How to stop spam calls on iPhone and Android

Most spam calls can be stopped before your phone rings, using settings that are already on your phone. Here’s the order we’d do it in: built-in screening first, then your carrier, then the Do Not Call Registry, and report the calls that still get through.

iPhone: screen or silence unknown callers

On recent iOS versions (Apple Support):

1. Open Settings, tap Apps, then Phone.
2. Tap Screen Unknown Callers and pick one:
   • Ask Reason for Calling: unknown callers are asked why they’re calling before your phone rings. This is the one we recommend for most people.
   • Silence: calls from numbers not in your contacts go straight to voicemail.
   • Never: everything rings, as before.
3. Under Call Filtering, turn on Spam filter too.

Before you do it, save the numbers that matter as contacts: your doctor, your kid’s school, the pharmacy and delivery services. Saved contacts always ring through. Calls aren’t screened while you’re roaming, and calling 911 turns screening off for 24 hours.

Pixel (and other Android phones with Phone by Google)

Pixel’s Call Screen can answer suspicious calls for you (Google Help):

1. Open the Phone app and tap More, then Settings.
2. Tap Spam and Call Screen (or Call Screen).
3. On Pixel 7 and newer, under Protection level, turn on Automatically screen calls and choose what to screen: spam, possibly faked numbers and first-time callers.

Automatic screening works in the US and a few other countries. It doesn’t run while roaming, and it may not work while Bluetooth headphones are connected.

Samsung Galaxy: look in the Phone app’s settings for caller ID and spam protection, and Scam Detection on One UI 9.

Ask your carrier

All major US carriers offer free spam-blocking or call-labeling tools, and some sell paid upgrades. The FCC keeps a list of carrier call-blocking resources. The FTC suggests asking your provider what’s free before paying for an app (FTC).

Register with Do Not Call (it helps, with limits)

Add your number at donotcall.gov. It stops sales calls from companies that follow the law. It doesn’t stop scammers, but with fewer legitimate sales calls, the scams are easier to spot.

When a robocall gets through

The FTC’s advice: hang up, don’t call back, and don’t press any number, not even “press 1 to be removed.” Then report it:

• No money lost: report at donotcall.gov.
• Lost money or shared information: report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Include your number, the caller ID number (even if you think it’s fake), any callback number, and the date and time.

What about call-blocking apps?

They can help, but read the privacy policy first: some want access to all your contacts, and some charge a fee. Try the free built-in tools for two weeks before you add an app.

Our take

On iPhone, Ask Reason for Calling is the best balance: real people say why they’re calling, and robocalls usually hang up. On a Pixel, automatic Call Screen does the same job. Save your important numbers first, and most of the noise goes away.

Prices checked on 2026-10-23.

Sources

• Official Apple Support: Manage unknown callers on iPhone (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• Official Google Help: Screen your calls before you answer them (checked Oct 23, 2026)
• Official FTC: How to block unwanted calls
• Official National Do Not Call Registry