How to Block Incoming Calls but Get Notifications

Sometimes, you may want peace of mind without completely missing out on important calls. Fortunately, most smartphones allow you to block or silence calls while still getting notifications about who tried to reach you. Here are some effective methods.

Method 1 — Using Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode

1. Open Settings on your phone.

2. Go to Sound & Notifications or Do Not Disturb (name may vary by phone model).

3. Turn on Do Not Disturb.

4. Customize settings so calls are silenced, but missed call notifications still appear.

This ensures you won’t be disturbed, but you’ll see notifications of all missed calls.

Method 2 — Using Call Barring or Call Rejection Apps

1. Some phones allow call barring or call rejection lists in the dialer app.

2. Calls will be blocked automatically.

3. You’ll still receive a notification showing the number that tried to reach you.

Alternatively, third-party apps like Truecaller or Call Blocker can block calls and keep logs of all missed attempts.

Method 3 — Divert Calls to Voicemail

1. Go to your Phone app settings.

2. Select Call Forwarding.

3. Divert all incoming calls to voicemail.

4. Notifications will show you the missed calls and voicemail messages.

Method 4 — Using Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi Calling Apps

1. Turn on Airplane Mode (this blocks normal calls).

2. Connect to Wi-Fi and use messaging apps like WhatsApp for communication.

3. Any missed calls on your normal line will still show as notifications once you switch back to mobile network.

FAQs

Q: Will callers know that I blocked their calls?
Most of the time, they’ll just hear that your number is unreachable or busy.

Q: Can I block calls but allow specific contacts?
Yes, Do Not Disturb mode allows you to whitelist contacts who can still reach you.

Q: Do I need third-party apps for this?
Not always—modern Android and iOS phones have built-in options. Apps are useful if you need extra control.

Q: Can I block calls but still get SMS?
Yes, blocking calls does not affect SMS. You will continue receiving text messages normally.

Q: Will I still see who called me if I block them?
Yes, missed call notifications or call logs will still show the number.

Conclusion

You can block incoming calls and still get notifications by using features like Do Not Disturb, call rejection, or voicemail forwarding. These options help you stay focused while ensuring you don’t miss important information about who tried to reach you.