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How to Block Spam Calls on Android or iPhone

Are you constantly bombarded with unwanted calls from telemarketers, scammers, or unknown numbers? It’s a frustrating experience that disrupts your day and potentially puts you at risk. Fortunately, both Android and iPhone offer several effective ways to block spam calls and reclaim your peace of mind. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the various methods, from using built-in features to leveraging the power of spam blocker apps. We’ll cover everything you need to know to identify, block, and report unwanted calls, ensuring a more secure and hassle-free mobile experience. Get ready to say goodbye to those annoying interruptions!

Why You Need to Block Spam Calls

Before diving into the how-to, let’s understand why blocking spam calls is crucial.

• Reduced Annoyance: The most obvious benefit is the reduction of annoying interruptions throughout your day. No more jarring rings for unwanted solicitations.
• Protection from Scams: Many spam calls are actually attempts to defraud you. Blocking these calls can prevent you from falling victim to scams. For example, a caller might impersonate a government agency or a bank to steal your personal information.
• Time Saving: Answering and dealing with spam calls wastes valuable time. Time that could be better spent on productive or enjoyable activities.
• Improved Mental Health: Constant spam calls can lead to stress and anxiety. Blocking them helps reduce these negative emotions and improve your overall well-being.
• Privacy Protection: Spam calls often collect and share your personal information. Blocking them can help protect your privacy and prevent your number from being further distributed.

Blocking Spam Calls on Android

Android offers a variety of methods for blocking spam calls, ranging from built-in features to third-party applications. Here’s a breakdown of the most effective options:

1. Using the Built-in Call Blocking Feature

Android has a built-in feature that allows you to block individual numbers directly from your call history.

1. Open the Phone app: Locate and open the Phone app on your Android device.
2. Go to Call History: Tap on the “Recents” or “Call History” tab.
3. Select the Number: Find the number you want to block.
4. Block the Number: Tap on the number, and then look for an option like “Block number” or “Block/report spam.” The exact wording may vary depending on your Android version and phone manufacturer. Confirm your decision to block the number.

Once a number is blocked, you will no longer receive calls or text messages from that number. They will go directly to voicemail (if you have it set up) and you won’t be notified.

2. Using the Android Call Screen Feature

Some Android devices, particularly Google Pixel phones, have a **Call Screen** feature. This feature allows the Google Assistant to answer calls from unknown numbers and ask the caller to identify themselves and their reason for calling.

1. Enable Call Screen: Open the Phone app, tap the three dots in the upper right corner, and select “Settings.” Find “Call Screen” (it might be under “Spam and Call Screen”) and enable it.
2. Configure Call Screen: Customize the settings to choose how aggressively Call Screen should filter calls. You can choose to automatically screen all unknown numbers or only screen suspected spam calls.
3. How it Works: When you receive a call from an unknown number, tap the “Screen call” button. Google Assistant will then answer the call and ask the caller for information. You will see a real-time transcript of the conversation and can choose to answer the call, hang up, or mark it as spam.

Call Screen provides an extra layer of protection by filtering out unwanted calls before they even reach you. It’s a proactive approach to spam call blocking.

3. Enabling Caller ID and Spam Protection

Android also offers a built-in caller ID and spam protection feature that can automatically identify and block suspected spam calls.

1. Open the Phone app: Open the Phone app on your Android device.
2. Go to Settings: Tap the three dots in the upper right corner and select “Settings.”
3. Enable Caller ID & Spam: Look for “Caller ID & Spam” or “Spam and Call Screen” and enable the feature.

With this feature enabled, your phone will use Google’s database to identify and warn you about potential spam calls. It may even automatically block certain numbers identified as high-risk.

4. Using a Spam Blocker App

If the built-in features aren’t enough, consider using a dedicated spam blocker app. These apps use extensive databases and algorithms to identify and block a wider range of spam calls. Several popular options are available on the Google Play Store, each with its own unique features and capabilities.

Popular Android Spam Blocker Apps:

• Truecaller: A highly popular spam blocker app that identifies unknown numbers and blocks spam calls automatically. It also allows you to manually block numbers and report spam calls to help improve its database.
• Hiya: Another well-regarded app that identifies unknown callers and blocks spam calls. It offers features like reverse phone lookup and call screening.
• Call Blacklist: A simple and effective app for blocking calls and SMS messages. It allows you to create custom blacklists and whitelists.
• Mr. Number: This app identifies and blocks spam calls and SMS messages, including those from private or unknown numbers. It also offers the ability to block calls from specific area codes.

When choosing a spam blocker app, consider factors such as the app’s database size, user reviews, privacy policy, and features. Read reviews carefully and compare different apps before making a decision. Also, be mindful of the permissions you grant to the app, as it will need access to your call logs and contacts to function properly.

Blocking Spam Calls on iPhone

iPhone users also have several options for blocking spam calls, including built-in features and third-party apps.

1. Using the Built-in Call Blocking Feature

Similar to Android, iPhone allows you to block individual numbers directly from your call history or contacts.

1. From Call History: Open the Phone app, tap “Recents,” find the number you want to block, tap the “i” icon next to the number, scroll down, and tap “Block this Caller.”
2. From Contacts: Open the Contacts app, select the contact you want to block, scroll down, and tap “Block this Caller.”

Blocked numbers will no longer be able to call or text you. Their calls will go straight to voicemail, and their messages will not be delivered.

2. Using Silence Unknown Callers

A helpful feature on iPhones is “Silence Unknown Callers.” When enabled, this feature sends calls from numbers that are not in your contacts to voicemail.

1. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Phone: Scroll down and tap “Phone.”
3. Enable Silence Unknown Callers: Scroll down and tap “Silence Unknown Callers” and toggle the switch to the “on” position.

With “Silence Unknown Callers” enabled, you’ll only receive notifications for calls from numbers in your contacts, numbers you’ve recently called, and numbers Siri suggests based on information in your Mail and Messages apps. This significantly reduces the number of spam calls that ring through to your phone. However, be aware that it might also silence legitimate calls from numbers not in your contacts, such as a doctor’s office or a delivery service.

3. Using a Spam Blocker App

Like Android, there are several spam blocker apps available for iPhone that can provide more comprehensive spam call protection.

Popular iPhone Spam Blocker Apps:

• Truecaller: (Also available for iPhone) Functions similarly to the Android version, identifying and blocking spam calls.
• Hiya: (Also available for iPhone) Offers similar spam blocking and caller ID features as the Android version.
• Nomorobo: A dedicated spam blocker app that intercepts robocalls and telemarketing calls before they reach your phone. It uses a database of known spam numbers to identify and block unwanted calls.
• Robo Shield: Another app designed to block robocalls. It uses a combination of crowd-sourced data and advanced algorithms to identify and block unwanted calls.

To use a spam blocker app on iPhone, you’ll need to enable it in your phone settings.

1. Install the App: Download and install the spam blocker app of your choice from the App Store.
2. Go to Settings: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
3. Tap Phone: Scroll down and tap “Phone.”
4. Tap Call Blocking & Identification: Tap “Call Blocking & Identification.”
5. Enable the App: Toggle the switch next to the app you installed to the “on” position.

Once enabled, the spam blocker app will work in the background to identify and block spam calls based on its database and settings.

Tips for Effectively Blocking Spam Calls

Here are some additional tips to maximize your efforts in blocking spam calls:

• Don’t Answer Unknown Numbers: If you don’t recognize the number, let it go to voicemail. If it’s a legitimate call, they’ll leave a message.
• Don’t Provide Personal Information: Never give out personal information over the phone to unknown callers, especially your Social Security number, credit card details, or bank account information.
• Report Spam Calls: Report spam calls to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Reporting spam calls helps the FTC track down and prosecute scammers.
• Register on the National Do Not Call Registry: While it won’t block all spam calls, registering your number on the National Do Not Call Registry can reduce the number of legitimate telemarketing calls you receive. Visit donotcall.gov to register.
• Be Wary of Call Spoofing: Scammers often use call spoofing to disguise their real numbers and make it appear as if they’re calling from a local number. Be cautious of calls from numbers that look familiar but are still unexpected.
• Regularly Update Your Spam Blocker App: Spam blocker apps rely on up-to-date databases to identify and block spam calls effectively. Make sure to regularly update your app to ensure it has the latest information.
• Consider a Call Filtering Service: Some mobile carriers offer call filtering services that can help identify and block spam calls. Check with your carrier to see if they offer such a service.

Conclusion

Blocking spam calls is an ongoing process that requires a combination of strategies and vigilance. By utilizing the built-in features of your Android or iPhone, employing a reliable spam blocker app, and following the tips outlined above, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted calls you receive and protect yourself from potential scams. Take control of your phone and reclaim your peace of mind. Don’t let those annoying spam calls disrupt your day any longer!

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