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Spam calls all day? Your Android has a filter that's switched off

How to stop spam calls on Android

Open the Phone app, tap the three dots > Settings > Caller ID & spam and turn on Filter spam calls. Calls flagged as spam stop ringing and go to your call history instead. On a Samsung Galaxy the switch is under Settings > Caller ID and spam protection.

How to do it

  1. Open the Phone app and tap the three dots in the top corner, then Settings.

  2. Tap Caller ID & spam. On newer Pixels it can say Spam and Call Screen.

  3. Make sure See caller & spam ID is on, then turn on Filter spam calls.

  4. On a Samsung Galaxy, go to Settings > Caller ID and spam protection in the Phone app, turn it on and choose to block spam and scam calls.

Your phone already knows which calls are spam. That's where the Suspected spam label on the call screen comes from. Out of the box it only warns you, and the phone still rings.

Filter spam calls goes one step further. Flagged calls don't ring, don't show a missed-call notification, and land in your call history where you can look if you want.

I check that list now and then. In months I've found one real call in there, a delivery driver, and he left a voicemail anyway.

Other ways to do it

  • Call Screen Built in

    Pick it if you have a Pixel and want unknown numbers answered for you, so you can read who it is before you pick up. It's in Settings > Spam and Call Screen.

    Stick with this tip if you just want known spam to stop ringing and don't need anything screened.

  • Truecaller App

    Pick it if your phone doesn't use Phone by Google or Samsung's Phone app, or you want a bigger spam list. It wants access to your contacts.

    Stick with this tip if your phone already has the built-in filter and you'd rather not install another app.

Questions people ask

Will I miss real calls?

Only if a real number gets flagged as spam, which is rare. Filtered calls still show up in your call history and can leave a voicemail. If one is wrong, tap it and choose Not spam.

I can't find Filter spam calls on my Pixel. Where is it?

Newer Pixels fold it into Call Screen. Open the Phone app > Settings > Spam and Call Screen > Call Screen and pick Basic protection or higher. Basic is the same as Filter spam calls.

Where is it on a Samsung phone?

Open the Phone app, tap the three dots > Settings > Caller ID and spam protection, turn it on and choose to block spam and scam calls.

Can I block every number that isn't in my contacts?

Not in Phone by Google. Its Blocked numbers screen has an Unknown switch, but that only blocks hidden and private numbers. Samsung's Block numbers screen does have a switch for unknown numbers, and it will block the dentist too.

How do I block one number that keeps calling?

Open your call history, tap the number and choose Block or Report spam. Reporting it also helps the filter catch it for everyone else.

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