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Blocking mode

I see that Verizon has decided to exclude the popular Samsung feature known as "Blocking Mode" from their version of the Galaxy S4. While I can't possibly imagine what they stand to gain by doing this, it wouldn't bother me in the slightest as I like my phone to ring any time someone wants to reach me.

Notice my use of the word "wouldn't" as opposed to "doesn't". Allow me to explain. It "wouldn't" bother me that Verizon did not include an option to turn Blocking Mode on and off on my phone if Blocking Mode was not already active on my device. Without access to that option I have no way to turn it off.

My phone will not ring after 10 and I have no control over this. I can adjust the sound after it switches over, but this is not a solution. It fixes it for that night, and the next night I have to do the same thing. I should not have to tell my phone every night that I want it to work the way it is supposed to.

So how do I block the blocking mode that Verizon blocked?

Comments

japetty

If it has been less than 14 days since your purchase of the phone you could take it back and get another new one but after the 14 days you would end up getting a refurbished phone.

SuperSamGalaxy

Thanks, that's a good thought, but I happen to be in that "I can't wait" crowd who got it the first day.

QuintK

I wasn't aware my phone did this! I will have to have someone call me after 10 to check that out for myself. That Verizon chose to remove blocking mode, that is foolish and worth complaint (it's a useful feature which helps compete with iPhone, and there's no competing Verizon service that I'm aware of).

BUT if you're right that the phone fails to ring at certain times of night, it's failing to perform the core function of a cell phone, and it is a serious bug. Requests to fix it would not just be petty grousing. It may even be dangerous (some people rely on cell phones to be reached during emergencies).

SuperSamGalaxy

I don't think this is happening to everyone, but it seemed to be that way on my device. I did a factory reset and it does not do it any more, but I agree, that is not the kind of bug that should be allowed to work it's way into a finished product.

Verizon_Support

Hi SuperSamGalaxy,

Congrats on your Samsung S4! This is an awesome device. The S4 currently does not support Blocking Mode. This may be something supported in a future update. As for your ringtone, is your volume turned all the way up? I would also recommend pulling the battery out and reinserting it. Let us know how it goes.

Bobby_VZW

Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

xcarte

That statement is not completely true, the S4 DOES currently support blocking mode. However for some reason Verizon's version of the S4 does not. Can you please expound on WHY Verizon chose not to support this very useful tool. Thanks in advance

richs1000@gmail.com

Blocking Mode was on both my Droid Charge and my VZW S3. It's also on the AT&T and Sprint S4's.

I get to think about this every time I get a g-mail at 3 AM.

Most advanced phone ever, but no blocking mode.....'splain it to me, Lucy.

Alao

S4 DOES support blocking Mode. Air Gesture is also removed.

>>Edited to comply with the <<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

MyS4issues

what sucks is that this is one of the features that sold me on the phone. I didn't want an Iphone which offers the feature as a standard. I use my phone for work and at a certain time of day I would like to block all of the unwanted work calls and actually relax but still have use of my phone. That way I can get calls from my kids and friends but not from work related people. I hope they decide to include it in one of their updates. You can download an app but they all suck.

Ann154

Does Settings > My device > Call > Call Restriction work for blocking mode?

MyS4issues

No it doesn't. This will block all calls. If you choose to restrict incoming calls. With the blocking mode you can choose to allow selcted contacts or numbers to come through. Like if your kids or your spouse is out in the evening but you don't want to get calls or text or emails from anyone else. As far as restricting all calls you can just turn your phone off and get the same results and then you won't have to remember to turn it back off later. With the blocking mode you can set it to work from a given time to a given time. Then it will disable itself automatically. Verizon has really screwed us on this move.

MyS4issues

I called Samsung's customer service to see if there was anyway for them to turn it back on. They didn't know why Verizon had removed it. But they have completely deleted it from the O.S. software. There is no way to reactivate it. Unless Verizon adds it to one of their updates. I would appreciate it if Verizon would do so since we paid for a complete package when we purchased this state of the art phone.

reji59

So who at Verizon really reads or listens to these discussions? There really is no reason for Verizon to remove the Blocking Mode feature from the S4. I have the feature on my 8.0 Note and it's nice to silence notifications during sleeping hours. I have friends with S4's from other providers and their S4 has the Blocking Mode feature.

Klue

Only customer service representatives from VZW respond to question placed here. They, however can do nothing about missing features on the phone. If anyone from VZW corporate reads this is anyone's quess. Your best bet at getting their attention is contacting VZW corporate public relations directly. If anyone nows that e-mail address then please post it so it can get used.

Ann154

Klue wrote:
Only customer service representatives from VZW respond to question placed here. They, however can do nothing about missing features on the phone. If anyone from VZW corporate reads this is anyone's quess. Your best bet at getting their attention is contacting VZW corporate public relations directly. If anyone nows that e-mail address then please post it so it can get used.

The media contacts are publicly available. http://news.verizonwireless.com/contacts/index.html

quepasa

I currently have a Galaxy s3 and I too am very upset with Verizon for making this feature non-accessible. It turned on randomly and I couldn't get any notifications. The feature is a nice idea, so I will download a 3rd party app to do this for me, however I couldn't turn it off, thanks to Verizon. I searched and searched. The option to access the Blocking Mode by way of shortcuts to the preference is disabled, also thanks to Verizon's amazing developers... (i hope you can sense my sarcasm). I finally found a fix. It only permits a toggle for this option, but you can download a better 3rd party app to for blocking purposes.

1. Download NFC Task Launcher from the Play Store

2. Add new Task with NFC as the trigger

3. Click the "+" at the top of the next screen

4. Scroll down until you see "Samsung." Select it.

5. Check "Blocking Mode" and hit next.

6. Configure the action to Disable or Toggle (depending on your needs) and add task.

7. Hit the arrow at the top of the next screen and complete the next screen by selecting the check mark.

8. Select the options button on the tag you just created and select run.

Voila! Blocking mode is off. If you liked the features of Blocking Mode, just download 3rd party apps. There are some excellent ones out.

Hope this solves your problem, if you have an S3. Cheers!

Kidnike

Did they change this in an update? I have a Verizon Galaxy S4 and I have blocking mode as an option as well as all of the configuration for it. I have not tested it to see if it works, but the features all seem to be there.

Dave-in-Decatur

Yes, this was part of the update that included Android 4.3 earlier this month.

Ann154

Dave-in-Decatur wrote:
Yes, this was part of the update that included Android 4.3 earlier this month.

I think it might have also been in an earlier update, but the phone had to be factory reset in order for some users to access it. The 4.3 update cleared that "bug".

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