How to Block Spam Calls and Messages on Android and iPhone

Unwanted calls and messages have become a daily nuisance. There are effective ways to block them on both Android and iPhone.

The phone rings and it is another unknown number. The message preview shows a suspicious offer or a delivery notification for a package that was never ordered. Spam calls and messages are more than just an annoyance, they can also be dangerous. Many of these communications are attempts at phishing or scams that try to extract personal information.

Fortunately, both Android and iPhone have built in features to handle spam. Third party apps can also provide additional protection. The methods vary slightly between operating systems, but the goal is the same: reduce the number of unwanted communications.

"Spam calls and messages are often the entry point for more serious scams. Blocking them at the source prevents potential security issues down the line."

Built in Features on Android

Android devices with the Phone by Google app have a built in spam protection feature. Open the Phone app, tap the three dots menu, and go to Settings. Look for "Caller ID and spam" and enable the "Filter spam calls" option. This directs suspicious calls to voicemail and shows a warning for calls from numbers identified as spam.

For messages, the Google Messages app also includes spam protection. Open the app, go to Settings, and enable "Spam protection." Messages identified as spam will be automatically moved to the spam folder. The phone will not notify about these messages, keeping the inbox clean.

Built in Features on iPhone

Apple provides a feature called "Silence Unknown Callers" in the Settings app. When this is enabled, calls from unknown numbers go directly to voicemail. Contacts, recent outgoing calls, and numbers in messages will still ring through. This feature is effective at stopping spam calls, though it might also block legitimate calls from numbers not in the contacts list.

For messages, iPhones do not have an automatic spam filter built in. However, users can report junk messages by tapping "Report Junk" on messages from unknown senders. This helps Apple improve its spam detection algorithms and blocks the sender on the user's device.

📊 Fact: Reports show that spam calls have increased by over 40 percent in the last two years. Features like caller ID and spam filtering have become essential for maintaining peace of mind.

Third Party Apps for Extra Protection

For users who want additional protection, third party apps like Truecaller and Hiya are available on both Android and iOS. These apps maintain extensive spam databases and can identify and block spam calls in real time. They also offer features like call recording and reverse number lookup.

When using third party apps, it is important to review the permissions they request. Some apps ask for access to contacts and call logs, which can raise privacy concerns. Reading reviews and checking privacy policies helps ensure the chosen app is trustworthy.