How to Block Spam Calls on Android and iPhone (2026)

To block spam calls on a Samsung Galaxy, open Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Caller ID and spam protection, turn it on and switch on Block spam and scam calls. On the Google Phone app the switch is Filter spam calls; on an iPhone, use Settings → Apps → Phone → Screen Unknown Callers.

Then turn on your carrier’s free spam filter, join your country’s do-not-call list (DoNotCall.gov, TPS or India’s DND via 1909), and report scam calls that still get through.

No single switch stops every unwanted call. Scammers change numbers and fake caller ID, so the best protection is layered: your phone’s filter, your network’s filter, and you reporting the calls that slip past both. Each layer takes a couple of minutes to set up.

We set up the Samsung steps on our own Galaxy phone. The Google Phone and iPhone steps come from Google’s and Apple’s help pages, and we say so where it matters. For texts, see our companion guide on how to stop spam texts and report them.

How to block spam calls on a Samsung Galaxy

Samsung’s own Phone app has a spam filter built in. Samsung calls the service Smart Call, and it may not be offered on every carrier or model.

Open the Phone app and tap More options (the three dots) → Settings.
Tap Caller ID and spam protection and turn on the switch at the top. Accept the terms if asked.
Turn on Block spam and scam calls.
Choose Block all spam and scam calls (stricter) or Only block high-risk scam calls (lets milder telemarketing through).

Samsung also lists an AI scam detection feature for Galaxy phones on One UI 8.5 or later. It listens for patterns common in scam calls during a call and warns you with a tone or vibration.

Block one number on a Galaxy

Open Phone → Recents and tap the number.
Tap the info or menu button and choose Block.
To review your list, go to Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Block numbers. You can add numbers by hand or remove them with the red minus icon.

The same Block numbers screen has a Block calls from unknown numbers switch. It blocks calls that arrive with no caller ID at all, not every number missing from your contacts. When a spam call rings, you can also tap Block/Report number at the bottom of the call screen to block it and tell Samsung what kind of call it was.

Google Phone app: filter spam and use Call Screen

Pixel phones and many other Android phones use Google’s Phone app. These steps are based on Google’s Phone app help pages; we didn’t test them on a Pixel.

Open Phone → More options → Settings → Caller ID and spam.
Make sure See caller ID & spam is on (it’s on by default).
Turn on Filter spam calls. Filtered calls don’t ring and don’t show a missed-call notification, but they stay in your call history.

On phones with automatic Call Screen, the filter switch may be missing because Call Screen does the job instead. Go to Settings → Spam and Call Screen (or Call Screen) and pick a protection level. Google says automatic screening works on Pixel phones in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland. It asks unknown callers who they are and declines detected spam without ringing.

To block or report a single number, open Recents, tap the call and choose Block or Report spam.

iPhone: screen, silence and filter unknown callers

We didn’t test these steps on an iPhone. They’re based on Apple’s support pages for iOS 26 and later, linked in the sources.

Open Settings → Apps → Phone.
Tap Screen Unknown Callers and choose Ask Reason for Calling (the caller is asked who they are before your phone rings) or Silence (straight to voicemail).
Scroll to Call Filtering and turn on the spam filter and Unknown Callers. Filtered calls appear under the Filter button in the Phone app.

To block one number, open Phone → Recents, tap the info button next to the number and choose Block Caller. Apple notes that calls aren’t screened while you’re roaming. In iOS 26 and later, all blocked contacts are listed in Settings → Privacy & Security → Blocked Contacts.

Free carrier spam blockers

Your mobile network sees calls before your phone does, so its filter catches some spam your phone never would. Most carriers’ basic tools are free. Prices and tiers below were checked on the carriers’ own pages at the time of writing (October 2026).

Country and carrier	Free tool	What the free version does
US: Verizon	Call Filter	Spam detection and filter, spam log, report spam. Call Filter Plus ($3.99/month) adds caller ID and a personal block list.
US: AT&T	ActiveArmor	Fraud calls blocked automatically; suspected spam labelled, and you can block it or send it to voicemail.
US: T-Mobile	Scam Shield	Scam Likely labels and Scam Block. Turn on Scam Block in the T-Life app or by dialling #662#.
UK: all networks	Network filtering plus phone blocking	Ask your provider’s nuisance-call team what it offers; some landline blocking services cost extra.
India: Airtel	Spam warning (automatic)	Labels suspected spam calls and SMS as spam in real time; nothing to switch on.
India: Jio	MyJio app DND settings	Block commercial calls fully or by category under Do Not Disturb.

Free tiers checked October 2026. Carrier features change often.

Join your country’s do-not-call list

Do-not-call lists stop legitimate businesses from calling you with sales pitches. They don’t stop scammers, who ignore the law anyway. But once you’re registered, any sales call you get is either a mistake or illegal, which makes spam easier to spot and report.

US: register your mobile and landline free at DoNotCall.gov.
UK: register free with the Telephone Preference Service at tpsonline.org.uk or on 0345 070 0707. It’s the register UK companies must check before live sales calls.
India: call or send an SMS to 1909, or use TRAI’s DND app, to block all commercial calls and SMS or only some categories (banking, real estate, education, health and so on). TRAI says the block takes effect within seven days.

Where to report spam and scam calls

Reports feed the databases that carriers and phone makers use to label spam, and they help regulators find the people behind it. Note the number that called, the time and date, and what the caller said or asked for.

Country	Unwanted sales calls	Scam calls	If you lost money
US	DoNotCall.gov, or the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov	FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov	Call your bank first, then report to the FTC; for online fraud also the FBI’s ic3.gov
UK	ICO online or 0303 123 1113	Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 (Scotland: Police Scotland on 101)	Call your bank on 159, then Report Fraud
India	1909 or the TRAI DND app (within 3 days of the call)	Chakshu on Sanchar Saathi (calls, SMS or WhatsApp)	Call 1930 or file at cybercrime.gov.in

Reporting channels from the FTC, FCC, Ofcom, TRAI and Sanchar Saathi pages, checked October 2026.

In India, Sanchar Saathi also runs a line for international calls that show an Indian (+91) number: report them on 1800110420 or 1963. In the UK, Action Fraud was replaced by the Report Fraud service in December 2025, so older guides may still mention the old name.

Why spam calls still get through

Most filters work from a list of numbers that many people have already reported. A scammer using a brand-new number, or faking a real person’s number (spoofing), can get past that list for a while. That’s why calls often look local: some callers copy your area code to make you curious.

Screening features help with the gap because they don’t rely on the number alone. Call Screen and Apple’s Ask Reason for Calling make the caller speak first, which robocalls usually can’t do. If a caller claims to be your bank, a government office or a family member in trouble, hang up and call back on a number you already trust. Our guide to spotting AI voice-clone scam calls explains why a familiar voice is no longer proof.

If it still doesn’t work

Real calls are being blocked: save the number to Contacts. On Google Phone, open the call and tap Not spam. On a Galaxy, check Block numbers and switch to Only block high-risk scam calls.
The Caller ID and spam protection option is missing on a Galaxy: Smart Call isn’t offered on every carrier or model. Use your carrier’s tool or install the Google Phone app instead.
Spam goes straight to voicemail and fills it up: blocking on the phone doesn’t stop voicemail. Ask your carrier about voicemail blocking.
The same scam keeps calling from different numbers: that’s spoofing. Blocking each number won’t help much, so turn on screening and report the pattern.
Calls are worse after you answered one: answering or pressing a key tells robodiallers the number is live. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail.

If you’re also worried that a scam call led to something more serious, read how to tell if your phone has been hacked. More phone safety guides are in our security hub and Android hub.

FAQ

How do I permanently block spam calls?

No setting blocks every spam call forever, because scammers keep switching numbers. The closest you’ll get is the phone’s spam filter, your carrier’s free blocker and call screening, with your number on the national do-not-call list.

Why do I still get spam calls after joining the Do Not Call list?

Do-not-call lists only bind legitimate businesses. Scammers ignore them, which is why you still need a spam filter. Any sales call you get after registering can be reported.

Should I answer a spam call to tell them to stop?

No. Answering, speaking or pressing a key confirms your number is active and can lead to more calls. Let it go to voicemail and block or report it.

Does blocking a number stop texts too?

Usually yes. On Galaxy, Pixel and iPhone, a blocked number can’t call or text you through the built-in apps. It doesn’t block messages in third-party apps such as WhatsApp.

Are third-party call blocker apps safe?

Many are legitimate, but they often ask for access to your contacts and call history. Start with your phone’s built-in filter and your carrier’s free tool, and read an app’s privacy policy before you install it.