How to Block Spam Calls on Android
Android's built-in spam protection automatically identifies and silences suspected spam calls so your phone rings less for calls you do not want.
At a Glance
Open the Phone app
~17sOpen Phone app settings
~15sEnable spam and call screening (Google Phone app)
~32sQuick Tip
Turning on "Filter spam calls" is the most aggressive option. If you are worried about missing legitimate calls, start with just "See caller and spam ID" which shows warnings but still lets the phone ring.
Use Call Screen for unknown numbers (Pixel phones)
~22sEnable spam protection on Samsung phones
~27sWarning
No spam detection system is perfect. Legitimate calls can sometimes be flagged as spam, and some spam calls may get through. Always check your voicemail if you suspect you may have missed an important call.
You Did It!
You've finished reading: How to Block Spam Calls on Android
How well did this guide stick with you?
Need more help? Book a TekSure tech
Unwanted spam calls are one of the most frustrating parts of having a phone. Robocalls from fake warranty companies, scam calls pretending to be the IRS or Social Security Administration, and endless telemarketing calls interrupt your day and waste your time. Android phones have built-in tools to fight back.
The Google Phone app, which comes pre-installed on most Android phones and is the default calling app on Pixel phones and many other Android devices, includes a feature called spam and call screening. When this is enabled, Google's systems compare incoming calls against a database of known spam numbers. If a call matches a known spam number, your phone will display a warning before you pick up — or can be set to silence the call automatically without ringing.
The call screening feature goes a step further. When you receive an unknown call, you can tap "Screen call" instead of answering. Google Assistant answers on your behalf and asks the caller to state their name and reason for calling. You see the transcription in real time and can then decide whether to pick up, hang up, or mark it as spam. This is particularly useful for calls from numbers you do not recognize but that are not confirmed spam. It filters out robocalls without you having to speak.
Samsung phones running One UI have similar features through the Samsung Phone app, called "Smart Call" or "Caller ID and spam protection." The functionality is comparable — callers are checked against a database and warnings are displayed for suspected spam.
In addition to these built-in tools, your carrier may offer additional spam blocking. T-Mobile's Scam Shield, AT&T's Call Protect, and Verizon's Call Filter all provide additional layers of call screening, some free and some with a paid upgrade tier.
No system catches every spam call, but enabling these features greatly reduces the number that actually ring through and disrupt your day.
Rate this guide
How helpful was this guide?
Official Resources
Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →
← Previous
How to Add a Transit Card to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet
Next →
How to Safely Buy a Refurbished Phone
Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.
A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.
Learn more from official sources
Related Guides
How to Set Up a New iPhone
Got a new iPhone? This guide walks you through every step from turning it on to signing in with your Apple ID.
2 min read
How to Set Up a New Android Phone
A beginner-friendly walkthrough for setting up a new Android phone from scratch — including your Google account.
2 min read
How to Move Your Contacts to a New Phone
Don't lose your contacts when switching phones. Here's how to transfer them to iPhone or Android in minutes.
2 min read