How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone and Android
Spam calls are more than just a nuisance. They waste your time and can lead to scams that cost you money. Fortunately, both iPhone and Android devices offer built-in tools to help you filter and block unwanted calls. Here is a complete guide to reducing spam calls on your phone.
Blocking Spam Calls on iPhone
Silence Unknown Callers
Apple introduced the Silence Unknown Callers feature in iOS 13. When enabled, calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent calls, or Siri suggestions are automatically silenced and sent to voicemail. To enable this feature, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and toggle it on.
Block and Report Individual Numbers
To block a specific number on iPhone, open the Phone app, tap the info icon next to the number, scroll down, and select Block this Caller. You can also report numbers as junk directly from the recent calls list in newer iOS versions.
Blocking Spam Calls on Android
Built-in Caller ID and Spam Protection
Most Android phones running the Google Phone app have built-in spam detection. To enable it, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Caller ID and Spam, and turn on See caller and spam ID and Filter spam calls. Detected spam calls will be automatically blocked or flagged with a warning.
Samsung Smart Call
Samsung devices include Smart Call, which uses a database of known spam numbers to warn you about suspicious incoming calls. Enable it through Phone app > Settings > Caller ID and Spam Protection.
Carrier-Level Spam Blocking
Major carriers offer their own spam call protection services:
- T-Mobile Scam Shield: Free service that includes scam ID, scam block, and caller ID features. Enable it through the Scam Shield app or by dialing #662#.
- AT&T ActiveArmor: Free app that provides automatic fraud call blocking, spam risk warnings, and nuisance call alerts.
- Verizon Call Filter: Free tier includes spam detection and a spam filter. The premium tier adds caller ID for unknown numbers and a personal block list.
- Vodafone Callsafe: Available in the UK, this free feature identifies and blocks nuisance calls on your behalf.
Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
For additional protection, consider installing a dedicated call-blocking app:
- Truecaller: One of the most popular spam identification apps with a massive community-sourced database of spam numbers. Available for both iPhone and Android.
- Hiya: Offers real-time caller ID, spam detection, and automatic call blocking. The free version covers basic spam protection.
- RoboKiller: Uses AI-powered answer bots that waste the time of spam callers. Also provides robust call and text blocking features.
Look Up Numbers on WhoCalledMe.io
In addition to blocking spam calls, you can search any suspicious number on WhoCalledMe.io to see what other people have reported about it. Our free reverse phone lookup covers numbers from multiple countries, helping you decide whether a call is legitimate or spam before you pick up.