Blocklist menu.

Will the blocked person know they are blocked?
They will not get a specific “you are blocked” message. They will hear a busy tone or a generic “number unavailable” message. Some carriers may send a text that the call could not be delivered, but that is rare.

What if I accidentally block a number?
Unblock it from the same Blocklist menu where you added it. If you blocked a contact, unblock the contact. You will not get back any calls or texts that were missed during the block period.

Does the P9 have a do-not-disturb mode that is different from blocking?
Yes. Do Not Disturb (DND) silences calls and notifications during set times or when the screen is off, but it does not block them; they still appear in your call log and messages. Blocking is permanent until you unblock.

Can I block a number from sending me texts but still receive calls?
Yes. Block the number only in the Messaging app’s blocklist. That will stop texts but allow calls. To do this, open the message thread, tap the menu, and choose “Block” – this only affects texts.

Alternatives to the Built-in Blocking

If the built-in blocking is not enough, you have a few options:

• Carrier-level blocking: Many carriers offer call blocking for specific numbers or for all unknown calls. This works at the network level, so blocked calls never reach your phone. Contact your carrier to see what is available.
• Third-party apps: Apps like Truecaller or Mr. Number (on the Play Store) can block spam and unknown numbers using community databases. They often have more aggressive filtering options. Note that these apps may require access to your call logs and contacts.
• Do Not Disturb: If you want to silence calls without blocking them, use the built-in Do Not Disturb mode. You can allow calls from contacts or favorites and silence the rest.

Remember that the P9 runs Android, so you can also use Android’s built-in blocking features if they are available in your version. The steps above are specific to Huawei’s EMUI, which is the default interface on the P9.

Related

• Office Tab Feature Demo: What It Does
• How to Merge Two iTunes Libraries
• Document an Endangered Language with Community Consent