How to Block Spam Calls on Android

Unwanted calls can interrupt your day, and some are more than a nuisance. If your Android phone keeps ringing with sales calls, recorded messages, or suspicious offers, you may be wondering how to stop them.

You can block spam calls on Android using tools that are already built into many phones. The exact steps depend on which Phone app you use. This guide covers the Google Phone app found on many Android phones, plus the different settings used by Samsung Galaxy phones.

Step 1: Find out which Phone app your Android uses

Android phones do not all have exactly the same menus. Many phones, including Google Pixel models, use the Phone app from Google. Samsung Galaxy phones generally use Samsung’s own Phone app, so their instructions are different.

1. Find the Phone app on your Home screen or in your app list.
2. Open it.
3. Look for the three-dot More options menu, usually near the top of the screen.
4. Tap More options, then Settings.
5. Look at the settings list for Caller ID and spam or Caller ID and spam protection.

If you see Caller ID and spam, follow the Google Phone instructions in Step 2. If you see Caller ID and spam protection, skip to the Samsung instructions in Step 3.

Tip: If your phone’s menus do not match these instructions, use the Settings search field and search for “spam” or “caller ID.” Menu names can vary by phone maker, software version, and mobile carrier.

Step 2: Turn on spam filtering in the Google Phone app

The Google Phone app can identify callers and warn you when a number may be spam. On supported phones, you can also ask it to filter calls identified as spam so they do not ring normally.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap More options (the three dots).
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Caller ID and spam.
5. Turn on See caller ID & spam, if it is not already on.
6. If the option appears, turn on Filter spam calls.

When spam filtering is active, calls identified as spam are filtered automatically. Google says filtered calls remain in your call history, but you do not receive missed-call or voicemail notifications for them. You can still check the call history and voicemail.

Some Pixel phones show a Spam and Call Screen menu or offer automatic Call Screen options instead of the Filter spam calls switch. If your phone shows those options, follow the protection choices displayed on your device.

Good to know: Caller identification may send information about calls from numbers that are not in your contacts to Google to help identify businesses or potential spam. Review the information shown when you enable the feature if you want to understand how it works.

Step 3: Turn on spam protection on a Samsung Galaxy phone

Samsung uses its own Phone app and calls its spam identification feature Smart Call. Depending on your Galaxy model, software version, and carrier, the available options may differ or may not be offered.

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap More options (the three vertical dots).
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Caller ID and spam protection.
5. Turn on the feature at the top of the screen, if it is available.
6. Review the terms and privacy information, then tap Agree if you want to continue.
7. Turn on Block spam and scam calls, if that option appears.
8. Choose Block all spam and scam calls or Only block high-risk scam calls, depending on how much filtering you want.

Blocking all identified spam is the stricter option. Blocking only high-risk calls is less restrictive and may be a better starting point if you are concerned about missing legitimate calls.

Careful: Spam filters can occasionally mistake a genuine caller for spam. If you are expecting a call from a doctor, delivery driver, school, or business, check your recent calls and voicemail if the call does not come through.

Step 4: Block a specific phone number

Automatic spam protection will not catch every unwanted caller. If the same number keeps calling, you can block it yourself.

In the Google Phone app:

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Go to your recent calls.
3. Tap the call from the number you want to block.
4. Tap Block or Block/report spam, if shown.
5. Follow the confirmation prompt.

On a Samsung Galaxy phone:

1. Open the Phone app and tap Recents.
2. Tap the number you want to block.
3. Open the call details or the available menu.
4. Tap Block and confirm if asked.

The blocked number should no longer ring through to your phone. The wording and location of the block option can vary slightly between models.

Step 5: Report spam calls and correct mistakes

Reporting a call as spam can help improve caller identification. It also gives your phone a record that you do not want calls from that number.

1. Open the Phone app and find the unwanted call in your recent calls.
2. Tap the call or press and hold it.
3. Choose Block or Report spam, depending on the options shown.
4. Follow the prompts to confirm.

If a genuine call is incorrectly labelled as spam in the Google Phone app, open the call in your recent history and tap Not spam, if available. You may also be able to unblock the number from that screen.

Step 6: Decide how to handle unknown numbers

You may see an option to block calls from unknown or private numbers. Be aware that “unknown” can mean different things in different Phone apps.

On some phones, it means numbers that hide their caller ID. On some Samsung Galaxy models, Block calls from unknown numbers can also stop calls from numbers that are not saved in your contacts.

Before switching this on, consider whether you receive calls from new customers, healthcare offices, tradespeople, schools, or delivery services. If you rely on calls from people who are not in your contacts, a broad unknown-number block could make you miss something important.

Troubleshooting: If spam calls are still getting through

Spam protection can reduce unwanted calls, but it cannot guarantee that every one will be blocked. Try these checks if the calls continue:

• Check the right setting is on. Google Phone uses Filter spam calls on supported devices; Samsung uses Block spam and scam calls when available.
• Block repeat callers individually. Add persistent numbers to your blocked list from the recent calls screen.
• Check for updates. Open the Play Store or Galaxy Store and check whether your Phone app has an update available.
• Ask your mobile carrier about call protection. Some carriers offer their own spam identification or blocking service.
• Be cautious with third-party caller ID apps. Review their permissions and privacy information before installing one. You do not need an extra app to use the built-in features described here.

For more detail, see the official Google Phone app help page or Samsung’s Smart Call support guide.

Enjoy a quieter phone

A few settings can make a noticeable difference to the number of unwanted calls that reach you. Start with your phone’s built-in spam protection, block repeat callers, and check your recent calls occasionally so you do not miss a genuine message.