Block, report, or ignore someone

Important: If you use Google Chat and not classic Hangouts, visit block and report someone.

People who don’t know you need to send an invitation to send messages. To protect you, classic Hangouts filters spam invitations from your regular view. 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 tell if you’re online but can't send you classic Hangouts messages.

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

Block someone

Important: If you use Google Chat and not classic Hangouts, visit block and report 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 options   People.
5. Select the person to block Block user.
6. Tap Block.

Unblock someone

Important: If you use Google Chat and not classic Hangouts, visit block and report someone.

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

Things to keep in mind

Individual conversations:

• You can’t send or receive classic Hangouts messages from a person you blocked. Your Hangout with the blocked person is archived. Learn how to archive a Hangout.
• Calls sent directly to your phone aren't blocked.

Group Hangouts conversations:

• The person you blocked stays in the conversation.
• You get a notification that someone you blocked is also in the Hangout. If you choose to open the Hangout, you get the blocked person's messages.
• Other people in the group won't be notified that you blocked the person.
• You aren't notified when the person sends new messages, but they’re notified when you send new messages.
• Everyone in the group can access all sent and received messages.
• The person you blocked can join other group conversations you're in.

Video calls:

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

Important: When you block someone on classic Hangouts, they can’t message you in Hangouts but they can still join Google Meet calls you organize or join through the Hangouts app. Users blocked on classic Hangouts aren’t blocked on Google Meet.