How to block someone on Telegram

Since its launch on iOS and Android platforms in 2013, Telegram has grown from 100 to 55.2 million daily active users in 2021The app's focus is on providing ad-free messaging and privacy to its users. Telegram users can send messages and make voice or video calls to their phone contacts, or find friends using their usernames.

The nature of Telegram makes it easy for unknown individuals to send messages to other users simply by knowing their username or phone number. However, these individuals can be blocked. Users can also block known contacts if they no longer wish to communicate with them using the steps below.

How to block a contact on your phone

If you block a contact on Telegram, they won't be able to message you, call you, or send you media. However, using this method requires the individual to be on your contact list. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Launch the Telegram app on your mobile device.

Step 2: At the bottom left of the app, tap Contacts to show your contact list.

Step 3: Scroll through the contact list and select the contact you want to block.

Step 4: Click on the contact's name to launch the chat window.

Note: If the contact is in your Telegram Chat list, you don't need to go to the contacts list. Simply tap it in the Chats list on the home page.

Step 5: At the top of the chat window, click the contact's profile picture.

Note: Some contacts may not have a profile picture. Instead, you'll see the contact's initials.

Step 6: In the new window, click the vertical ellipsis, which indicates more.

Step 7: Select Block User from the list of displayed options.

Step 8: In the pop-up window asking you to confirm the blocking process, click Block User.

How to unblock a contact on Telegram

If you change your mind about blocking a Telegram contact, you can still unblock them using the steps below:

Step 1: Launch the Telegram app on your mobile device.

Step 2: At the bottom left of the app, tap Contacts to show your contact list.

Step 3: Scroll through the contact list and select the contact you want to unblock.

Step 4: Click on the contact's name to launch the chat window.

Step 5: Tap Unblock User from the bottom of the chat screen.

How to block unknown users on Telegram

If the user you want to block isn't part of your contact list, they may have found you using your username. You can still block them through your privacy settings. Here's how it works.

Step 1: Launch the Telegram app on your mobile device.

Step 2: At the bottom right of the app, click Settings.

Step 3: Go to the options under the Settings menu and click on Privacy and Security.

Step 4: Click on Blocked Users in the next window.

Step 5: The next window will show you a list of blocked users, if you have any. It will also show you a button at the top labeled "Block User." Click this button to launch the chat page.

Step 6: Scroll through the chats and select the user you want to block by tapping on it.

How to unblock unknown users on Telegram

Unblocking an unknown user on Telegram is easy and can be done through the privacy settings. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Launch the Telegram app on your mobile device.

Step 2: At the bottom right of the app, click Settings.

Step 3: Go to the options under the Settings menu and click on Privacy and Security.

Step 4: Click on Blocked Users in the next window.

Step 5: The next window will show you a list of blocked users. Select the username.

Step 6: In the new window, select Unblock.

Personalize the user experience on the phone

The methods for blocking and unblocking unknown contacts and users on Telegram work on Android and iOS devices. Aside from allowing users to control who can contact them on the app, Telegram also allows users to customize their user experience.