How to block spam calls and messages on Android?

Android can help you block and get rid of annoying spam calls. If you block a number in Android settings, it will be blocked from all apps on your phone forever and without having to do anything with your network provider. Google introduced the ability to block numbers a few years ago in previous versions of Android. However, accessing and adding numbers to the blocked numbers list has changed a bit. Here are all the ways you can block annoying spam calls and messages on Android.

How to block numbers using Google Dialer?

If you have the Google Dialer on phone , you can easily block unwanted numbers. To block a number, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Dialer app
2. Tap the menu button, next to the microphone icon, at the top of the app.
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Blocked numbers
5. Tap Add number
6. Write the phone number you want to block.

Alternatively, you can select any number in your recent calls list and select “Block/Report Spam.” Reporting spam is optional. You can turn it off and simply block the number. However, reporting will send the number to Google and possibly mobile carriers, which will help with the filters used for spam calls.

It's also a good idea to enable Google Dialer's “ Caller ID & Spam ” settings

1. Once again, tap the menu button next to the microphone icon in Google Dialer.
2. Go to Settings > Caller ID & Spam.
3. Enable “Caller ID & Spam” and “Junk Call Filtering”.

This is not a guarantee that all spam calls, however it is useful for filtering known spam numbers.

How to block numbers with the Messages app?

Google's default SMS app, Android Messages, can also add numbers to device .

1. Open Messages
2. Tap the menu button in the top right corner
3. Tap Blocked contacts
4. Tap Add number
5. Write the phone number you want to block

You can also long-press any contact in your message list and tap the circular “Block” icon in the top-right corner of your screen. Once again, you’ll be asked if you want to report spam messages along with blocking the number.

How to screen and block calls with Google Assistant?

If your device is running Android 9 or later, you can let Google Assistant screen for incoming calls from numbers you don't know (potential spam calls). The AI ​​can block numbers.

1. When your phone rings, press the “screen call” button.
2. Google Assistant can answer the call for you, while you can watch the call on the screen. As the call continues, you have a few options: answer the call, hang up, ask Google Assistant to ask questions or provide canned responses to the caller, and report the call as spam.
3. If the call is actually spam, tap “Report as spam.” Google Assistant will ask to remove the number from your call list on your behalf, then end the call. The number and information will be sent to Google for possible inclusion in the spam list. The number will be blocked from your phone.

What happens when you block spam numbers on Android?

After you block a number on Android, you will no longer receive spam calls and messages from that number. These calls will be sent directly to voicemail, while messages will appear as if they were sent successfully, but will never be read.

Although you won't see incoming spam calls and won't receive missed call notifications from blocked numbers, filtered calls will still appear in your call history. Blocked numbers can also leave you voicemails. You won't receive a notification from your voicemail, but you can listen to them by checking your voicemail. Similarly, messages from these numbers won't appear in your inbox and you won't receive notifications, although they're still sent to your phone. You can find blocked messages in the Messages app:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Press the Menu icon.
3. Tap “Blocked messages”.

From here you can read, delete, or forward messages from a blocked number in your inbox.