How to block unwanted calls on iPhone and Android devices.

Despite the expectation that spam or fraudulent calls would become a problem of the past, millions of users still face this issue daily.

The good news is that both iPhones and Android devices now offer built-in tools to identify and filter spam calls. This means you do not necessarily have to install external applications like “Truecaller” or pay a monthly subscription to block unwanted callers.

In addition to the tools available on the phone itself, your telecommunications provider may also offer services to protect against spam calls.

Some companies may have these features activated automatically, while others require manual activation through your account on the provider’s website or via their app, according to a report published by Engadget and reviewed by Al Arabiya Business.

How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone

If you use an iPhone, open Settings > Phone.

Within the Call Filtering section, you will find an important option labeled Spam. When activated, your phone will not ring for calls that the telecommunications company classifies as spam.

Instead, these calls will automatically go to voicemail and appear in the Phone app under the Spam section, which you can access via the button at the top right of the call log screen.

Organize Incoming Calls from Unknown Numbers

You can also activate the Unknown Callers option from the same settings page, which helps keep your call log more organized.

After enabling this option, recent calls from unrecognized numbers will appear in a special section named Unknown Callers, accessible via the button at the top right of the calls screen.

If you discover that one of the numbers in this section belongs to a trusted person or entity, you can use the Mark as Known option to remove it from the unknown numbers list.

Screen Unknown Callers Feature on iPhone

The iPhone also offers a Screen Unknown Callers section, which provides three options for handling calls from unrecognized numbers.

The first option is Never, which is the default setting, allowing all incoming calls to ring normally.

The more stringent option is Silence, which mutes all calls from numbers not saved in your contacts and sends them directly to voicemail.

You can later review these silent calls from the call log within the Phone app.

Ask Reason for Calling: A Compromise

If you do not want to silence all unknown numbers, the Ask Reason for Calling option offers a practical compromise.

When activated, the iPhone screens incoming calls from unknown numbers and asks the caller to explain the reason for their call before deciding whether to forward the call to you.

You can see a written version of the caller’s response on your phone screen and then decide whether the call is worth answering.

This call screening feature is available in select countries on iPhones running iOS 16 or later.

Save Important Numbers to Avoid Missing Calls

While most users save the numbers of family and friends in their contacts, it is also wise to save any other frequently calling numbers, such as those from your doctor’s office or workplace.

Call filtering tools can help eliminate many spam calls, but tightening blocking settings may lead to missing important calls from unrecognized numbers. Therefore, it is best to choose the settings that suit your phone usage.

How to Block Spam Calls on Android

Most Android phones come with built-in tools to detect spam calls, but the available features vary depending on the phone model, Android version, and the dialer app used.

The Phone by Google app comes pre-installed on many Android devices and offers built-in tools to identify callers and detect spam calls.

If your phone uses a different dialer app, you can look for similar options within its settings or install the Phone app from Google and set it as the default dialer.

Activating Spam Call Detection on Android

Open the Phone app, then tap the options menu in the top left corner and select Settings.

Next, go to the Call Assist section and tap Caller ID and spam.

Activate the See caller and spam ID option, which alerts you to potentially spam calls before you answer.

For stronger protection, enable the Filter spam calls option, which automatically mutes calls that the phone suspects are unwanted.

However, you will still be able to see missed calls and voicemail from unknown numbers within the Phone app.

These features require a phone running Android 6.0 or later, along with the latest version of the Phone by Google app set as the default dialer.

Pixel and Samsung Phones Offer Advanced Screening

Some Android phones, including Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices, provide more advanced call screening tools, similar to the Ask Reason for Calling feature on iPhones.

If you use a Pixel 6 or later, open the Phone app, then navigate to: Settings > Spam and Call Screen > Call Screen.

From there, you can set up the call screening feature.

On some supported Samsung phones, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot icon in the top right corner, then go to: Settings > Call screening.

With these settings, your phone can automatically handle a significant portion of spam calls, eliminating the need for you to answer every unknown number to determine if it is a legitimate call or a marketing or fraudulent attempt.

Overall, the best way to reduce spam calls is to combine the built-in phone tools with the protection services offered by your telecommunications provider, while ensuring you save the numbers of contacts and people you expect to hear from to avoid accidentally blocking important calls.

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