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    3 min read 5 stepsJuly 12, 2026Verified July 2026

    How to Block Robocalls and Spam Calls on Your Phone

    Turn on free call-blocking and spam-labeling tools built into iPhone and Android to cut down on scam and robocall interruptions.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Safety & Privacy
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    robocalls
    spam calls
    scam prevention
    phone settings

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Turn on Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone)
    2. 2.Turn on Caller ID & Spam Protection (Android)
    3. 3.Check with your carrier for free spam-blocking
    4. 4.Register your number on the Do Not Call list
    5. 5.Never press a number to "opt out"
    1

    Turn on Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone)

    ~17s
    Open Settings, scroll down and tap Phone, then tap "Silence Unknown Callers." Turn this on and calls from numbers not in your contacts will go straight to voicemail without ringing.

    Quick Tip

    Voicemails still come through, so you won't miss anything truly important. You just won't be interrupted by the ring.

    2

    Turn on Caller ID & Spam Protection (Android)

    ~15s
    Open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings, then "Caller ID & spam." Turn on "See caller and spam ID" and "Filter spam calls" to have suspected spam calls flagged or silenced automatically.
    3

    Check with your carrier for free spam-blocking

    ~15s
    AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile each offer a free spam-blocking service (AT&T Call Protect, Verizon Call Filter, T-Mobile Scam Shield). Search your carrier's name plus "call protect" to find the free sign-up page and confirm it's active on your line.
    4

    Register your number on the Do Not Call list

    ~15s
    Visit donotcall.gov and add your phone number for free. This won't stop illegal scam calls, since scammers ignore the list. But it does reduce legitimate telemarketing calls, making it easier to notice which calls are actually suspicious.
    5

    Never press a number to "opt out"

    ~30s
    If a robocall tells you to "press 1 to be removed from our list," don't. That confirms your number is active and can lead to more spam calls, not fewer. Just hang up and let your phone's spam filter handle it going forward.

    Warning

    Never give out personal information, verify your identity, or make a payment to anyone who called you unexpectedly, even if they claim to be your bank or a government agency. Hang up and call the organization back using the number on their official website or the back of your card.

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    Robocalls and spam calls are one of the most common ways scammers reach people, often pretending to be the IRS, a bank, a package delivery service, or a relative in trouble. Both iPhone and Android phones now include free tools that automatically flag or silence these calls before they ever interrupt you, and carriers offer additional free spam-blocking services on top of that.

    These built-in tools work by comparing incoming numbers against known spam and robocall lists, or by silencing any call from a number that isn't already in your contacts. None of this requires downloading a third-party app or paying for anything — it's all included in the phone you already have.

    If a scam call does get through, the safest response is to hang up. Real government agencies, banks, and delivery companies do not threaten arrest, demand gift cards, or ask for your Social Security number over the phone. Source: fcc.gov/consumers/guides/stop-unwanted-robocalls-and-texts.

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    robocalls
    spam calls
    scam prevention
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    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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