Spam calls have become a nuisance for smartphone users, with scammers and telemarketers bombarding people with unwanted calls. Both Android and iPhone users can take steps to block spam calls and protect their privacy. Android devices offer built-in features to block spam calls, depending on the manufacturer and model of the phone, as well as the version of Android. iPhone users also have several options to block spam calls and protect their privacy. You can also get professional help from a phone repair shop.
Blocking Spam Calls on Android
Use the Call Blocking Feature
Most Android devices have a built-in call-blocking feature that allows you to block specific phone numbers. To access this feature, go to the Phone app, tap on the three-dot menu (usually located in the top-right corner), and select “Settings” or “Call Settings.” Look for an option called “Block numbers” or “Blocked calls” and tap on it. From there, you can add phone numbers to your blocked list. Any calls from those numbers will be automatically blocked.
Enable Do Not Disturb Mode
Do Not Disturb mode is a feature that allows you to silence calls and notifications during specific times, such as when you’re sleeping or in a meeting. You can also configure it to allow calls only from specific contacts or repeated calls from the same number to ring through. To enable Do Not Disturb mode, go to the Settings app, tap on “Sound & notification” or “Sound,” depending on your Android version, and look for “Do Not Disturb” or “Notifications.” From there, you can configure the settings to block calls from unknown numbers or specific contacts. Take help from a phone repair shop if you need help to perform this action.
Use Google Phone App
Google’s official Phone app for Android devices also offers a built-in call-blocking feature. The app automatically blocks known spam callers from Google’s extensive spam database. To enable this feature, install the Google Phone app from the Google Play Store if it’s not already installed. Open the app, go to “Settings,” tap on “Caller ID & spam,” and toggle on the “Filter spam calls” option. You can also report spam calls directly from the app to help improve Google’s spam detection.
Install Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
Several third-party call-blocking apps on the Google Play Store offer advanced call-blocking features. These apps can block calls based on keywords and area codes and even block entire categories of calls, such as telemarketing, robocalls, and political calls. Some famous call-blocking apps for Android include Truecaller, Hiya, Mr. Number, and Call Control. These apps usually have an extensive database of known spam numbers and are regularly updated for effective call blocking.
Set Up Call Screening
Some Android devices also offer call-screening features that allow you to screen calls from unknown numbers before answering them. When you receive a call from an unknown number, you can decline it and choose to screen it. The caller will then be asked to provide their name and the purpose of the call, and you can decide whether to accept or decline the call based on the information provided. Ask a phone and electronic repair shop in case of further help.
Blocking Spam Calls on iPhone
Use the built-in Call Blocking Feature
iPhones running iOS 13 or later have a built-in call-blocking feature that allows you to block specific phone numbers. To access this feature, go to the Phone app, find the recent call or contact you want to block, and tap the “i” (info) icon next to the number. Tap “Block this Caller” or “Block this Contact.” This will add the phone number to your blocked list, and any calls from that number will be automatically blocked.
Enable Silence, Unknown Callers
iPhones running iOS 13 or later also have Silence Unknown Callers, which can automatically silence calls from unknown numbers and send them directly to voicemail. To enable this feature, go to the Settings app, tap “Phone,” and toggle the “Silence Unknown Callers” option. This can be a valuable way to block spam calls from numbers that are not in your contacts or known list.
Use Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
Like Android, several third-party call-blocking apps are available on the App Store for iPhone users. These apps can provide additional features and options to block spam calls effectively. Some popular call-blocking apps for iPhone include RoboKiller, Truecaller, Hiya, and Nomorobo. These apps usually have large databases of known spam numbers and can block calls based on various criteria, such as keywords, patterns, and categories.
Set Up Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb mode is also available on iPhones and can be used to block spam calls. You can configure it to allow calls only from specific contacts or allow repeated calls from the same number to ring through. To enable Do Not Disturb, go to the Settings app, tap “Do Not Disturb,” and configure the settings per your preferences. You can also schedule specific times when you want the Do Not Disturb mode to be active, such as during the night or work hours. Let the professionals at a phone and computer repair shop help you if you still need help with this problem.
Use Siri to Block Calls
iPhones also have a feature where Siri can block calls from specific phone numbers. When you receive a call from a spam number, you can activate Siri and say, “Block this number” or “Block [phone number].” Siri will then block the number for you, and any calls from that number will be automatically blocked.
Report Spam Calls to Apple
iPhones running iOS 14 or later have a feature that allows you to report spam calls directly to Apple. When you receive a call from an unknown number, you can go to the Recent Calls list in the Phone app, find the call, and swipe left. Tap the “Report” option, then select “Report to Apple.” This will help Apple improve its spam detection system and effectively block spam calls.
Conclusion
Be cautious with unknown numbers: Avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, especially if they are from a different country or look suspicious. If it’s an important call, the caller will usually leave a voicemail or try to contact you through other means. Avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers, such as your name, address, or financial details. Legitimate callers will not ask for such information over the phone. Take help from a phone repair shop like Tellfix if needed.