Spam calls have become a common problem for smartphone users around the world. These unwanted calls can interrupt your daily routine, waste your time, and sometimes even lead to financial fraud.
Fortunately, modern smartphones and mobile carriers provide several ways to block spam calls and protect your privacy. In this guide, you’ll learn how to block spam calls on Android and iPhone, as well as discover the best spam call blocking apps.
What Are Spam Calls?
Spam calls are unwanted phone calls made by telemarketers, scammers, robocall systems, or fraudsters. These callers often try to sell products, collect personal information, or trick people into sending money.
Common types of spam calls include:
- Telemarketing calls
- Robocalls
- Fake bank calls
- Lottery scams
- Insurance promotions
- Loan offers
- Tech support scams
Why You Should Block Spam Calls
Blocking spam calls offers several benefits:
- Protects your personal information
- Prevents phone scams
- Reduces interruptions
- Saves time
- Keeps your phone free from unwanted callers
- Improves your overall calling experience
How to Block Spam Calls on Android
Most Android phones include built-in spam protection.
Method 1: Enable Caller ID & Spam Protection
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three-dot menu.
- Open Settings.
- Select Caller ID & Spam.
- Turn on:
- See Caller & Spam ID
- Filter Spam Calls
Google’s Phone app automatically identifies many known spam numbers.
Method 2: Block Individual Numbers
- Open Recent Calls.
- Tap the spam number.
- Select Block or Report Spam.
- Confirm your choice.
Future calls from that number will be blocked.
Method 3: Enable Do Not Disturb
You can allow calls only from your contacts.
- Open Settings.
- Go to Sound & Vibration.
- Tap Do Not Disturb.
- Allow calls only from Contacts.
Unknown callers will be silenced.
How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone
Apple includes several privacy features for blocking unwanted calls.
Silence Unknown Callers
- Open Settings.
- Tap Phone.
- Select Silence Unknown Callers.
- Turn it On.
Calls from numbers not saved in your contacts will be sent directly to voicemail.
Block Specific Numbers
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap Recents.
- Tap the information icon beside the number.
- Scroll down.
- Tap Block this Caller.
The blocked caller can no longer contact you.
Use Your Mobile Carrier’s Spam Protection
Many mobile carriers provide free spam detection services.
These services can:
- Identify suspicious callers
- Block robocalls
- Warn you before answering
- Automatically filter spam numbers
Check your carrier’s app or customer support to enable spam protection.
Best Apps to Block Spam Calls
Several trusted apps help identify and block unwanted calls.
1. Truecaller
Features:
- Caller ID
- Spam detection
- Community-based reporting
- Call blocking
- SMS filtering
2. Hiya
Features:
- Automatic spam detection
- Fraud alerts
- Business caller identification
- Number lookup
3. Call Control
Features:
- Community spam database
- Robocall blocking
- Personal blacklist
- Caller identification
4. RoboKiller
Features:
- AI spam blocking
- Answer bots
- Robocall filtering
- Scam protection
5. Should I Answer?
Features:
- Offline spam database
- User ratings
- Automatic blocking
- Unknown number identification
Tips to Avoid Spam Calls
Follow these simple habits to reduce spam calls:
- Never answer unknown international numbers.
- Avoid sharing your phone number publicly.
- Register your number with your country’s Do Not Call registry if available.
- Do not press buttons during robocalls.
- Never share OTPs, passwords, or banking information over the phone.
- Keep your phone updated.
- Install trusted security apps.
- Report spam numbers whenever possible.
How to Report Spam Calls
If you receive repeated spam calls:
- Report the number using your phone’s reporting feature.
- Report it through your carrier.
- Report financial scams to your country’s cybercrime portal.
- Block the number immediately after reporting.
Reporting helps reduce spam for everyone.
Signs of a Scam Call
Be cautious if the caller:
- Requests your OTP or password
- Claims you’ve won a lottery
- Demands immediate payment
- Pretends to be from your bank
- Threatens legal action
- Asks you to install unknown apps
- Requests remote access to your phone
Legitimate organizations rarely ask for sensitive information over the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I completely stop spam calls?
No method can eliminate all spam calls, but enabling built-in spam protection and using a reliable spam blocker can significantly reduce them.
Does blocking a number stop text messages too?
In most cases, yes. Blocked numbers are usually prevented from making calls and sending SMS messages.
Is Truecaller safe?
Truecaller is widely used and offers effective spam detection. Review its privacy settings before granting permissions.
Why do spam callers keep changing numbers?
Many scammers use number spoofing or automated systems that generate new phone numbers to bypass blocking.
Do spam call blocker apps cost money?
Many apps offer free versions with basic spam detection. Premium plans provide additional features like advanced call filtering and fraud protection.
Conclusion
Spam calls can be annoying and sometimes dangerous, but you don’t have to tolerate them. By enabling your phone’s built-in spam protection, blocking suspicious numbers, using trusted call-blocking apps, and practicing safe phone habits, you can greatly reduce unwanted calls and protect yourself from scams. Regularly updating your device and reporting spam callers also helps improve protection for everyone.