Samsung Galaxy S5: How to Enable and Customize Blocking Mode in Android 4.4.2 Kitkat

Blocking mode is a feature that can be found in the Samsung Galaxy S5. Enabling this feature allows you to block incoming calls and turn off notifications sounds during certain time period or until you turn this feature off. As the example, you can enable this feature while you're sleep at night or while you're in an important meeting so that you won't be disturbed with incoming calls (except those who are allowed to call you) or notifications sounds.


How to enable and customize blocking mode?
Since this feature is not enabled by default, then if you want to use it you have to enable it first. You can do so through the quick settings panel or the settings menu.

Method #1: From the quick settings panel
This method allows you quickly enable or disable blocking mode. But, it doesn't allow you to customize blocking mode options. Thus when you enable blocking mode using this method, the last configuration of the blocking mode will be used.

1. Swipe down the top of the screen using two fingers to open up the quick settings panel.
2. Depending on your current settings, tap Blocking mode button to enable or disable it. When the button turns green means the blocking mode feature is enabled and you'll see the blocking mode icon is displayed on the status bar.

Method #2: From the Settings menu
Though this method is little bit longer than the method #1, but it will allow you to customize all options in the blocking mode feature.

1. Swipe down the top of the screen to open up the notifications panel.
2. Tap the Settings icon to enter the Settings menu.
3. With the Settings menu is displayed in grid view, scroll down to the Personalization section and then tap Blocking mode .
4. Depending on your current settings, tap the ON/OFF switch located at the top right corner of the screen to enable or disable blocking mode. When the switch is on the right side or shows green means the blocking mode feature is enabled and you'll see the blocking mode icon is displayed on the status bar.
5. While blocking mode is enabled, you can customize all options under blocking mode, for instance enable or disable features(go to the step #6), set time of the blocking mode feature (go to the step #7), set allowed contacts (go to the step #8).
6. Enable or disable features.
In the Features section, you'll see three options available, they are:
• Block incoming calls: enable this option if you want to block all incoming calls (but you will still receive the notifications) except from those you're allowed to call you while blocking mode is enabled.
• Turn off notifications: enable this option if you want to turn off notifications sounds while blocking mode is enabled.
• Turn off alarm and timer: enable this option if you want to turn off alarm and timer notifications sounds while blocking mode is enabled.
7. Set time of the blocking mode.
   Always use blocking mode
   In the Set time section, tick the checkbox next to Always if you want blocking mode is always enabled unless you disable the blocking mode feature.
   Use blocking mode during certain period of time
   You can set blocking mode only enable during certain period of time by using the following steps:
• In the Set time section, clear the checkbox besides Always.
• Tap the time box next to From and then adjust the start time of the blocking mode and then tap Set button.
• Tap the time box next to To and then adjust the end time of the blocking mode and then tap Set button.
8. Set allowed contacts.
   The options under the Allowed contacts section will let you block all incoming calls or allow incoming calls according to your need.
Block all incoming calls:
• Tap Allowed contacts and then tap None.
• All incoming calls will be blocked while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow all incoming calls:
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select All.
• All incoming calls will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow incoming calls from your favourites contacts only
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select Favorites.
• All incoming calls from your favourites contacts will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow incoming calls from particular contacts groups only
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select Group.
• Tap + to add contacts groups into the list.
• Select the required contacts groups.
• Tap Done button.
• All incoming calls from the selected contacts groups will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.
Allow incoming calls from particular contacts only
• Tap Allowed contacts and then select Custom.
• Tap Allowed contact list.
• Tap + to add contact to the list.
• Select the required contacts.
• Tap Done button.
• All incoming calls from the selected contacts will be allowed while blocking mode is enabled.

Unfortunately, the turn off LED indicator option in the blocking mode menu is no longer available in the Samsung Galaxy S5 with Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. Therefore if you want to disable LED indicator, you have to disable it manually in the Display settings menu.