Spam calls and unwanted texts are a constant annoyance. Luckily, the Samsung Galaxy A26 5G has several ways to block them right out of the box. You can stop specific numbers, filter unknown callers, and turn on spam protection without downloading anything extra.
Block a Number Right From the Call Log
Open the Phone app and tap the Recents tab to see your call history. Find the number you want to block, then tap and hold it until a menu pops up. Select Block number or Block/report as spam to confirm your choice, and that number is done bothering you.
Block Unwanted Texts
Open the Messages app and go to the conversation from the sender you want to silence. Tap the three-dot menu in the top corner and choose Block number. You won't see any new messages from them appear in your inbox after that.
Blocking From Your Contacts List
Maybe you have a contact saved but no longer want to hear from them. Open the Contacts app, tap their name, and hit the three-dot menu. Select Block contact, and it will block calls and texts from every number linked to that person.
Manage Your Blocked List in One Place
You can view and edit your entire blocked list in one spot. Go to Phone app > Menu > Settings > Block numbers. Tap the minus sign next to any number to unblock it, or manually enter a new number to add it to the list.
Turn On Spam Protection for Extra Safety
Head to Phone app > Menu > Settings > Caller ID and spam protection and toggle the switch on. This uses Samsung's Smart Call feature and databases from Hiya to flag suspected spam callers. You can also turn on Block spam and scam calls in the same menu to automatically reject numbers flagged as spam.
Silence All Unknown Numbers
If you're tired of random numbers calling you, your Galaxy A26 5G can silence them automatically. Go to Phone app > Settings > Block numbers and toggle on Block unknown calls. Calls from numbers not saved in your contacts will be silenced, though they can still leave a voicemail.
What Actually Happens When You Block a Number?
The person you block usually hears a busy tone or gets sent straight to voicemail, depending on your carrier. Their text messages are silently dropped and never reach your phone. You also won't see missed calls from blocked numbers in your call log, which keeps things clean.
Forward Spam to Your Carrier
Your carrier can help filter spam at the network level if you report it to them. Try forwarding a suspicious spam text to 7726 (it spells SPAM). This works on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and most other US carriers, and you'll get a confirmation message back after you do it.
Try a Dedicated Call Blocker App
If spam calls still get through too often, a dedicated app can catch the rest. Truecaller and Hiya both maintain huge databases of known spam numbers. You can find them on the Play Store or Galaxy Store, and they'll handle a lot of the filtering for you automatically.