You receive a call from an unknown number. On the other side there is a robot trying to sell you somethingor a telephone operator with more enthusiasm than embarrassment. Android has several ways to put a stop to this, from native options to specialized applications. Here they are all.
Google spam filter: the most complete option without installing anything
If your phone uses the app Google phone as default dialer —something quite common on phones with pure Android, Pixel and many others— you have access to an anti-spam filter that works automatically.
To activate it:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap the three dots on the menu (upper right corner) and enter Settings.
- Click on Caller ID and spam.
- Turn on View Caller ID and Spam, and if you want more aggressive blocking, Also activate Filter spam calls.
With the first option, when you receive a suspicious call you will see a notice such as “possible spam” or “commercial call” and you will be able to decide whether to answer. With the second, Android will directly block those calls without the phone ringing, although they will be recorded in the history so you can review them.
It is worth knowing that this function send information about your calls to Google to make the identification. If you are particularly concerned about privacy, it is something to keep in mind before activating it.
Block unknown numbers at once
If the problem is not numbers identified as spam but directly numbers that you do not have in your agenda, there is a more drastic option: block everything that is not in your contacts.
- Open the app Phone and enter Settings.
- Find the section Blocked numbers.
- Activate the option Unknown.
From there, any call from a number that you do not have saved will go directly to the blacklist. The phone will not ring and the call will not leave notification, although it will appear in the history.
The downside is obvious: legitimate calls that you don't expect will also be blocked, such as the plumber, your doctor calling from another phone, or any new number that needs to contact you. It is useful in specific moments, not to leave activated permanently.
Block a specific number from history
When you know exactly which number keeps calling you, The quickest method is to block it from the call log:
- Locate the number in history.
- Press and hold or tap the information icon.
- Select Block / Mark as spam and confirm.
That number will not bother you again and, in the process, you contribute to the base of Google data marking it as spam for other users.
Third-party apps: when it makes sense to use them
If the native filter falls short and you continue to receive an absurd amount of unwanted calls, there are specialized applications that go one step further. The best known:
- truecaller: probably the most popular. Identify who is calling you even if you don't have it saved, label the numbers as spam, telemarketing or scam, and can automatically block entire categories. Its database is huge because it is fed by millions of users. It has a free version, although some advanced functions are paid.
- Hiya: works in a similar way, with real-time detection and alerts about possible telephone fraud. Also available for iOS.
- Mr. Number– Allows you to create custom blacklists and Automatically detects suspicious calls.
These apps work because they have access to the call data of all their users, which allows them to build very complete databases. You are getting protection in exchange for sharing your calling activity, including your contact details. For most people the trade-off is worth it, but it's something you should know before installing them.
Some judgment also helps.
Beyond settings, there are habits that reduce spam in the long term. Do not answer unknown numbers if you are not waiting for a call avoid confirming that your number is activewhich usually translates into more calls in the following days. Filling out online forms with the real number only when it is essential also makes a difference: many databases of telemarketing feeds on those records. And before returning a missed call from an unknown number, it's worth searching on Google: some charge for the call or are part of “call me, it's urgent” scams.
With the native Android filter well configured and a little judgment, the problem is quite controlled without the need to install anything extra. What if the problem is not spam, but mobile phones in general? Sometimes the phone not only interrupts us with unwanted calls, but it keeps us hooked much more than we would like. If you identify with that, you may be interested in this guide on how to use your phone less without going crazy trying: from native Android tools to habit tricks that really work.
