How to Stop Spam Calls
Robocalls, fake delivery calls and “your car's extended warranty”. Here's how to make your phone filter them out so only people you know get through.
You can't stop every spam call, but you can stop hearing them
Scammers use fake numbers that change constantly, so blocking one number rarely helps for long. The real fix is to let your phone silence or screen unknown callers automatically, so only people you know actually ring.
FIXTurn on the protections
Turn on as many as suit you.
Go to Settings › Apps › Phone (on older iOS, Settings › Phone). Turn on Call Blocking & Identification for any spam-filter app you have, and look at Screen Unknown Callers or Silence Unknown Callers (step 2).
Open the Phone app, tap the ⋮ menu › Settings › Caller ID & spam, and turn on See caller and spam ID and Filter spam calls. On Samsung's Phone app, it's under Settings › Caller ID and spam protection.
In Settings › Apps › Phone, choose Screen Unknown Callers to have your iPhone ask callers who they are before it rings, or Silence Unknown Callers to send numbers not in your contacts straight to voicemail.
In the Phone app's Settings › Call Screen (on Pixel and some other phones), set Spam and Possible fake callers to Automatically screen or Decline. The Google Assistant answers and asks the caller why they're calling.
In the Phone app › Recents, tap ⓘ next to the number and choose Block Caller.
In the Phone app › Recents, touch and hold the number and tap Block / report spam. Reporting helps protect other people too.
Most carriers offer free spam blocking, often switched off by default. In the US: T-Mobile Scam Shield, Verizon Call Filter and AT&T ActiveArmor. Download your carrier's app or check its website, and turn on scam blocking.
- In the US, register at donotcall.gov. Legitimate telemarketers must stop calling within 31 days. Scammers ignore it, but it cuts down sales calls.
- Report scam calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Ask your carrier about stronger blocking options, and consider not answering any unknown number. Real callers leave a voicemail.
FAQCommon questions
Why do I get spam calls from numbers that look local?
Scammers fake (“spoof”) caller ID to look like a nearby number, because people are more likely to answer. Blocking that number won't help since it's usually not really theirs.
Should I answer and tell them to stop?
No. Answering, pressing keys or speaking confirms your number is active and can lead to more calls. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail.
Will silencing unknown callers block my doctor or deliveries?
Those calls go to voicemail instead of ringing. Save important numbers to your contacts so they always ring.
How did they get my number?
Data breaches, number-guessing software, online forms and public records. It isn't a sign that your phone has been hacked.