Have you been receiving annoying calls from unknown numbers late at night or while you are in the middle of a work meeting? These are spam calls and can often be really uncomfortable..
Luckily, if you have an Android phone, you can easily block these calls on your mobile so you can enjoy uninterrupted phone communication. From the settings of your device or in other apps, you can find the perfect solution for you.
So, if you want to protect your privacy and have more effective control over your incoming calls, don't miss these tips to block spam calls on Android.
How does a spammer find your phone number?
Spammers acquire your mobile number in many ways, especially through donations to fake charities, contest entry, calling companies with caller ID, etc.
A good part of these spammers are telemarketers, who buy third-party phone numbers. Therefore, it is essential that you do not give away your phone number easily.
Other forms of spam include automated robocalls and fraudulent calls in which the person on the other end poses as a bank agent or computer technician. They ask for your credit card information to solve problems with your computer or other matters.
How to block spam calls on Android
If you have an Android phone, you can protect yourself from spam by using the filtering features that are built into the default dialer app.
Also, there are many third-party apps on the Google Play Store that also offer this service. However, it is better not to risk downloading them as some of them have a reputation for stealing personal information.
Brands like Samsung include their own dialer apps, and while they may look different than Google's Phone app, enabling spam filtering through them is just as easy.
To make sure you have the best tools to protect yourself from spam, use Google's Phone and Messages apps, that come in many high-end Android phones. If you have a Samsung, you can download these apps from the Play Store.
How to block spam calls with the Google Phone app
If you want to avoid spam calls on your Android phone, you must activate the spam filter in the Google Phone app. To do this, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Phone app.
- Click on the three dots located in the upper right corner and select "Configuration".
- Find the section Assistance and select “Caller ID and Spam”.
- Activate the option “Filter spam calls” so that spam calls are automatically blocked.
Please note that sometimes the spam filter can be very sensitive. For example, it may happen that some legitimate calls are blocked. However, you can ignore spam calls by turning on the option “View caller ID and spam” from Settings.
Block spammers manually
To block spam calls from a specific number on Android, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Phone app
- Press and hold the phone number you want to block
- Choose "Lock" and ready! In this way you will no longer receive calls from that number.
Block spam calls from other apps
If your phone doesn't come with spam filtering, there are several apps on the Google Play Store that can help you block unwanted calls. Some well-known applications are Call Blocker – Caller ID, Calls Blacklist – Call Blocker and Truecaller: Caller ID & Block.
Although many of these apps are trustworthy, there is a risk that developers will share or sell your personal data. Therefore, it is recommended to use the default spam filtering methods instead of third-party apps.
Truecaller is a reliable option if you need to block spam calls. However, this app has faced some issues in the past, such as a data breach in 2019 that put the data of more than 47.5 million people in India at risk.
Let the Google Assistant do the talking for you
One of the benefits of owners of the Google Pixel 6 (and earlier models) is that they can access exclusive features such as Call Screening. With this tool, the Google Assistant can answer calls and ask for the reason for them.
This resource is to help users avoid unwanted calls and spam. However, this feature is only available in 10 countries.
To turn on Call Screening on a compatible Google Pixel device, follow these steps: Open the Phone app, go to Settings > Spam & call filter. Then, tap each option and select Automatically filter and Decline robocalls.
While the call screening feature works fine most of the time, its limited availability is a problem for those who have a compatible Google Pixel but live in other regions. Fortunately, Google is continually working on expanding this feature to other areas.
Meanwhile, the above-mentioned methods should be helpful to block spam calls on Android.
How to avoid commercial calls in Spain
Fortunately, In Spain there are tools that will help you request not to receive commercial calls. It is always important to know what resources we have to avoid these types of calls.
The Organic Law on Data Protection, which regulates the handling of consumer data, has advertising exclusion lists. Companies should consult these lists before starting an advertising campaign and avoid contacting users registered on them.
La Robinson List is another exclusion list applicable in Spain, managed by the Spanish Association of Digital Economy. Joining this list is free for users, while companies must pay to consult it.
These lists protect from entities with which you have never had a previous relationship, so they do not apply to companies of which you have been or are a client. There is a period of 3 months from when you sign up until you stop receiving commercial communications.
If companies fail to comply with this and continue to call you 3 months after signing up for the Robinson List, you can report it to the Spanish Agency for Data Protection. The fines established by the AEPD are high, so it is a good option to take these measures.
Having an Android free of spam calls is possible
Blocking spam calls on Android can be valuable for those who want to maintain their privacy and avoid annoying interruptions in their daily lives. With the use of specific applications or options built into the operating system, you can filter unwanted calls effectively.
In addition, we recommend taking into account aspects such as constantly updating spam lists, the importance of feedback, and the possibility of customizing blocking options according to individual needs.
With all these tips, you have the chance to enjoy a safer phone free from unwanted interruptions.