Are spam calls just as annoying as trying to figure out how to stop spammers from dialing your number? Spammers love to pester and scam people. The great news is that you can stop these frustrating spam calls on Android for free, though there are some premium options available, too.
Tip: learn how to find hidden apps on your Android phone.
The easiest way to stop spam calls on Android is by using the built-in spam filter. Each phone and carrier’s process works a little differently, but the spam filter should be part of your default phone dialer app. The following steps are for a Google phone with the built-in Phone by Google app. You can also download this app for your Android device. If you’d like your Android device to look more like a Google Pixel, use this guide.
Depending on your phone model and carrier, you may not see any of these options and only have an app from your carrier to help you with filtering scam calls, such as:
Tip: getting a “No SIM card detected error” on your Android? Learn what to do about it.
If you’re lucky and only get the occasional spam call on Android, you may find it simpler to just block a specific number. Once again, the process will vary slightly based on your phone model and carrier. Two of the most common ways to block a number manually include:
If you want to learn how to unblock numbers and what happens when you block numbers, check out our guide to blocking numbers on Android and iPhone.
Obviously, this only blocks a single number. Spammers often change numbers regularly to prevent you from blocking them permanently.
If you’re using a Google phone, you can also block all numbers except your contact list. This option isn’t available on all non-Google phones that use the Phone by Google app.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) created a national Do Not Call registry to tackle the problem of spam and robocalls. When you add your number to the list, companies are supposed to respect your wish not to be contacted.
Of course, spammers who are out to scam you couldn’t care less about this list. But if you’re getting a lot of calls from legitimate businesses, it’s a good option. Plus, it’s a free way to block spam calls on Android.
Visit the National Do Not Call Registry site, then fill in the required information. You’re all set!
Good to know: does your phone have a broken screen? Don’t worry, you can still access its contents by following our tips.
Spam-blocking apps give you a little more control and personalization. As with most third-party apps, though, there’s a chance they’ll collect at least some data. Still, choosing a reputable option is pretty safe and may stop you from throwing your phone the next time a spammer calls.
Truecaller is one of the most popular apps to block spam on your Android phone. It’s also available for iOS. One thing users love is the transparency of the data is collected and how it’s used. The privacy policy is a well-laid-out part of the setup process.
The free version lets you know if a call/message is possibly spam. You can block numbers as much as you want. For premium features, such as a voice assistant to answer calls for you, improved spam blocking, and no ads, you’ll need to upgrade. This ranges from $9.99 to $99.99/year.
Calls Blacklist is another call-blocking app for calls and messages. Not only does it help prevent unknown and private number spam, but you’re also able to manually block individual numbers. If you want to just get calls from your contacts, you can limit calls to just those numbers.
The free version does have ads. With the premium version, which is just $1.99, you get scheduling, no ads, and even password protection.
Robokiller is a unique spam-blocking app for Android (and iOS). It doesn’t just identify and block spammers – it gets payback for all your wasted time. The free version identifies spam calls, then lets you block callers and report spam that Robokiller might not have already in its database.
With the premium version, spam is blocked automatically for calls and texts, blocking technology is far more advanced, and Answer Bots answer spam calls for you so that you don’t have to waste time on annoying robocalls. Premium is just $39.99/year.
Call Control is a more privacy-centric spam blocker and never shares or stores your contacts. It works based on community reports and Do Not Call lists to block spam. It even works directly with government agencies to keep you safe from the latest spam and fraud scams via phone and text.
Enjoy true caller ID, Do Not Disturb mode, and your own personal block list, too. While basic blocking is available for free, more advanced blocking and unlimited personal block lists are only in the premium version for $29.99/year.
Tip: should you keep using an older Android phone? We answer your questions in this guide.
Sadly, many of the places that ask for your number don’t keep it private. Telemarketers and scammers buy lists of numbers. Plus, when sites and businesses are hacked, your number may be part of the data that’s stolen. With so many businesses and online services requiring your mobile number, it’s hard to protect your number completely.
No app or method is perfect. Spam is becoming more sophisticated. This means you’ll still receive at least an occasional call or message even if you use all methods shown here.
Stopping spam calls completely isn’t possible. For instance, you’ll likely still get some political campaign calls or businesses calling for feedback. If you don’t want to be bothered by your phone ringing, set your default ringtone to “Silent,” then give everyone in your contact list a ringtone. It can be the same ringtone or something different for everyone.
You can also set up Do Not Disturb in your Android phone’s settings. You can choose to allow only calls/messages from your favorite contacts, so that no other calls/messages will make noise.
Image credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
Click Here For The Original Story
An elderly woman lost $270,000 to a love scammer within two months after meeting the…
It turned out to be an investment scam.Scammers dupe Hongkongers out of HK$31.5 million in…
A Fort Liberty soldier has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after pleading…
A year-long CBS News investigation finds that in the hearts, minds and wallets of Americans…
The German police say they have arrested 11 suspected members of a Nigerian mafia group…
Melanie Wright is money editor at Rest Less. An award-winning financial journalist, she has written…