Stop the Madness: How to Block Spam Calls and Robocalls
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Are you sick and tired of all the spam calls you get? The FCC has tried to crack down on such calls, while lawmakers on the federal and state levels have passed legislation to address the problem. But there are certain actions you can take on your own.
Android devices and iPhones come with built-in features for blocking specific phone numbers, while mobile carriers offer their own blocking tools. Several third-party apps also strive to block telemarketing calls. You can even register your phone number with the FTC's Do Not Call Registry, though that won't necessarily stop scammers and disreputable telemarketers from calling anyway.
(Editor's Note: If you’re receiving unwanted robotexts, there are steps you can take to block them, too.)
How to Block a Phone Number
Robocallers cycle through thousands of phone numbers, and many include the same telephone prefixes as your own phone number. To block them as they come in on your iPhone, open the Phone app and hit Recents. Tap the Info icon next to the number you want to block and choose Block this Caller > Block Contact. However, since spammers have a habit of jumping from one number to another, this remedy only helps if the caller uses the same number more than once.
A more effective but drastic measure is to open Settings > Apps > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers and turn on Silence Unknown Callers to automatically silence all calls from numbers that aren't in your contacts list. Calls are sent to voicemail and appear on your Recents lists so you can return the call if it's legitimate.
The steps for blocking numbers on an Android phone vary based on the manufacturer and operating system. You should be able to open the Phone app and select recent calls or call history. Tap the number you want to block and find the command that says block and/or report as spam. Confirm the request to block the number.
Some Android devices also let you block all unknown callers. While the process varies among different devices, you typically open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, and select Settings. On a Samsung device running Android 14, enable Block numbers and enable Block calls from unknown numbers. On a Pixel device running Android 15, Go to Blocked numbers and turn on Unknown.
Block Callers with Mobile Carrier Tools
Your mobile carrier will also provide built-in tools to help you block suspected spam calls. These apps offer extra features not already available on your phone, though some more advanced items may require an additional subscription to use.
AT&T Customers: ActiveArmor is a free app (iOS, Android) that filters out potential fraud and spam calls, labels telemarketers as "nuisance calls," and sends unknown callers to voicemail. The app also checks your passcodes and provides data breach alerts. For $3.99 per month, ActiveArmor Advanced Mobile Security adds VPN, identity monitoring, reverse phone lookup, caller ID, and safe browsing features. On a family plan? AT&T Secure Family (iOS, Android) can manage all your devices.
Verizon Customers: Verizon offers Call Filter service for customers with compatible phones (iOS, Android) and postpaid plans. The free version detects and filters spam calls. It alerts you when an incoming call is likely spam, lets you report unsolicited numbers, filters out numbers with the same first six digits as yours, and will block robocalls based on your set level of risk. For $3.99 a month per line, the paid version of Call Filter adds Caller ID, a personal spam list, and other features.
T-Mobile Customers: T-Mobile has Scam Shield for postpaid T-Mobile and Metro customers. The app (iOS, Android) features enhanced Caller ID; legitimate calls get a Number Verified tag and spam show a warning. It also offers an extra proxy phone number, so you can avoid sharing your regular number, and the chance to change your real number for free once a year. For $4 per month, Scam Shield Premium adds voicemail-to-text, block lists, and an option to send certain calls to voicemail.
Block Callers with These Apps
Don't want to rely on your wireless carrier? There are also free third-party apps that can help you block incoming spam calls, including Hiya, RoboKiller, TrueCaller, and Call Control. Each service offers a premium tier that kicks in extra features if you subscribe.
Hiya: Hiya (iOS and Android) warns you of robocalls and scam calls based on a database of known scammers and telemarketers. It can detect spoofed calls that use the same initial digits as your own number and allows calls from your contacts. You can also type a number into the app, and Hiya will reveal its source and if it's a suspected spam number. A premium version with a call screener and other features is available as a seven-day trial, then costs $3.99 per month or $24.99 per year.
RoboKiller: RoboKiller (iOS and Android) blocks spam calls and messes with the spammers by automatically answering spam calls with pre-recorded nonsense. You can even create your own bot responses. The app includes a database of known spammers, though you can add specific numbers to block. RoboKiller has three paid tiers with a one-week free trial. RoboKiller Lite is $3.99/month or $29.99/year, Standard is $4.99/month or $39.99/year, and Premium is $5.99/month or $49.99/year.
Truecaller: Truecaller (iOS, Android) identifies all incoming calls so you know if an unfamiliar number is safe. It can automatically block calls based on known spammers, as well as numbers you manually add. You can look up names and numbers to get information on them, and you can make phone calls to your contacts from the app. Premium removes all ads and adds more features for $9.99/month or $74.99/year. Family and Gold plans up the cost and include more features.
Call Control: Call Control (iOS, Android) uses crowdsourcing to help block spam calls. While the basic app is free, it lacks most of the core features. The premium version adds CommunityIQ, which consults thousands of community reports and Do Not Call complaints to determine which calls are spam. You can tell the app to block calls from any numbers similar to your own, look up numbers, and even connect a compatible landline. Subscribe for $9.99 per quarter or $29.99 per year.
Spam Call Blocking on a Landline
Without a mobile app, preventing robocalls and spam calls on a landline is more challenging. However, there are still several options available to help. Check with your carrier to see if it offers any features to cut down on spam calls. Some landline phones also come with built-in call blocking technology. If you already have a phone and it doesn't have this feature, you can buy a separate call blocking device. Call Control even offers a standalone device for blocking calls at home.
Register on the Do Not Call List
It's also a good idea to register your number with the FTC's Do Not Call Registry. While scammers won't respect the FTC's Do Not Call Registry, it can't hurt to register your landline and mobile phone numbers. From the website, you can report unwanted calls, verify if your phone number is already registered, and add it if not.
If you think you may have already registered with the Do Not Call Registry, select Register Your Phone and then click Verify Here. Type your phone number and email address, then click Submit. At the next screen, click Verify to confirm. You’ll then receive an email indicating whether your number is already registered.
If you're not registered, select Register Your Phone and then click Register here. Enter your phone number and email address, then click Submit. Confirm your information and click Register. You’ll be directed to check a message in your email. Click on the link in the message to complete your registration.
You can also report robocalls and scam calls to the FTC. The agency can't act on your specific complaint, but it will suggest steps you can take and collect the information you provide in its own fight against sleazy telemarketers. From the DNC homepage, click Report Unwanted Calls. You’ll be asked to fill out all the details about the phone call in question, then submit the information. Alternatively, you can call the FTC at 1-888-382-1222 to report an unwanted call.
