Spam calls and scam texts are more than annoying. Many are phishing attempts designed to steal banking details or install malware. Fortunately, modern phones and carriers include strong tools to filter most of them automatically.
Android: built-in protection
Caller ID & spam protection (Google Phone app)
- Open the Phone app → three dots → Settings → Caller ID & spam.
- Turn on See caller & spam ID and Filter spam calls.
Suspected spam calls go straight to voicemail without ringing.
Call Screen (Pixel and some other phones)
Settings → Spam and Call Screen → Call Screen. Set unknown numbers to be screened automatically. The assistant answers, asks the caller who they are, and shows you a live transcript.
Samsung
Phone app → three dots → Settings → Caller ID and spam protection (powered by Hiya). Choose to block high-risk calls.
Block individual numbers
Open recent calls → tap the number → Block / report spam.
Filter spam texts
- Google Messages: Settings → Spam protection → on.
- Samsung Messages: Settings → Block numbers and spam.
iPhone: built-in protection
Silence Unknown Callers
Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. Calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent outgoing calls or Siri suggestions go to voicemail silently.
Call Screening (newer iOS)
Settings → Apps → Phone → Screen Unknown Callers asks unknown callers for their name and reason before your phone rings.
Filter texts
Settings → Apps → Messages → Unknown & Spam → Filter Unknown Senders. Messages from unknown numbers go into a separate list without notifications.
Block a number
Recents → tap the ⓘ → Block this Caller.
Photo by Lê Minh on Pexels
Carrier tools
Most carriers offer free spam blocking apps or network-level filtering (for example, spam alerts, call blocking and "scam likely" labels). Check your carrier's app or website. Many can block international spoofed numbers at the network level.
Third-party apps (use carefully)
Apps like Truecaller, Hiya or RoboKiller can identify more spam, but some upload your contacts or collect lots of data. Read permissions carefully, and prefer built-in tools where possible.
Golden rules against scams
- Never share OTP codes, passwords or card numbers with callers, even if they claim to be your bank.
- Don't click links in unexpected texts about parcels, taxes or prizes.
- Hang up and call back using the official number on the company's website.
- Report spam in your phone app. It trains filters for everyone.
Watch the settings
Summary
Turn on spam filtering in your Phone and Messages apps, use Call Screen or Silence Unknown Callers, add your carrier's protection, and never share codes with callers. Together they stop the vast majority of spam and scam attempts.
Newer phones often include smarter call screening. Compare current models on infozme's top-rated phones.
Cover photo by Moose Photos on Pexels. This article was written with the help of AI.
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