Can I restrict calls on Facebook Messenger?

Facebook Messenger allows users to make voice and video calls to connect with friends and family. However, you may want to restrict calls from certain people or at certain times. Fortunately, Facebook Messenger provides options to control who can call you and when.

Restricting calls from specific people

You can stop receiving calls from specific people on Messenger in a few ways:

• Block users – This prevents blocked users from seeing your profile information or contacting you on Messenger. They will not be able to call you.
• Unfriend or unfollow users – Unfriending stops them from seeing your posts, while unfollowing just stops their posts from appearing in your News Feed. Either option will block calls.
• Leave group chats or events – Exiting a group chat or event you have in common will remove you from the contact list and block calls.

Here are the steps to block a user on desktop:

1. Click on the profile picture of the person you want to block in a message thread.
2. Select Block from the drop-down menu.
3. Confirm by clicking Block again.

On mobile:

1. Go to the chat with the person you want to block.
2. Tap on their name at the top of the chat thread.
3. Scroll down and tap Block.

To unfriend or unfollow someone:

1. Go to their Facebook profile page.
2. Hover over Friends below their cover photo.
3. Select Unfriend or Unfollow.

Leaving a group is simple – just tap the Leave Group option from the group’s page. The exact steps vary slightly by device.

Restricting calls at certain times

You may want to limit calls during certain periods, like at night or during work hours. There are a few ways to do this:

• Enable Quiet Mode – This stops all notifications from popping up. Toggle it on from Settings & Privacy > Quiet Mode.
• Mute notifications – You can mute thread notifications for a set duration (Always, 8 Hours, 1 Week, etc).
• Use Do Not Disturb on your device – This blocks notifications based on a schedule. You can Allow Calls From your Favorites if you choose.

Here are the steps to mute thread notifications on desktop:

1. Open the chat thread you want to mute.
2. Click on the name of the person or group at the top.
3. Select Mute notifications and choose a duration.

And on mobile:

1. Open the chat thread.
2. Tap and hold on the name at the top.
3. Tap Mute [time period].

Default Messenger notification settings

Messenger has default notification settings that you can adjust to restrict calls:

• Calls – Toggle calls to Off to disable call notifications
• Repeat alerts – Choose only 1 alert to limit notifications
• Sounds – Mute to avoid sound alerts
• Notifications – Disable Show in Notification Center to hide notifications

You can find these options in Settings & Privacy > Notifications on desktop and mobile. Tweak as desired to reduce call notifications.

Using auto-reply to stop calls

You can set up auto-reply messages in Messenger to inform people that you are not available to take calls:

1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Automatic Replies.
2. Toggle on Use Automatic Replies.
3. Set the time period it should be active for.
4. Write your custom message, like “I’m not available to answer calls right now.”

When enabled, people who call will immediately get an automated message with your reply. Make sure it clearly states your unavailability to avoid calls.

Using Messenger Kids to control calls

Messenger Kids is a safer messaging app experience controlled by parents. It allows limiting contact to only approved friends and family.

As the parent, you can:

• Prevent kids from receiving calls from unapproved contacts
• Limit call times during school, bedtime, etc.
• Configure who kids can call and who can call them

Messenger Kids provides a solid option to restrict and monitor your child’s calls based on customized parental controls.

Using third-party apps to block calls

On iPhone and Android devices, third-party apps can help block calls and notifications from specific contacts or during scheduled times.

Some top-rated call blocking apps include:

App	Platform	Key Features
Truecaller	Android, iOS	– Block calls and texts from unwanted contacts – Create blacklists – Schedule when blocking is active
Mr. Number	Android, iOS	– Block calls and texts from unwanted numbers – Reverse lookup unknown callers – Report spam numbers
WhosCall	Android, iOS	– Identify and block spam calls – Block calls by keyword or phrase – Schedule call blocking hours

These apps can integrate with your contacts and messaging apps like Messenger to block calls and notifications based on granular custom settings.

Using Android apps for more blocking options

Android devices allow installing apps that offer enhanced call blocking functionality at the system level.

Some top Android call blocking apps include:

• Should I Answer? – Blocks calls and texts from suspected spam numbers.
• Call Control – Features advanced whitelisting, blacklisting, and call screening.
• Calls Blacklist – Blocks calls based on wildcards for extra flexibility.

These apps can block calls before they even ring your device. However, they require more permissions and device access compared to standard call blocking apps.

Using Focus Mode on Android

Android’s Focus Mode allows you to pause distracting apps when you need to focus. This can restrict Messenger calls:

1. Open Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls.
2. Tap Focus Mode.
3. Select which apps to pause.
4. Set a schedule for Focus Mode to automatically turn on and off.

With Messenger paused, all calls and notifications will be muted during Focus Mode. It creates timed blocks against distractions.

Using Downtime on iOS

iOS has a similar feature called Downtime that can restrict Messenger calls:

1. Go to Settings > Screen Time.
2. Tap Downtime.
3. Set a schedule for Downtime.
4. Under Allowed Apps, choose which apps can bypass Downtime.

Messenger calls will be blocked while Downtime is active unless you allow Messenger to bypass it. This lets you create scheduled call restrictions.

Using Scheduled Quiet Hours on Portal

On Portal video devices, you can use Quiet Hours to block calls during specific times:

1. Say “Hey Portal, open settings.”
2. Select Quiet Hours.
3. Choose when to set Quiet Hours or select Always in Quiet Hours.

With Quiet Hours on, Portal will not ring for incoming calls during the scheduled times. You can customize the schedule based on when you do not want to be disturbed.

Conclusion

Facebook Messenger provides customizable notification settings to restrict calls from specific people or at certain times. You can block users, leave group threads, enable Quiet Mode, mute notifications, and use auto-reply messages.

Third-party apps offer advanced call blocking and identification features for mobile devices. Options like Focus Mode and Downtime can schedule restrictions by pausing distracting apps like Messenger.

With the right settings and tools, you can take control over unwanted calls on Messenger and ensure you only get notifications from approved contacts during allowed times.