In today’s hyper-connected world, our smartphones are indispensable communication and productivity tools. Unfortunately, this increased connectivity also brings unwanted and annoying spam calls. If you’re tired of constant interruptions from telemarketers and automated messages, it’s time to take control. In this guide, we’ll explore effective strategies to block spam calls on your phone and regain control over your communication experience.
What is a spam call?
A spam call is an unsolicited and unwanted telephone call, typically made for advertising, fraud, or other malicious activities. Spam calls often involve automated dialing systems or pre-recorded messages, and they can target many phone numbers indiscriminately. Spam calls can be annoying, disruptive, and potentially harmful. To combat them, many people use call-blocking apps, enable “Do Not Disturb” settings, and report spam calls to their phone carriers. Additionally, regulatory bodies and governments often implement measures to address the issue, such as creating “Do Not Call” registries and imposing penalties on organizations that violate anti-spam regulations.
How to block spam calls on Android phones
Follow the steps below to turn on or off the caller ID and spam protection feature.
- Open the Phone app on your device.
- Tap the More Options icon (three dots). Then tap Settings > Spam and Call Screen.
- Turn on or off Caller ID and spam protection. Then tap Block numbers > toggle on Block spam and scam calls.
Once you do this, you will only see the filtered calls in your Call History or Voicemail. They won’t appear as missed calls. If you’re wondering how to unblock spam calls on Android, slide the toggle off in the last step.
Mark individual calls as spam
Here’s how to block individual numbers by marking them as spam.
- Open the Phone app and select Recents.
- Tap the number you want to block, and select Info (I).
- Tap Report, then select the spam call type associated with the number. Tap OK.
- Tap Block on the info screen.
Block individual unknown callers
Here’s how to block an individual phone number on an iPhone:
- Go to the Phone app and find the number you want to block. You can usually find it in the Recents list, but it might also be in Contacts, Favorites, or Voicemail, depending on your contact history with the number. Tap the I icon next to the number.
- Scroll and tap Block this Caller.
- Tap Block Contact to confirm.
That’s how to block unknown calls one by one on your iPhone. You may also want to know how to block all unknown numbers on your iPhone, which you can do by filtering.
Block all unknown callers
If you’re getting a lot of spam calls every day, you can filter all calls from numbers you don’t know. This will help protect against phone spoofing, where numbers appear to be from real companies or sources, but in reality, they’re fake.
Here’s how to filter and block all unknown and private numbers on an iPhone:
- Go to Settings and scroll to Phone.
- Scroll and tap Silence Unknown Callers.
- Slide the toggle On (so that the green part is showing).
Now, only numbers in your Contacts can call you, as well as numbers that you’ve previously engaged with. Your iPhone will also allow numbers that appear in your text messages app or WhatsApp. That helps ensure legitimate numbers get through while weeding out unknown numbers. You can still see all attempted calls in your Recents lists.
Conclusion:
With the right combination of built-in features, third-party apps, and proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the impact of spam calls on your daily life. Take control of your phone and reclaim your peace of mind by implementing the strategies outlined in this guide. By staying vigilant and utilizing available tools, you can enjoy a more seamless and secure communication experience on your smartphone.