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Spam calls are an everyday hassle, constantly interrupting us with calls from unknown numbers. Most of the time, these calls come from telemarketers, robocalls, or even scammers trying to get personal information. They’re annoying, but they can also lead to serious issues like fraud or identity theft if you’re not careful.
Luckily, both iPhones and Android phones have built-in ways to block spam calls. By using these features, you can cut down on the number of nuisance calls and keep your personal info safe.
Key Takeaways
- Spam calls are a common problem that can lead to privacy risks and scams if not managed properly.
- iPhones and Android devices have built-in features like “Silence Unknown Callers” and “Caller ID & Spam Protection” to block unwanted calls.
- You can block specific numbers manually on both iPhone and Android, stopping repeat offenders from contacting you.
- Third-party apps like RoboKiller and Truecaller offer more control and protection by automatically filtering and blocking known spam numbers.
- Staying proactive by using built-in tools, apps, and avoiding sharing your phone number can help prevent spam calls from disrupting your day.
What is a Spam Call?
A spam call is an unwanted phone call, often made for marketing or fraudulent purposes. These calls can come from automated systems, telemarketers, or scammers trying to sell products, gather personal information, or commit fraud.
What is a spam phone call? It’s essentially any unwanted phone call and often aims to trick or annoy the recipient.
How to Recognize a Spam Call
Spam calls are pretty easy to spot once you know what to look for. They usually come from numbers you don’t recognize, sometimes with strange area codes, and often have automated or prerecorded voices. If someone’s asking for personal info or offering a deal that sounds too good to be true, it’s likely a phishing scam.
The best way to avoid spam calls is to just not answer if you don’t know the number. If you do pick up and something feels off, hang up right away. Never share personal details with unexpected callers. Figuring out how to avoid spam calls and how to stop spam calls can help keep you safe from scams.
How to Stop Spam Calls on iPhone and Android Phones
Ready to put a stop to those annoying spam calls? Here’s what you need to do.
How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone
Blocking spam calls on iPhone is easy with a few built-in features. You can block individual numbers manually or use the iPhone’s settings to block all unknown callers.
Block Individual Unknown Callers
Here’s how to block specific numbers on your iPhone:
First, open the Phone app.
Tap Recents at the bottom of the screen.
Tap the i icon next to the number that you would like to block.
Scroll to the bottom of the next screen and tap Block Caller.
A confirmation window will appear, telling you that you won’t get phone calls, messages, or FaceTime calls from people that are on the block list.
Tap Block Contact to confirm.
This method works well for blocking spam calls on iPhone when the same number keeps calling you.
How to Block All Spam Calls on iPhone
If you want to block all unknown numbers, you can use the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature.
Here’s how to enable it:
First, open the Settings app and then tap the Apps option.
Scroll down to the “P” section and tap the Phone app.
Down in the “Calls” section, tap Silence Unknown Callers.
Toggle the slider to the right to enable the Silence Unknown Callers feature.
This feature sends calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail, so you don’t get interrupted by spam.
How to Block Spam Calls on Android Phone
Blocking spam calls on Android devices is straightforward, with both manual options and built-in features. You can block specific numbers or use Android’s spam protection tools to filter out unwanted calls automatically.
Block Individual Numbers on Android
Unlike iPhone, the exact steps for blocking individual numbers on Android depends on the model and OS version you’re using. That makes it a bit trickier to give exact instructions.
That said, the flow is generally the same across most devices. The wording may vary, but here’s what you need to look for:
Open the Phone app.
Tap More (three dots in a vertical line).
Tap Call history.
Tap the number that you would like to block, and then tap Block / Report Spam.
Enable Caller ID and Spam Protection on Android
To automatically block spam calls, you can enable Android’s built-in spam protection.
Open the Phone app, tap More (three dots in a vertical line).
Tap Settings.
Tap Caller ID & Spam.
Toggle the slider to On for both the See caller and spam ID and Filter spam calls options.
As mentioned earlier, these steps will vary slightly between models and OS versions.
Apps that Block Spam Calls
If you’re tired of spam calls, there are a few apps that can help block them. RoboKiller and Truecaller are two of the most popular options, and they do a pretty good job of keeping those annoying calls away.
- RoboKiller: This app automatically blocks spam calls using a database of known scammers and telemarketers. It even has a fun feature that answers spam calls with prerecorded messages to mess with the caller. It costs about $8 a month and works well for most people.
- Truecaller: Truecaller helps you figure out who’s calling before you pick up, and it blocks spam numbers reported by other users. It’s free, but if you want extra features, there’s a premium version for around $10 a month.
These apps are great if you’re looking for an easy way to stop spam calls and get back some peace and quiet.
3 Ways to Prevent Spam Calls
If you want to cut down on spam calls, there are a few simple things you can do:
Taking these steps can really help when you’re figuring out how to prevent spam calls. It’s all about being mindful of where your number is floating around to stop those unsolicited calls from coming in.
The Bottom Line
Spam calls can lead to scams and privacy issues. That’s why it’s important to recognize them and block them when you can. Whether you’re using built-in features on your iPhone or Android or turning to apps for extra help, there are plenty of ways to cut down on these unwanted calls.
It’s all about staying proactive. Block numbers as they come in, turn on those spam protection features, and use apps if needed. By doing this, you can reduce the hassle and keep yourself safe from potential scams.
FAQs
How do I stop getting so many spam calls on my iPhone?
How do I permanently stop spam calls?
How can I stop receiving calls on my iPhone without blocking?
How do I stop all incoming calls on my iPhone?
Is there a way to block spam calls on Android?
How can I permanently block spam calls?
Why am I getting so much spam on my Android phone?
References
- The Text & Spam Call Blocker App That Actually Works | Robokiller (Robokiller)
- Truecaller – Leading Global Caller ID & Call Blocking App (Truecaller)
- National Do Not Call Registry (Donotcall)
