Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Viber allows you to block unwanted contacts to prevent them from calling or messaging you
- Blocking a contact is easy and can be done from the chat screen, contact list, or settings menu
- Unblocking a contact is just as simple, giving you full control over who can interact with you on Viber
Viber is a popular messaging and voice over IP (VoIP) service used by millions worldwide. While it’s a great way to stay connected with friends and family, sometimes you may need to block a contact for various reasons. Perhaps an annoying spammer or someone you’d rather not interact with anymore. Fortunately, Viber provides an easy way to block and unblock contacts as needed.
Blocking a Contact on Viber
There are three main ways to block a contact on Viber across different platforms. Let’s go through each method step-by-step.
1. Block from the Chat Screen
One of the quickest ways to block someone is directly from your chat screen. Here’s how:
On Android:
- Open Viber and go to the “Chats” section
- Select the chat of the person you want to block
- Tap the vertical three-dot “Info” menu icon
- Select “Chat info”
- Tap “Block this contact”
On iOS:
- Open Viber and go to “Chats”
- Select the chat
- Tap the contact’s name at the top
- Select “Chat info”
- Tap “Block this contact”
2. Block from the Contact List
If you haven’t chatted with the person before, you can block them directly from your contact list:
- Open Viber and tap “Contacts” at the bottom
- Find and select the contact you want to block
- Tap the pencil icon in the top-right corner
- Select “Block this Contact”
- Tap “Block” on the confirmation popup
3. Block from Settings
You can also block contacts from Viber’s settings menu, even if they aren’t saved in your contacts.
On Android:
- Open Viber and tap the hamburger menu icon
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Block list”
- Tap the “+” icon in the top corner
- Search for the contact or enter their phone number
- Tap the number and then the purple tick to confirm
On iOS:
- Open Viber and tap the three-dot menu icon
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Block list”
- Select “Add number”
- Search for the contact or enter their number
- Tap “Done” to block the number
Once blocked, the contact will no longer be able to call or message you on Viber. They also won’t see your online status or be notified if you’ve read their messages.
Unblocking a Contact
If you’ve had a change of heart or blocked someone by mistake, unblocking them is just as straightforward. You can unblock from the chat screen, saved contacts, or the block list.
Unblock from the Chat Screen
- Open Viber and go to “Chats”
- Locate the chat of the blocked contact
- Tap “Unblock” on the banner inside the chat
Unblock from Saved Contacts
On Android:
- Open Viber and tap the “Compose” icon
- Tap the search icon and enter the contact’s name
- You’ll get a prompt to unblock before messaging
On iOS:
- Tap the “Compose” icon
- Enter the contact’s name
- Tap “Unblock” on the prompt
Unblock from the Block List
On Android:
- Open Viber and go to “More” > “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Block list”
- Find the contact and tap “Unblock”
On iOS:
- Go to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Block list”
- Tap “Unblock” next to the contact
And just like that, the unblocked contact will be able to call and message you again on Viber.
Tips for Managing Blocked Contacts
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when blocking or unblocking contacts on Viber:
Check if You’re Blocked
While Viber doesn’t explicitly notify you if someone blocks your number, there are signs to look out for:
- You can’t send them messages
- You don’t see their online status or “last seen” info
- Their profile picture doesn’t load
Use Blocking Wisely
Blocking should be used for contacts you genuinely don’t want to interact with. Don’t block people simply because they haven’t responded to your messages.
Manage Spam Effectively
If you’re getting spam messages from unknown numbers, block and report them to Viber. The app has robust spam detection systems to protect users.
Sync Blocked Contacts
When you block or unblock someone on one device, the changes will sync across all your Viber-connected devices.
Privacy Controls
Viber offers additional privacy controls like hiding your online status, disabling read receipts, and using disappearing messages for extra privacy.
By understanding how to properly block and unblock contacts, you can curate your Viber experience and interact only with the people you want to. Stay in control of your communications while taking advantage of Viber’s great features.
