Samsung Galaxy S4: How to Enable, Disable and Configure Blocking mode in Android 4.4 Kitkat

There are some conditions where you don't want disturbed by incoming calls or notifications unless those are really important or urgent. Luckily, Samsung Galaxy SIV has provided a feature called Blocking mode which will allow you to block notifications from certain feature during a specified period of time.


How to enable, disable and configure Blocking mode in Android 4.4 Kitkat?
Generally, there are two methods available that you can use to do so. You can see them all below.

Method #1: From the Notification panel
This method allows you to enable or disable Blocking mode feature quickly, but it doesn't allow you to configure options under this feature so the latest configuration will be used.

1. Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers to open the notification panel.
2. Tap Blocking mode button to enable or disable this option. When the button shows green means the option is enabled and you'll see the Blocking mode icon is displayed on the status bar.

Method #2: From the Settings menu
This method may slightly longer than the method #1, but it will allow you to configure options under Blocking mode feature. Here are the steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap My device tab.
3. Tap the ON/OFF switch next to Blocking mode to enable or disable Blocking mode. When the switch is on the right side or shows green means the option is turned on and you'll see the Blocking mode icon is displayed on the status bar.
4. While the Blocking mode is turned on, tap Blocking mode option to configure some options available under this feature. They are divided in three sections. To configure options under Features section go to the step #5, to configure options under Set time section go to the step #6, while to configure options under Allowed contacts go to the step #7.
5. Configure options under Features section.
   In this section you can block or unblock notifications from the following features:
• Block incoming calls: when you enable this option, incoming calls will be blocked except those come from contacts on your allowed list.
• Disable notifications: when you enable this option, notifications for new message will be disabled.
• Disable alarm and timer: When you enable this option, notifications for alarms and timers will be disabled.
• Turn off LED indicator: When you enable this option, the LED indicator won't light when you receive notifications, even when the screen is off.
6. Configure options under Set time section.
   In this section you can set a time period for Blocking mode. Here you can see two option available, they are:
• To block notifications at all times, tick the box next to Always option.
• To block notifications in a specific time period, first you need to disable Always option and then set a starting time(From) and ending time(To) by tapping the time field to adjust the time.
7. Configure options under Allowed contacts section.
   In this section, you can choose contacts you want to allow while Blocking mode feature is enabled. Here you can see two option available, they are:
• Allowed contacts: when you tap this option, you'll see some options available and then select the desired option you wish to use, they are 1) None option to block all notifications from any contacts, 2) All contacts option to allow notifications from any contacts, 3) Favorites option to allow notification from contacts marked as favorites, 4) Custom option to allow notification from contacts listed in the Allowed contact list.
• Allowed contact list: If you've chosen Custom option in the Allowed contact, then you can use this option to modify the list of allowed contacts(add or remove contacts from the list)

If you're like me, I usually use this feature to block incoming calls and notifications at night so I can sleep tight without having annoyed by unimportant incoming calls or notification except those come from contacts in my Allowed contact list. So, how about you? Have you ever use this feature?