Spam calls have become a regular nuisance for smartphone users, particularly Android users. Receiving calls from unknown numbers can be a frustrating experience, and it’s tempting to ignore them. However, ignoring these calls can sometimes result in missing important calls from legitimate sources. In this article, we will share some methods that you can use to block spam calls on your Android phone once and for all.
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The Challenge of Blocking Spam Calls on My Android Phone
Blocking spam calls on your Android phone requires some technical knowledge, and it can be a time-consuming process. Unfortunately, spam calls have become more sophisticated, which makes it harder to detect them. This is why Android developers have escalated the development of spam detection software, which we can take advantage of to block these calls entirely.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before we proceed to the methods, there are several things you should prepare for:
- Ensure you have an updated Android version
- Choose a preferred spam block app from Google Play Store
- Have a reliable internet connection
Method 1: Block Calls Using Google Phone
Google Phone is the default dialer app for many Android phones, and it includes a spam call blocking feature. Follow the steps below to use this feature:
- Open the Google Phone app and click on the three vertical dots on the top right corner of the page
- Click on "Settings" and "Caller ID and spam"
- Toggle on the switch for "Caller ID and Spam"
Pros:
- It’s a built-in feature in the Google Phone app
- It is easy to use
Cons:
- It may not work with some Android phone models
- It requires a reliable internet connection to work
Method 2: Block Calls Using Third-Party Apps
Several third-party apps are available on the Google Play Store that can identify and block spam calls. In this method, we will discuss how to use the well-known app, Truecaller.
- Download and install Truecaller from the Google Play Store
- Open the Truecaller app and log in
- Click on the three horizontal lines on the top left corner of the page
- Click on "Settings"
- Select "Block" and toggle the switch for "Spam calls"
Pros:
- It can identify and block different types of spam calls
- It works even when the phone is offline
Cons:
- You have to create an account to use the app
- The free version has limited features and displays ads
Method 3: Block Calls Using Smart Call
Smart Call is an app developed by Samsung that can identify and block spam calls automatically. Note that this app is only available for Samsung Galaxy phone users.
- Open the phone app on your Samsung Galaxy phone
- Click on "More" on the top right corner of the page
- Select "Settings" and click "Block numbers"
- Enable "Block unknown callers" and turn on "Caller ID and spam protection"
Pros:
- It is a built-in feature in Samsung Galaxy phones
- It is easy to use
Cons:
- It’s only available for Samsung Galaxy phone users
- It doesn’t work with other Android phone models
Why Can’t I Block Spam Calls on My Android Phone?
Here are some reasons why you can’t block spam calls and fixes to these problems:
1. Your phone is not updated
A fix to this issue is to update your phone software to the latest version.
2. You don’t have an anti-spam app
Download and install anti-spam apps like Truecaller to block spam calls.
Additional Tips
- Don’t answer calls from unknown numbers. By answering them, you confirm that your number is active, and this may result in more spam calls.
- Don’t share your phone number publicly. Avoid posting your phone number on public websites, social media, and other public areas.
- Block callers manually. You can use your phone settings to block specific phone numbers manually.
5 FAQs about Blocking Spam Calls on My Android Phone
Q1: Can I block spam calls without using third-party apps?
A: Yes, you can block spam calls using Google Phone or Smart Call on your Android phone without installing third-party apps.
Q2: Do I have to pay for anti-spam apps?
A: No, many anti-spam apps are available for free on the Google Play Store. However, some apps may have a premium version that comes with additional features.
Q3: Can I block spam calls from specific countries?
A: Yes, you can use anti-spam apps like Truecaller Premium to filter out calls based on country codes.
Q4: Do anti-spam apps affect legitimate calls?
A: No, anti-spam apps use a call identification system that differentiates between spam calls and legitimate calls.
Q5: Can I recover deleted spam calls?
A: No, once you have deleted a spam call from your call log, it cannot be recovered.
In Conclusion
Blocking spam calls on Android phones is a common problem that can be fixed with the methods discussed in this article. By installing anti-spam apps like Truecaller, Smart Call, or using Google Phone, we can entirely avoid receiving calls from unknown numbers on our Android phones. Following the additional tips discussed in this article can also help in reducing the number of spam calls that we receive.