VBlocker is an Android app that wants to make it easier for users to gain peace and quiet by allowing them to block incoming calls and text messages on their devices. Users can create a blacklist from their contacts or add numbers manually to the blacklist. VBlocker is all about blocking spam callers, salesman, unsolicited insurance calls and so on. It can also be a way to get some peace from a breakup or from a fall out with friends and family without having to change your number. There’s no need to be rooted or mess around with your phone, VBlocker handles everything on its own and has almost 100,000 to prove it. So, let’s take a closer look at the app to see just what it can do.
First of all, users will need to download VBlocker from the Play Store, and once they launch the app they’ll be introduced to what it has to offer users.
One of the easiest ways for users to be introduced to what VBlocker is all about is to just watch the video. It’s included within the app, but readers can view it here, below:
Getting VBlocker set-up is not particularly difficult, all users need to do is add numbers to the Blacklist. There are a few options of how to do this, but the end result is the same; any number in this list will be blocked as an incoming call.
This allows users to add a number from wherever they want, which makes it nice and easy to add contacts or just numbers that you’ve had nuisance calls from and don’t want to get any more from. Once a number – or numbers – are added to the Blacklist, you’ll see them in the Blacklist view, and you can remove or edit these numbers here as well.
In practice, VBlocker does block calls, but as Android isn’t quite built to do this natively, there is a delay where the number will ring a little bit, and then stop ringing. Still, this is much better than having the number ring through continuously. While the call blocking element of the app is less than perfect, blocking SMS messages is frankly, a lot worse. This isn’t down to the fact that VBlocker doesn’t block incoming SMS messages, because it does, and does so very well, but because of this:
With VBlocker, users need to set it as the default SMS app, which means that it will then replace the default SMS app on your smartphone, or replace the one you downloaded from the Play Store. This wouldn’t be too bad if it didn’t look quite as bad and dated as this:
This is a really unattractive SMS app, and it’s a real shame because Google changed the rules back in Android 4.4 KitKat, but then again the developer of VBlocker should really update the look and feel of the SMS app. Even still, if the looks don’t bother you, then VBlocker will certainly block those nuisance SMS messages and you can even take a look at them should you wish to.
For those looking to make the most of the VBlocker app, the developer has put together a comprehensive how-to video on how to use the app, and this is something I wish more developers took the time to do.
Overall, I feel that VBlocker is an app that certainly delivers on its promise of blocking calls and SMS messages, but needs to improve upon how it goes about doing it. For one thing, the SMS app is really off-putting and it was a stark contrast to the standard Google Messenger app I use for SMS Having said that, it certainly did block incoming SMS messages, so if the look isn’t a problem for you, then this is something that will help get rid of pesky SMS messages no problem. Blocking incoming calls works well, and there’s little that gets in the way of carrying on just answering normal calls as you would everyday. This part of the app works really well, and it’s really simple to change and add more numbers to the Blacklist where possible. Still, the whole app feels a little dated in places, and could do with an update to a Material Design look and feel or something a little more high-resolution.
Ratings
- Speed (4/5) – VBlocker runs nice and quickly, and it’s fairly quick to get set-up, too.
- Theme (3.5/5) – The SMS side of things here really needs some work, but other parts of the app feel dated and low-resolution as well, which is a shame to be honest.
- Features (4/5) – Everything works pretty much as it says it does, and the premium packages are well-priced.
- Overall (4/5) – Despite the poor look and feel of the SMS app, VBlocker gets the job done and will help users get some peace of mind back y blocking out the nuisance callers and all the spam messages.
Pros
- Developer offers great support including some brilliant how-to videos on how to get the app set-up.
- Works well on the majority of devices, no matter their age or their speed, which means this is an app that everyone can use.
- Genuinely blocks calls from numbers that you specify in a Blacklist and leaves all the control up to the user.
- Blocks SMS messages, while also allowing users to see what these messages say just in case they made a mistake or they need to know some information.
Cons
- Application feels a little dated, it’s not very high-resolution and could do with some work overall.
- The SMS app doesn’t look very good at all, and while there are some skins for the app overall, the SMS app doesn’t look anything like other modern SMS apps people will be used to.
All-in-all, VBlocker is an Android app that gets the job done, and one that people should certainly look into if they need to get some peace and mind and drown out some unwanted noise. It’s perhaps not the best-looking app out there, but it delivers on its promise, and it’s not too expensive to remove ads and unlock even more features. Great for blocking calls as well as SMS messages, VBlocker is worth giving a try – it’s free to download.