How to Stop Spam Calls on Android: Effective Tips and Methods

Spam calls, also known as robocalls or telemarketing calls, are frustrating and annoying. They can interrupt important tasks, cause stress, and waste your time. Spam calls are also a threat to your privacy and security as they may trick you into giving out personal information. However, there are ways to prevent spam calls on Android devices. In this article, we will explore seven effective methods to stop spam calls on Android devices. Whether you prefer manual blocking, call blocking apps, Do Not Disturb mode, whitelists, opting out of marketing calls, call screening, or changing your number, we have got you covered.

The Basics: Manual Blocking and Reporting Spam Calls to Carriers

The simplest and most traditional way to prevent spam calls is to block them manually. Android devices allow users to block phone numbers and contacts easily. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to your Phone app
2. Find and tap on the recent call from the spammer
3. Tap on the ‘Block/Report Spam’ option (Note: different Android versions or devices may use slightly different words)
4. Confirm the action

If you receive too many spam calls from the same telemarketer, you can also report them to your phone carrier. This may help to stop the spam calls from coming to you and to others who use the same carrier. To report spam calls to your carrier, follow these guidelines:

1. Find the number that called you and write it down
2. Contact your carrier by phone or online chat
3. Provide the number and the date/time of the call
4. Ask your carrier to investigate and take action if necessary

Use A Call Blocking App

If you want to block spam calls automatically, or to have more advanced features such as customized block lists, call recording, or caller ID lookup, you can use a call blocking app. There are many call blocking apps available for Android devices, both free and paid. Here are some popular ones:

• Truecaller: Caller ID, spam blocking and call recording app with over 500 million downloads. Includes a community-based spam list and the ability to block and report spam numbers. Free and premium versions are available with additional features.
• Mr. Number: Call blocker and spam protection app with over 10 million downloads. Offers custom block and allow lists, reverse lookup, and ‘neighbor spoofing’ protection. Free but ad-supported.
• Call Blocker: Call blocker and spam filter app with over 5 million downloads. Blocks spam calls, robocalls, and telemarketing calls based on various criteria. Allows users to create their block list and whitelist. Free and ad-free.

To use a call blocking app, follow these general steps:

1. Download and install the app from Google Play Store
2. Open the app and follow the setup instructions
3. Grant necessary permissions for the app to access your contacts, calls, and SMS
4. Choose the spam protection level and other preferences
5. Test the app by making a test call or waiting for a spam call to come

Turn On Do Not Disturb

If you want to avoid all incoming calls and notifications, including spam calls, you can use the Do Not Disturb mode. The Do Not Disturb mode allows you to silence your device, turn off vibrations, and block incoming calls, except from specific contacts or during certain hours. Here’s how to turn on Do Not Disturb:

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Sound & Vibration or Sound & Notification (depending on your device)
3. Tap on Do Not Disturb or Sound mode
4. Customize the Do Not Disturb settings according to your preferences

You can also add or remove people from your priority list, which are the people who can still call or message you even when Do Not Disturb is on. You can also set scheduled times for Do Not Disturb mode, for example, during your bedtime or meetings.

Set Up A Whitelist

If you want to only allow calls from specific people, such as your family, friends, or coworkers, you can set up a whitelist. The whitelist is a list of contacts that are allowed to call you, while all other calls will be blocked or sent to voicemail. Here’s how to set up a whitelist on various Android devices:

• Samsung: Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb > Allow exceptions > Custom > Calls > Only allow from > Choose contacts
• Google Pixel: Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb > Priority only allows > Calls/messages from > Choose contacts
• LG: Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb > Allow exceptions > Calls > Add contacts to the whitelist

After you have set up the whitelist, make sure to review and update it regularly. You can also add new contacts to the whitelist from the Phone app by tapping on the star icon next to their name.

Opt Out of Marketing Calls

If you want to reduce the number of marketing calls you receive, you can opt out of them on both state and national levels. The National Do Not Call Registry is a free service that allows you to add your phone number to a database that telemarketers are required to follow. You can register your number online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222. Most states also have their own Do Not Call lists that you can join. Check with your state’s consumer protection agency or attorney general’s office to learn more.

Note that the Do Not Call Registry only applies to telemarketing calls. Non-telemarketing calls such as political calls, survey calls, debt collection calls, and charity calls may still be allowed. You can also report violations of the Do Not Call rules to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state’s attorney general.

Activate Call Screening

The Call Screening feature is a recent addition to Android devices that allows Google Assistant to answer incoming calls on your behalf and ask the caller to state their name and purpose of the call. You can then listen to the recording and decide whether to answer the call, send it to voicemail, or report it as spam. Here’s how to activate the Call Screening feature:

1. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Assistant > Phone > Call Screen
2. Turn on the toggle switch for Call Screen
3. Customize the settings according to your preferences, such as automatically screen spam calls or save transcripts of the call screening

To use Google Assistant to screen incoming calls, wait for a call to come, and then tap on the ‘Screen call’ option when the notification appears. Listen to the caller’s message, and use the response options to decide how to proceed. You can also view the transcripts of the call screening in your Call Log or Google Assistant’s activity page.

Change Your Number

If you have tried all the above methods and still receive too many spam calls, or if you suspect that your current number has been leaked or sold to telemarketers, you might consider changing your phone number. Here are the general steps to change your phone number:

1. Contact your current phone carrier and ask to change your number
2. Choose a new number that is not in use or easily guessable
3. Inform your contacts and organizations that you have changed your number
4. Update your phone settings and accounts with the new number

To prevent the new number from getting spammed, avoid sharing it with unknown people, companies, or websites. Don’t list it publicly or in directories. Use the previous methods to prevent spam calls from your new number.

Conclusion

In conclusion, spam calls are a common problem for Android users, but there are effective ways to prevent them. Whether you prefer manual blocking, call blocking apps, Do Not Disturb mode, whitelists, opting out of marketing calls, call screening, or changing your number, there’s a solution that suits your needs. Try out the methods and find which one works best for you. Remember to keep your device updated, use strong passwords, and avoid scams or suspicious calls. By applying these methods and tips, you can reduce the number of spam calls and enjoy a more peaceful and secure phone experience.