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How to Use Blocking Mode on the Samsung Galaxy S5

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Samsung includes a Do Not Disturb mode for the Galaxy S5, but you might have trouble finding it under the real name. The Galaxy S5 Do Not Disturb mode is actually called Blocking Mode, because it blocks calls and notifications and Apple already owns Do Not Disturb on smart phones.

If you need to make sure the Galaxy S5 does not ring when you are in a meeting, on a date or sleeping, you need to learn how to use Blocking Mode on the Galaxy S5. There are many options to help you customize the Galaxy S5 blocking mode feature, and if you use it at night you won’t need to worry about alarms or emergency calls sounding as long as you set it up right.

Read: 50 Galaxy S5 Tips & Tricks

With the nice Android notification system that is in use, you can go back in after the meeting or after a good night of sleep and check all of the notifications without missing anything.

Turning on Blocking Mode on the Galaxy S5 takes just a second, but you’ll want to spend about five minutes to configure the schedule, callers that can get through and other settings.

Learn how to use Blocking Mode on the Galaxy S5.

Learn how to use Blocking Mode on the Galaxy S5.

Read on to learn how to use Do Not Disturb on the Galaxy S5 thanks to the built-in Blocking Mode option. This is slightly different from the Galaxy S4 or Galaxy Note 3, but overall users can expect a similar option.

How to Use Galaxy S5 Blocking Mode

The short video below covers the main details of how to use Blocking Mode on the Galaxy S5 to turn off alerts and notifications while you are sleeping, in meetings or just need a break. The process is simple and offers manual and automatic controls for customization.

The first thing you’ll need to do is go to the Settings screen and scroll down until you see Blocking Mode. If you prefer you can go to the shortcuts in the notification drawer and tap and hold on the Blocking Mode icon. Both of these will open up the settings for this feature.

On the main screen you can turn the Galaxy S5 Blocking Mode on or off in the upper right. Go ahead and turn it on to start the setup process. When it is on you will see a small circle with a dash icon in the status bar to let you know that Blocking Mode is on.

Here is how to set up Blocking Mode on the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Here is how to set up Blocking Mode on the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Under Features you can choose what types of alerts and sounds are blocked with this Do Not Disturb style feature. For most users, Block incoming calls and Turn off notifications are the best options to check. If you are using the Galaxy S5 as an alarm clock do not check the box to Turn off alarm and time.

The next area allows you to choose when the Galaxy S5 Blocking Mode is on. You can turn it on to always if you plan to control it manually, or you can set a schedule. There is no way to make a different schedule for weekdays and the weekend or to automatically change it based on your calendar, but you can pick a time to start and a time to stop Blocking Mode.

Double check your Blocking Mode settings on the Galaxy S5.

Double check your Blocking Mode settings on the Galaxy S5.

In the final area of Blocking Mode options you can allow specific contacts through even when Blocking Mode is on. You can block all, allow all contacts to call through (basically blocking unknown callers) or you can choose the favorites or a custom contact list. If you choose Favorites anyone in your contact list with a star at the top can call through. With a custom list you can add to the list at the bottom of the Do Not Disturb page.

With all of these setting sin place you are ready to customize your Do Not Disturb aka Block Mode setup and enjoy a night of sleep or a meeting that isn’t uninterrupted by unwanted calls. There is not an option to let repeat calls come through, so make sure you add family or emergency work contacts to a list.

After you set up Blocking Mode on the Galaxy S5 it is a good idea to test your schedule and settings as the icon will show even when the schedule is on but blocking is off. When a call is blocked it will still ring and the caller will not know they are being blocked. The display may show the call, but it will not make noise.

This solution is not designed for blocking a repeat caller that you do not want to talk to. To do that you will need to add the number to your contacts, click on the three dots in the upper right and then add the contact to the reject list.

7 Comments

7 Comments

  1. Lisa

    05/05/2014 at 7:31 pm

    Well initially I thought that it is like turning on flight mode on device. But it seems good as it has option of “Allowed Contacts” that means the contacts which I want to receive the call will put under this option. Well, thanks for sharing as after fully charging it on qi charger , I will definitely do experiment with this feature before sleeping.

  2. Charlie Hill

    05/07/2014 at 12:04 am

    Galaxy S5 attracts many new user with new function like waterproofing, it’s interesting ! but they also should take a look at the widely concerned problems of power shortage, some people began to buy External Backup Battery Cover from Amazon like this : WIWOFIT 3500mAh External Rechargeable Backup Battery Cover Power Bank Charger Case with USB and Kick Stand for Samsung Galaxy S5

  3. Misty

    08/17/2014 at 3:14 pm

    I am a previous Apple 5 owner. Apple allows you to block a call without getting any notifications. I wish Samsung would allow you to do the same. When I block someone I do not want to receive a text message or see that the person has called. There should be various options within the blocking section. Hopefully as this phone evolves, this option might be added.

  4. Rose

    06/20/2015 at 8:40 pm

    I do not have a Blocking Mode on my S5

  5. GaryK

    06/21/2015 at 5:14 am

    I had blocking on my S5 until a new update, Lollipop I believe it was. Now it is difficult to find. Try this link https://www.greenbot.com/article/2854634/master-notifications-in-android-lollipop-with-notification-priority-and-downtime.html
    You have to go into “settings” and then “Sound and notification” and then “interruptions”. Select what notifications you want to sound – then select the days and then select the time frame. I have to get up early so I set mine to not be interrupted between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am. You can also specify priority interruptions so if you want an alert from certain family member(s) you will still be alerted but other texts or phone calls will not notify you. A little more complicated than it was when I first got my S5

    • Jackie Jax Wade

      08/31/2015 at 8:24 pm

      I have “do not disturb” where blocking was. Lollipoop is the worst.

  6. kristine

    11/26/2015 at 2:54 pm

    I haven’t found a way to make sure the blocked calls don’t go to my voice mail. Is it a feature? The call blocker works but mostly, if I don’t want a call, I don’t want that call to go to voice mail either. I’d rather it just show on the “missed call” log.

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