How to stop spam calls on Android Phone: 6 Ways explained!

Nobody likes to be bothered by those unwanted telemarketing spam calls, especially when busy. In this guide, I’ll explain how you can stop spam calls on your Android phone and relieve yourself from annoying robocalls.

To block spam calls, you can use some straightforward built-in features on your Android device. If needed, you may also employ the advanced techniques detailed below.

But first, to stay alert and avoid potential scams, it’s essential to understand how spammers obtain your phone number.

How spammers get your phone number

Spammers often obtain phone numbers by scraping websites and social media platforms. They purchase contact lists from unscrupulous sources, data breaches, or third-party data providers.

They may also set up fake charities, sponsored contests, and attractive giveaways to lure innocent users and obtain their numbers. Stay vigilant and only sign up for such things on legitimate and trusted sites.

Often, spammers pretend to be bank representatives, lenders, or real estate agents. While falsely claiming to assist you, they secure your contact details.

To combat this growing menace, there are several effective steps you can take, discussed further in the blog. While these listed tactics are effective, it is also important that you practice caution when it comes to sharing personal information online.

6 Ways to block spam calls on Android

Follow the simple yet effective solutions to protect your Android device from spam calls or robocalls.

1. Block spam calls using Google Phone app

In the Google Phone app, you have the option of turning on See caller and spam ID and Filter spam calls.

When the first option is turned on, you’ll see the caller’s name or business and a “Spam likely” label if Google suspects it’s spam. Here, you can decide whether or not to pick up the call.

Further, if you enable Filter spam call, Google actively blocks identified spam calls before they even ring your phone. The steps to enable both are outlined below:

1. Access the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot icon → Pick Settings from the top-right corner.
   
   
3. Select Caller ID & spam under the ASSISTIVE menu.
4. If disabled, toggle on See caller and spam ID.
5. You can further enable Filter spam calls.
   This action will prevent suspected spam calls from disturbing you.
   
   

Note: By enabling Filter spam calls, you won’t receive missed calls or voicemail notifications, but your filtered calls will appear in your call history. You can check your voicemail to see if you have any new messages.

2. Manually block spam calls on Android Phone

In case you do not want to depend on the Google dialer and take care of the problem yourself, here’s how you do it.

1. Simply launch the Google Phone app.
2. Go to the Recents menu.
3. Press and hold the desired contact.
4. Press Block/report junk from the menu.
5. Check the Report as spam call option when prompted.
6. Tap Block to conclude the process.
   
   

Once done, you’ll not receive calls from this particular contact. This might just be the most effective way of getting rid of spam calls on Android.

Note: If you are waiting for a call from a service such as Amazon and it appears as a spam call, it is important to mark the number as Not Spam in your recent call history. Failure to do so may result in you not receiving future call alerts from the same number.

3. Register at Donotcall.gov

You may find yourself stuck between spammers calling from multiple numbers advertising the service. In this case, you can report all such numbers to the respective authorities.

1. Head to the homepage of the National Do Not Call Registry.
2. Click the register link to proceed.
3. As the page redirects, select Register Here.
4. Fill in the necessary details such as Phone Number and Email address.
5. Now, enter the details of the caller against the respective section.
6. Click Register to proceed.
7. Now, you must verify yourself by clicking the verification link received in the email.
8. Once verified, your report will be filed successfully.

4. Screen your calls before answering

Knowing who’s calling and why before answering a call can be very effective in filtering spam calls. You can do the same with the Call Screen feature.

If you have a Google Pixel smartphone, follow the steps discussed below to activate:

1. Launch the Phone app in Google Pixel.
2. Tap the three-dot icon from the top-right corner.
3. Choose Settings → Spam and Call Screen.
4. Select the Call Screen option.
   • Here, you can customize your Android device to filter out and block unwanted calls from various categories, including spam calls.
5. Choose one of the following:
   • Spam
   • Possibly faked numbers
   • First-time callers
   • Private & hidden numbers
6. Once set, your device will automatically filter and cater to spam and unknown calls.

Note: This feature is exclusive to Google Pixel devices and is available in selected countries.

Interestingly, the Call Screen feature works without an active Wi-Fi or cellular data connection. Additionally, calls that are screened by Google Assistant are treated like any other incoming call.

5. Use carrier tools to block spam calls

Another effective way to stop spam calls on Android is to utilize carrier tools. Many carriers offer built-in features or applications that help identify and filter spam calls in real-time, reducing the nuisance they cause.

To keep it hassle-free for you, I’ve listed the most popular ones below:

• AT&T ActiveArmor℠
• T-Mobile Scam Shield
• Verizon Call Filter

These tools employ advanced algorithms and databases to analyze incoming calls and determine their legitimacy based on various factors, such as caller ID information, call frequency, and reputation scores. They offer optimal protection against scam callers intelligently.

Additionally, I recommend regularly updating these apps for optimal performance as new spam-calling patterns emerge frequently.

6. Use third-party apps to block spam calls

A wide range of third-party apps also offer legitimate protection against spam calls.

But which one is the best? Don’t worry. I have listed some of my recommendations to help you get rid of spam calls.

These apps incorporate advanced algorithms and databases of known spam numbers to identify and intercept incoming spam calls in real time.

• Call Blocker – Stop spam calls
• Eyecon Caller ID & Spam Block
• Calls Blacklist – Call Blocker
• Robokiller – Spam Call Blocker
• Should I Answer?

These apps analyze patterns, metadata, and user feedback to determine the likelihood of a call being categorized as spam. Some even offer features such as automatic call blocking from unknown numbers or creating personal blacklists for specific contacts.

Users can foster a more peaceful virtual environment by familiarizing themselves with spammers’ tactics and adopting preventive strategies.

Tips to avoid spam calls on Android

While the methods discussed above can come in handy, you can hover through some alternate approaches that’ll help you identify spam calls in Android.

These solutions can help differentiate regular calls from spam ones.

1. How to verify or share caller ID

The Google Phone app allows you to share information about businesses you call or connect with. You can include the following parameters while saving a contact.

And if you’re promoting your business via calls, registering your number officially will bring along a series of benefits, such as:

• Include a business name or category
• Get displayed on incoming calls
• Help others learn more about the business, school, or organization calling

Simply follow the steps discussed below to comply:

1. Access the Google Phone app on your Android.
2. Go to the Recents menu.
3. Tap the “Was this a business?” option under the unsaved number.
   
   
4. Simply follow the on-screen instructions and fill in the details concerning the call.
5. Once entered, tap Submit.

This action will help you flawlessly categorize important business calls from spam.

2. Turn on the Caller ID announcement

Another alternative to identify the caller is to enable the Caller ID announcement feature.

1. Access the Google Phone app on your Android.
2. Tap the three-dot icon → Caller ID announcement.
3. Select Announce caller ID to proceed.
4. Finally, choose an option that suits your preference:
   • Always
   • Only when using a headset
   • Never
     
     

That’s it!

Now, based on your preference, your Android phone will announce the caller ID and will help you rectify spam callers right away.

Video to stop spam calls on Android phone

No more robocalls!

In conclusion, receiving unwanted spam calls can be frustrating and time-consuming. However, with the help of technology and simple tips, you can effectively put a stop to these calls on your Android device. 

Remember, it’s important to stay vigilant and take action to safeguard your privacy and security in today’s digital age.