How to Block Spam and Unknown Calls on Your iPhone or Android Phone

Unwanted calls are more than annoying. Some are scams. Your phone has built-in tools that can help. The steps below come from Apple’s and Google’s support pages. Menus can look different depending on your phone model and software version.

On an iPhone: Block One Number

1. Open the Phone app and tap Recents.
2. Tap the number you want to block, or the small “i” (Info) button in Classic view.
3. Scroll down and tap Block Caller.

Apple says a blocked caller can still leave a voicemail, but you will not get a notification.

On an iPhone: Screen Unknown Callers

1. Open Settings and tap Apps.
2. Tap Phone.
3. Scroll to Screen Unknown Callers and choose Never, Ask Reason for Calling, or Silence.

You can also turn on Call Filtering under Phone settings. Missed calls from unknown numbers then go to a separate Unknown Callers list. A caution: a doctor’s office or pharmacy may call from a number you have not saved, so check your voicemail and filtered list now and then. These steps apply to recent iPhone software (Apple’s pages refer to iOS 26 and iOS 17).

On a Pixel or Android Phone App: Filter Spam

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap More options, then Settings.
3. Tap Caller ID and spam, and turn on See caller ID and spam.
4. Turn on Filter spam calls if it appears.

To report a call, open the Phone app, tap the call, then tap Block or Report spam. Google notes that not every spam call can be detected, and that filtered calls still appear in your call history. These steps are for the Phone app by Google. Phones from other makers may use different menus, so search your phone maker’s help page.

What the FTC Says

The FTC says call blocking is your best defense against unwanted calls. The National Do Not Call Registry is free, but being on it will not stop scammers from making illegal calls. If you get an illegal robocall, hang up, do not call back and do not press a number. You can report calls at DoNotCall.gov, and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Never give out your Social Security number, bank details or gift card numbers to an unexpected caller.

More on Seniors Tips

• Tech Support Scams: What to Do When a Scary Pop-Up Appears
• Fake Package Delivery Texts: How to Spot Them and What to Do

Sources

• Apple Support: Block phone numbers, contacts, and emails on your iPhone or iPad
• Apple Support: Manage unknown callers on iPhone
• Google Phone Help: Use caller ID & spam protection
• FTC: How To Block Unwanted Calls
• FTC: How to Stop Unwanted Calls