Block, report, or ignore someone

Users who don’t know you need to send an invitation to chat. To protect you, Hangouts filters spam invitations into a separate screen. If a spam invitation isn't filtered, or if you don't feel comfortable in a Hangout with someone, you can block them. When you block someone, they can see you’re online but can't send you Hangouts messages.

Tip: If you are contacted by strangers or spammers, choose who can contact you directly.

Block someone

  1. Open the Hangouts app .
  2. At the bottom, tap the Conversations tab .
  3. Open a Hangout conversation.
  4. At the top right, tap More More and then People.
  5. Select the person to block and then Block user.
  6. Tap Block.

Unblock someone

  1. Open the Hangouts app .
  2. At the top left, tap Menu Menu.
  3. Tap Settings and then Blocked people.
  4. Find the person you want to unblock. Tap their name.
  5. At the top right, tap More More and then People.
  6. Select the person you want to unblock.
  7. Tap Unblock user.

Things to keep in mind

  • All text messages, voicemails, and calls from a blocked phone number to your Google Voice number will be blocked in both Hangouts and Google Voice.
  • When you block someone in Hangouts, the person or phone number will also be blocked in other Google services, including Google Voice, Google+, Google Photos, and Google Chat in Gmail. Learn how to block someone using other Google services.
  • If you block someone in Google+ or Google Chat, or block a phone number in Google Voice, the person or phone number will also be blocked in Hangouts.
  • Unblocking the person or phone number in Hangouts will also unblock them in Google Voice, Google+, and Google Chat.

Individual conversation:

  • You can’t send or receive Hangouts  messages from the person. Your Hangout with the blocked person will be archived. Learn how to archive a Hangout.
  • Calls sent directly to your phone aren't blocked.
  • If you use Hangouts as your default text messaging app, text messages will be blocked. If you use another messaging app for your texts, text messages aren't blocked.

Group Hangouts conversation:

  • The person you blocked will remain in the conversation.
  • You'll get a notification that someone you've blocked is also in the Hangout and, if you choose to open the Hangout, you'll be able to see the person's messages.
  • Other people in the group won't be notified that you've blocked the person.
  • You won't be notified when the person sends new messages, but they will still be notified when you send new messages.
  • Everyone in the group will be able to view all messages sent and received.
  • The person you blocked will still be able to join other group conversations that you're in.

Video call:

  • To join a video call with someone that you’ve blocked, unblock the person first.
  • If someone you've blocked tries to join a video call you're in, they'll be notified that someone in the Hangout has blocked them and won’t be allowed to join.
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