iPhone
Screen calls from unknown numbers
Makes unknown callers identify themselves before your iPhone rings, or sends them straight to voicemail if you choose Silence.
Keep in mind: Expected callers whose numbers are not saved may be delayed by screening. Silence can send legitimate first-time callers directly to voicemail.
Setup
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps, then tap Phone.
- Open the setting for screening calls from unknown numbers.
- Choose Ask Reason for Calling for a balanced setup.
- If you want the most aggressive interruption reduction, choose Silence instead.
Android
Turn on caller ID and spam warnings
Shows warnings for suspected spam callers and identifies some callers or businesses that are not in your contacts.
Keep in mind: This identifies suspicious calls but does not automatically block them by itself.
Setup
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap More options, then Settings.
- Tap Caller ID and spam.
- Turn on See caller ID & spam.
Android
Automatically filter spam calls
Automatically prevents many suspected spam calls from ringing your phone.
Keep in mind: With Filter spam calls, you may not receive missed-call or voicemail notifications for filtered calls, although calls remain in call history and voicemail can still be checked.
Setup
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap More options, then Settings.
- Open Caller ID and spam and turn on Filter spam calls if that option appears.
- If you use a Pixel and Filter spam calls is not shown, open Spam and Call Screen or Call Screen and enable automatic call screening.
iPhone
Filter carrier-identified spam calls
Silences calls your carrier identifies as potential spam or fraud, sends them to voicemail, and moves them to the Spam list.
Keep in mind: A legitimate call can occasionally be mislabeled as spam. Review the Spam list if you are expecting an important call.
Setup
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Apps, then tap Phone.
- Find the section for filtering unknown and spam calls.
- Turn on Spam.
Android
Block private or unidentified callers
Automatically declines calls from numbers that do not provide caller ID.
Keep in mind: This can block legitimate callers who intentionally hide their number. It does not block ordinary unsaved numbers that still show caller ID.
Setup
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap More options, then Settings.
- Tap Blocked numbers.
- Turn on Unknown.
iPhone
Screen messages from unknown senders
Separates messages from unknown senders and suppresses most notifications from them, making scam texts less disruptive.
Keep in mind: Legitimate first-time messages can land in Unknown Senders. Review that folder when you are expecting a verification code or new contact.
Setup
- Open the Messages app.
- From the conversation list, tap the Filter button.
- Tap Manage Filtering.
- Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.
- If needed, use Allow Notifications to permit time-sensitive categories such as verification codes.
Android
Turn on Google Messages spam protection
Detects suspected spam or scam messages and can hide them in the Spam & blocked folder.
Keep in mind: Legitimate messages can occasionally be classified as spam, so review the Spam & blocked folder if you are missing an expected message.
Setup
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile picture or initials.
- Tap Messages settings, then Protection & Safety.
- Tap Spam protection.
- Turn on Enable spam protection.
Verizon
Turn on Verizon Call Filter free spam protection
Detects suspected spam and automatically forwards high-risk spam calls to voicemail.
Keep in mind: Verizon says spam detection can mislabel or block legitimate callers. Add important numbers to Contacts or Allowed Numbers.
Setup
- Open Verizon Protect or the Call Filter app, depending on which app Verizon shows for your device.
- Open Call Filter and choose the free spam-protection option if setup is required.
- Confirm activation and keep the Spam Filter enabled. Verizon's default blocks high-risk spam by sending it to voicemail.
- On iPhone, follow the setup prompt to enable Call Filter under Call Blocking & Identification in Phone settings.
- Review Allowed Numbers and add important callers if needed.
iPhone
Allow calls and messages only from selected people
Uses an iPhone Focus such as Do Not Disturb to allow notifications only from people you choose.
Keep in mind: This can silence legitimate calls and messages from people who are not on your allow list. Use it only if that tradeoff works for you.
Setup
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Focus, then choose Do Not Disturb or another Focus.
- Tap People or Choose People.
- Choose Allow Notifications From.
- Add the contacts you want to be able to reach you.
- Turn the Focus on when you want contacts-only interruption control.
Android
Allow calls and messages only from selected people
Uses Android Do Not Disturb or Modes to limit calls and messages to people you allow.
Keep in mind: This can silence legitimate callers and messages that are not on your allow list. Repeat-caller exceptions may also let some calls through.
Setup
- Open Settings on your Android phone.
- Open Modes, then choose Do Not Disturb. On some phones, this may appear under Notifications or Sound & vibration.
- Under Notification filters or allowed interruptions, open People.
- Choose which calls and messages are allowed.
- Limit allowed interruptions to your selected contacts or favorites.
- Turn on Do Not Disturb when you want contacts-only interruption control.