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Solved: How to stop annoying incoming spam calls on Android phone

By: Author Alex Lim

Posted on  - Last updated:

Categories Troubleshooting

Are you tired of receiving unwanted spam calls on your Android phone? You’re not alone. With the rise of mobile phone usage, spam calls have become increasingly common. However, there are ways to prevent and stop spam calls on your Android device. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to protect yourself from unwanted calls and keep your phone ringing only for the calls that matter.

Introduction

Spam calls can be a nuisance and a potential threat to your privacy and security. Unfortunately, Android devices are often targeted by spammers and telemarketers. In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to stop spam calls on Android devices. We cover various methods and techniques that you can use to prevent unwanted calls and protect your privacy.

Solved: How to stop annoying incoming spam calls on Android phone

How to Identify Spam Calls on Android

Before we dive into the ways to stop spam calls, it’s important to know how to identify them. Some common signs of a spam call include:

  • Caller ID shows an unfamiliar or suspicious number
  • Calls from unknown or blocked numbers
  • Calls from numbers with unusual area codes or prefixes
  • The caller asks for personal information or payment, such as your social security number, credit card number, or bank account information
  • The caller claims to be a government agency, but you have no reason to believe it’s legitimate
  • The caller offers something too good to be true, such as a free vacation or lottery winnings
  • Calls that are repeated or frequent
  • Calls that do not leave a voicemail

If you suspect a call is spam, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not answer it.

Best Practices to Stop Spam Calls on Android

To stop spam calls on Android, it is important to follow some best practices. Firstly, never answer calls from unknown or blocked numbers, and avoid sharing personal information over the phone. Additionally, avoid providing your phone number on public platforms, and opt-out of marketing calls by registering your number on the National Do Not Call Registry.

You can also use call blocking and screening features on your Android device to filter out unwanted calls. Furthermore, you should be cautious while installing apps or providing app permissions, as some apps may access your phone number and sell it to third-party companies.

How to Block Spam Calls on Android

There are several ways to block spam calls on Android:

Method 1: Block the Numbers

One of the easiest and most effective ways to stop spam calls on Android is to block the numbers. Here are the steps to block a number on Android:

Step 1: Open the default Android Phone app by Google.

Step 2: Go to the Recent calls tab.

Step 3: ap and hold the number you want to block.

Step 4: Select Block/Report spam from the options.

Step 5: Check or uncheck the box for Report call as spam, then tap Block.

Check or uncheck the box for Report call as spam, then tap Block.

Blocking numbers works best for known spammers or telemarketers, but for unknown numbers or robocalls, you need a different approach.

Method 2: Create a Custom Block List

If you receive calls from a specific number repeatedly, you can create a custom block list to prevent them from calling you again. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the default Android Phone app by Google.

Step 2: Find the number you want to block in your call log or contacts.

Step 3: Tap and hold on the number.

Step 4: Select Block number.

Select Block number.

Method 3: Enable Caller ID & Spam Protection

Google offers options to stop spam calls by using a list compiled by Google. Most Android phones come with a built-in feature that lets you block spam calls. To enable this feature, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the default Android Phone app by Google.

Step 2: Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.

Step 3: Select Settings.

Step 4: Scroll down and select Caller ID & Spam.

Step 5: Toggle on the switch for Filter spam calls and See call and spam ID.

Toggle on the switch for Filter spam calls and See call and spam ID.

With this feature enabled, your phone will alert you if a call is suspected spam. You can also choose to automatically send suspected spam calls to voicemail.

Method 4: Use Third-Party Call Blocker Apps for Android

Call blocker apps are another popular way to stop spam calls on Android. These apps use a database of known spammers and telemarketers to block calls from those numbers. These apps use advanced algorithms and AI to detect and block spam calls. Here are some of the best call blocker apps for Android:

Method 5: Turn on the Do Not Disturb Mode

Do Not Disturb mode can also help you stop spam calls on Android. This mode silences calls and notifications from unknown numbers, while allowing calls and notifications from your contacts to come through. Here are the steps to turn on Do Not Disturb mode on Android:

Step 1: Go to Settings.

Step 2: Tap Sound & vibration.

Step 3: Tap Do Not Disturb.

Step 4: Toggle on the TURN ON NOW option.

Method 6: Add Your Number to the National Do Not Call Registry

The National Do Not Call Registry is a free service provided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that allows consumers to add their phone numbers to a list to stop telemarketing calls. Here are the steps to add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry:

Step 1: Go to National Do Not Call Registry.

Step 2: Click on Register.

Go to National Do Not Call Registry. Click on Register.

Step 3: Click on Register Here.

Click on Register Here.

Step 4: Enter your phone number and email address, then click on Submit.

Enter your phone number and email address, then click on Submit.

Step 5: Ensure the entered details are correct and click on Register.

Ensure the entered details are correct and click on Register.

Step 6: Open and click the verification link sent to your email address.

Open and click the verification link sent to your email address.

Step 7: Once your number’s verified, you should see this.

Once your number's verified, you should see this.

Method 7: Use Caller ID and Call Blocking Services from Your Carrier

Many mobile carriers offer caller ID and call blocking services to their customers. These services can help to identify and block calls from known spam numbers. Additionally, some carriers offer premium services that provide additional call blocking and spam protection features.

Method 8: Use Call screen in Google Assistant

You can use Google Assistant’s Call Screen feature to screen unwanted calls on your Android phone. Here’s how you can enable it:

Step 1: Make sure you have the latest version of the Phone app.

Step 2: Open the Phone app and tap More Settings > Spam and Call Screen.

Step 3: Make sure See caller and spam ID is turned on.

Make sure See caller and spam ID is turned on.

Step 4: Tap Call Screen.

Step 5: Under Unknown call settings, tap the types of callers you’d like to screen.

Step 6: To screen automatically, choose Automatically screen. Decline robocalls.

To screen automatically, choose Automatically screen. Decline robocalls.

Method 11: Enable Unknown to Block Calls from Unidentified Callers

To block calls from unidentified callers on Android, you can follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the default Android Phone app by Google.

Step 2: Tap on the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.

Step 3: Select Settings.

Step 4: Tap on Blocked numbers.

Tap on Blocked numbers.

Step 5: Toggle on to enable Unknown.

Toggle on to enable Unknown.

This will block calls from private or unidentified numbers.

Method 12: Enable Block Spam Calls using Samsung Dialer App

If you are a Samsung smartphone user, you can easily take control of unwanted calls by following a few simple steps. To begin, open the Samsung Dialer application and navigate to the Settings menu. From there, you can enable the feature to Block spam and spam calls. Samsung offers two options for users to choose from – you can either block just the high-risk scam calls or you can block all scam calls. Both options are conveniently accessible from the same menu, so you can tailor your call blocking settings to suit your specific needs. With these user-friendly settings, you can enjoy a more peaceful and uninterrupted smartphone experience.

Enable Block Spam Calls using Samsung Dialer App

Method 13: Be Cautious of Unknown Numbers

One of the most effective ways to stop spam calls is to be cautious of unknown numbers. Users should avoid answering calls from numbers they do not recognize, particularly if the call is from an unknown area code or country code. Additionally, users should not provide personal information over the phone to unknown callers.

How to Report Spam Calls on Android

Reporting spam calls can help prevent others from falling victim to them. Most Android phones have a built-in feature that lets you report spam calls. To do this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the default Android Phone app by Google.

Step 2: Find the number you want to report in your call log or contacts.

Step 3: Tap and hold on the number.

Step 4: Select Report call as spam.

How to Avoid Spam Calls on Android

Preventing spam calls from reaching your phone in the first place is the best way to avoid them. Here are some tips to help you avoid spam calls on Android:

  • Don’t answer calls from unfamiliar or suspicious numbers.
  • Don’t give out personal information to unknown callers.
  • Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry (US only).
  • Use a spam call blocking app or enable caller ID & spam protection.

FAQs

Question: How do spammers get my phone number?
Answer: Spammers can get your phone number through data breaches and treasure troves of raw data found and sold on the dark web. They can also pick through your trash and grab an old bill with your phone number on it. Another way spammers get phone numbers is by carrying out spoofing using a VoIP (Voice Over IP) service or IP phone, both of which use the internet to make phone calls. Spammers use auto-dialing software to instantly connect to one of the phone numbers from the list. Usually, such systems are used for robocalls.

Question: Can I block all unknown numbers on Android?
Answer: Yes, you can block all unknown numbers on Android. To do this, select and open the Phone app on your Android device, then select More with the three dots and go to Settings > Blocked numbers. Now select the setting for Unknown and turn this on.

Question: How do I block a specific number on Android?
Answer: You can use the built-in call blocking features on your Android device or install a call blocking app from the Google Play Store.

Question: How do I block calls from unknown or private numbers?
Answer: You can use the built-in call blocking features on your Android device or install a call blocking app that can automatically block calls from unknown or private numbers.

Question: How do I register my number with the National Do Not Call Registry?
Answer: You can visit the National Do Not Call Registry website and follow the instructions to register your number.

Question: What should I do if I receive a scam call or a robocall?
Answer: If you receive a scam call or a robocall, you should hang up immediately and block the number if possible. You can also report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint. It’s important to never give out personal information over the phone unless you’re sure who you’re talking to. If you’re unsure, hang up and call the company back using a phone number from their official website or from your own records.

Conclusion

Spam calls can be frustrating and even dangerous at times, but there are many ways to stop them on Android. From blocking numbers to using call blocker apps, turning on Do Not Disturb mode, or adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry, you have plenty of options to choose from. By following the methods mentioned in this article, you can effectively stop spam calls on your Android device and enjoy a more peaceful phone experience.