LG V10: How to Block Calls & Texts

To block calls and texts on an LG V10, you use the built-in blocking features in the Phone and Messaging apps, or you can enable Do Not Disturb mode. This guide walks you through each method, explains how to manage your blocked numbers list, and covers common issues you might run into.

Blocking Calls in the Phone App

The LG V10’s Phone app lets you block specific numbers directly from your call log or contacts. Here’s how:

1. Open the Phone app (the icon with a phone handset).
2. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Call settings (or Call depending on your software version).
4. Scroll down and tap Call blocking (sometimes labeled Block list).
5. Tap the + icon to add a number. You can type it manually or choose from your contacts or call log.

Once a number is on this list, incoming calls from it are automatically declined and sent to voicemail (if voicemail is set up). The caller hears a busy tone or a message that you are unavailable, and you won’t get a notification.

Blocking Texts in the Messaging App

Text blocking works similarly but is separate from call blocking. To block a number from sending you SMS or MMS:

1. Open the Messaging app (the green bubble with a white envelope).
2. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings.
4. Tap Block messages (or Spam & block on some versions).
5. Tap Block list and then the + icon to add a number.

After adding a number here, texts from it are silently ignored. They won’t appear in your main inbox, and you won’t get a notification. Note that blocking a number for calls does not automatically block texts—you must add it in both places if you want to stop both.

Using Do Not Disturb Mode

If you want to block all calls and texts except from certain contacts (or only allow calls from favorites), use Do Not Disturb (DND). This is useful for nighttime, meetings, or when you need focus.

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification shade.
2. Tap the Do Not Disturb icon (a circle with a line through it, or a moon icon). If you don’t see it, swipe left on the quick settings row to find it, or tap the pencil/edit icon to add it.
3. Tap and hold the icon to open its settings.
4. Choose Priority only or Alarms only.
5. Under Priority only, you can allow calls and messages from Starred contacts (contacts you’ve marked as favorites) or from All contacts.

DND blocks all other calls and texts, but you can set exceptions for repeat callers (if someone calls twice within 15 minutes, it can let the second call through) and for alarms.

Managing Your Blocked Numbers List

To review or remove a number you’ve blocked, go back to the same settings screens:

• Calls: Phone app → ⋮ → Call settings → Call blocking → Block list.
• Texts: Messaging app → ⋮ → Settings → Block messages → Block list.

From there, you can tap the X next to a number to unblock it. Unblocking is immediate—the person can call or text you again right away.

Blocking Unknown or Private Numbers

The LG V10 doesn’t have a built-in “block all unknown callers” toggle like some newer phones, but you can achieve a similar effect by using Do Not Disturb with the “Allow calls from” set to All contacts (or Starred contacts). This will send calls from numbers not in your contacts to voicemail. For texts, you can’t block unknown senders directly, but you can use a third-party app (like a spam filter) if you get a lot of unwanted messages.

What Happens When a Number Is Blocked?

When a call is blocked, the caller hears a single ring or a busy tone, and the call is sent to voicemail. You won’t see any missed-call notification, but the call may appear in your call log as “Blocked” or “Declined” (depending on your carrier). For texts, the message is silently discarded—the sender doesn’t get a delivery failure, so they might think you’re just not reading it. Blocking is one-way: you won’t receive anything, but the blocked person can still leave a voicemail (which you won’t be notified about, but it will be in your voicemail box).

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are a few issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

• Blocked calls still ring: Make sure you’ve added the number to the call block list, not just the text block list. Also, check that Do Not Disturb isn’t set to “Alarms only” if you want to allow some calls.
• Blocked texts still show up: This can happen if the sender uses a different number or if the block list wasn’t saved. Try removing and re-adding the number. Also, some carriers don’t support blocking MMS (picture messages) from blocked numbers—you may still receive them.
• Can’t find the block settings: The menu names may vary slightly depending on your Android version and carrier. Look for “Call blocking” under the Phone app’s settings, or search for “block” in the Settings app.
• Blocked number leaves voicemail: If you want to avoid that, you can set your voicemail to not accept messages from blocked numbers (carrier-dependent). Or, you can simply delete the voicemail without listening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I block a number that’s not in my contacts?
Yes, you can type any number manually into the block list, even if it’s not saved in your contacts.

Q: Will the person know I blocked them?
Not directly. They’ll just get a busy tone or no answer, and their texts will appear to be sent but never answered. They might suspect, but they won’t get a message saying “you are blocked.”

Q: Can I block all calls from unknown numbers?
Not with the built-in feature, but you can use Do Not Disturb with “Allow calls from: All contacts” to send unknown numbers to voicemail. For texts, you’ll need a third-party app.

Q: Does blocking a number also block it on other apps like WhatsApp?
No, the block list only applies to the Phone and Messaging apps. You’ll need to block the number separately in each app you want to block it in.

Q: How do I unblock a number?
Go to the block list in the Phone or Messaging app and tap the X next to the number. The block is removed immediately.

Q: Will blocked calls show up in my call log?
Sometimes they appear as “Blocked” or “Declined” in your call log, but you won’t get a notification. If you don’t want them to appear at all, you can clear your call log after.

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