How To Block Unknown Callers on Android Smartphone

With the invention of portable cell phones came the freedom of being able to make calls, text, and nowadays even browse the web and use countless apps from home, work, vacations, the beach, the park, the forest, etc. Having this convenient portable device in your pocket at all times enables you to stay connected no matter where you are. On the flip side, this amazing privilege also comes with its downsides, such as the fact that besides staying connected, you can also be bothered at all times, especially if the people who are trying to reach you aren’t people you wish to speak to or even know.

Indeed, spam or junk calls can be truly maddening. And we tend to receive more and more of those calls every day. Telemarketers, robots, politicians, and thieves trying to steal our data or identity have become very successful in obtaining and constantly contacting our numbers. In fact, almost half of all incoming calls are spam. As such, we must learn how to block these annoying calls, especially on our children’s devices. In this article, we will do just that – find out how to block unwanted calls from unknown Callers number on Android.

How To Identify An Unknown Callers, Which Is Disruptive For Me

The best and simplest way to differentiate between a spam call of a robot or a person who is either trying to sell you something or steal something from you and a call of a new friend, colleague, someone you have met recently, someone who is trying to get in touch with you for genuine reasons that may benefit you, or someone whose phone number you don’t have yet or whose number has been accidentally erased from your phone, is to check the caller id. If the number is hidden, you can safely assume that the caller has certain reasons to stay anonymous and there is a good chance he or she is a spam caller. Hidden numbers go by different names on different phones and models.

A hidden number who wishes to remain anonymous will usually be displayed as ‘Unknown’, ‘Private number’, ‘Restricted’, ‘Hidden’, ‘Withheld’, or ‘No caller id’. If the phone number that has been bothering you is not hidden, you can identify spam callers by the fact that they are very persistent in their efforts to reach you. Either way, you can block all the unwanted calls, regardless of whether you can see their number or if it’s hidden.

Why Should You Need To Block Unknown Callers

If unknown callers keep bothering you, it’s best to simply block them. Why? For safety reasons. Persistent telemarketers and politicians, who are trying to sell their products, services, or views and simply won’t take no for an answer can sure be insanely irritating. However, those kinds of calls usually won’t take anything else but your time. Crooks and robots, on the other hand, will try to pull some evil jokes on you or even try to steal your data and identity. These kinds of calls can result in all sorts of financial, legal, and personal issues. As such, you should block unknown callers and prevent any trouble for yourself and your loved ones.

Way To Blocking Unknown Callers Number On Android Phone

Now we know how important it is to block unknown callers and keep our android phone data safe and secure. But can it be done? Sure, it can! Nowadays, most cell phones offer the option to block unknown numbers. The process of manually blocking anonymous calls is quick and simple on both iPhones, Android phones, and others. However, not all mobile devices offer this convenient feature. In this case, you will have to use a third-party call blocking app or ask your carrier whether they can help you.

1. The manual process of block unknown callers number for all kinds of mobile devices, including Android and iPhone

As long as a phone offers the option to block unknown numbers, the actual manual process of blocking unknown and unwanted calls tends to be quick and simple. However, it depends on the mobile device itself. Below you can find the step-by-step process for various popular cell phones. As our main focus is how to block unknown callers on Android devices, we will start with them.

Block unknown callers calls on Android phones (General and simplest process)

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app, which tends to be located at the bottom of the home screen.
• Step 2: Press the three-dot icon located in the top right corner.
• Step 3: Press ‘Settings’ in the drop-down menu.
• Step 4: Press ‘Block Numbers’ and check the ‘Block unknown callers’ button so that it becomes green.

Block unknown callers calls on stock Android 11

If your phone is powered by stock Android or is a part of the Android One program, there are three methods to block calls.

Blocking spam calls:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app, which tends to be located at the bottom of the home screen.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Recents’ option located at the bottom.
• Step 3: Press and hold the number you wish to block and select ‘Block/Report Spam’ in the pop-up menu.
• Step 4: Check (or uncheck) the box next to ‘Report Calls as Spam’ and press ‘Block’.

Blocking contacts:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Contacts’ option located at the bottom.
• Step 3: Click on the Contact you wish to block.
• Step 4: Click on the three-dot ‘More’ icon located in the top right corner.
• Step 5: Press ‘Block Numbers’ on the drop-down menu.

Adding and removing blocked numbers :

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Click on the three-dot ‘More’ icon located in the top right corner.
• Step 3: Press ‘Settings’ in the drop-down menu.
• Step 4: Press ‘Blocked Numbers’.
• Step 5: Press ‘Add a Number’ or the ‘X’ next to a specific number to unblock it.

Using the Messages app :

• Step 1: Open the ‘Messages’ app.
• Step 2: Press and hold the messenger you wish to block.
• Step 3: Press the ‘Block’ icon located in the top right corner.

Block Unknown Callers Calls on Samsung Android Phones

The three methods used to block unknown numbers on Samsung phones are similar to the methods used on phones powered by stock Android.

Blocking a spam call:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Recents’ option located at the bottom.
• Step 3: Click on the number you wish to block.
• Step 4: Press the ‘Info’ icon on the expanded menu.
• Step5: Press the ‘Block’ icon located in the bottom right corner.

Blocking a contact:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Contacts’ icon located at the bottom.
• Step 3: Click on the number you wish to block.
• Step 4: Press the ‘Info’ icon on the expanded menu.
• Step 5: Press the three-dot ‘More’ icon located in the top right corner.
• Step 6: Press ‘Block Contact’ on the drop-down menu.

Adding a number to block:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Press the three-dot ‘More’ icon located in the top right corner.
• Step 3: Press ‘Settings’ on the drop-down menu.
• Step 4: Press ‘Blocked Numbers’ located at the top.
• Step 5: Press a number you wish to add and then press the green plus symbol.

Block Unknown Callers Calls on LG Android Phones

LG offers two simple ways to block unwanted numbers and calls.

Using the Phone app’s Call Logs tab:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Press the ‘Call Logs’ tab.
• Step 3: Press the ‘Info’ icon located next to the contact/number you wish to block.
• Step 4: Press ‘Block’.

Using the Phone app’s Dial tab:

• Step 1: Press the ‘Dial’ tab.
• Step 2: Press the three-dot ‘Menu’ icon located in the top right corner.
• Step 3: Press ‘Call Settings’.
• Step 4: Press ‘Call Blocking & Decline with Messages’.
• Step 5: Press ‘Blocked Numbers’.
• Step 6: Press the ‘Add’ icon.
• Step 7: Select either ‘Contacts’ (press the contact you wish to block and tap ‘Done’), Call Logs (press the number you wish to block and tap ‘Done’), or New Number (enter the phone number you wish to block and tap ‘Done’).

Block Unknown Callers Calls on HTC Android Phones

HTC offers two similar methods for blocking calls to any phone powered by stock Android.

Using the Phone app’s Call History:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Press ‘Call History’.
• Step 3: Press and hold the contact/number you wish to block.
• Step 4: Press ‘Block Contact/Block Caller’.

You can access the blocked contacts list by pressing the three-dot icon, which is located in the top right corner while the Call History tab is open.

Using the Messages app:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Messages’ app.
• Step 2: Press and hold the contact/number you wish to block.
• Step 3: Press ‘Block Contact’.

Block Unknown Callers Calls on Huawei Android Phones

Huawei also offers two easy ways to block unknown numbers and unwanted calls.

Blocking spam calls:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Press the three-dot ‘More’ icon located in the top right corner.
• Step 3: Press ‘Blocked’.
• Step 4: Press the cog – ‘Settings’ icon.
• Step 5: Press ‘Blocklist’.
• Step 6: Press the ‘+’ symbol and enter the phone number you wish to block.

Blocking contacts:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Press ‘Contacts’ located at the bottom.
• Step 3: Press the contact you wish to block.
• Step 4: Press the three-dot ‘More’ icon.
• Step 5: Press ‘Block Contact’.

Blocking Unknown Callers Calls on EMUI 8

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Open the dialer.
• Step 3: Press the three-dot icon located on the right side and select ‘Blocked’ in the pop-up menu.
• Step 4: Press ‘Blocked rules’ located at the bottom of the screen.
• Step 5: Press ‘Call Block Rules’.
• Step 6: Check the ‘Block unknown/hidden numbers’ option.

Blocking Unknown Callers Calls on OnePlus

OnePlus runs on OxygenOS, which is very similar to stock Android. To block unwanted calls on this type of phone, follow the steps below.

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Press the ‘Menu’ icon located at the top right corner.
• Step 3: Press ‘Settings’ and then ‘Block settings’.
• Step 4: Select ‘Blocked numbers’ and press the ‘+’ icon to add a number.
• Step 5: Enter the number you wish to block and press ‘Block’.

Blocking Unknown Callers Calls on Xiaomi (MIUI 10/11)

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Recents’ option located at the top.
• Step 3: Open the dialer.
• Step 4: Open the menu.
• Step 5: Press the ‘Blocklist’ and make sure it is activated (at the top).
• Step 6: Open ‘Blocked Numbers’.
• Step 7: Activate the ‘Block calls from hidden numbers’ option.

Blocking Unknown Callers Calls on iPhones

iPhones are different. They are not Android-powered, but they use iOS instead. Nonetheless, the process of blocking calls is still very straightforward, at least if you’re using iOS 7 or later. If you are using an older iOS version, keep in mind that the exact steps may vary.

Blocking spam calls:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Recents’ option located at the bottom.
• Step 3: Press the ‘Info’ button located next to the number you wish to block.
• Step 4: Press ‘Block This Caller’.

Blocking contacts:

• Step 1: Open the ‘Phone’ app.
• Step 2: Click on the ‘Contacts’ option located at the bottom.
• Step 3: Click on the Contact you wish to block.
• Step 4: Tap ‘Block This Caller’.

2. Blocking unknown callers calls on all kinds of smartphones, by using third-party call blocking apps

If none of the call-blocking methods listed above works for you, don’t worry. You can try blocking unknown numbers with the use of third-party call blocking apps. Nowadays, there are tons of apps available that can block calls, block spam messages, block private and unknown numbers, and perform a large variety of caller identification tasks. The call blocking apps for Android phones are available on Google Play Store, the ones for iOS can be downloaded from the Apple App Store. Check out which are the top 6 third-party call blocking apps in chapter 4.

3. Blocking unknown callers calls through your carrier

If your mobile device doesn’t offer the option to block unwanted calls or if you tend to change your phone often, it may be best to block those annoying callers and get rid of them once and for all in a more systemic way. Luckily, some carriers (including the country’s ‘big four’) allow you to block specific phone numbers on a service level.

AT&T

Every AT&T’s plan comes with the free Call Protect service, which blocks spam calls and unknown callers, enables users to create a personal block list, and warns customers about ‘nuisance’ callers. In addition to this basic service, you can also get the Call Protect Plus service, which costs $4 a month per line. This service offers caller ID, custom call controls, and reverse number lookup. You can get either one of those services at AT&T or through the Call Protect app available for both Android phones and iPhones.

Verizon

Verizon allows their customers to detect and block anonymous calls with Call Filter – a free or paid service. The free version can be added to all prepaid and postpaid plans and it’s compatible with most phones. It includes call screening, sending suspicious numbers directly to voicemail, and reporting numbers.

The paid version (Call Filter Plus) costs either $3 a month per line or $8 a month for accounts with three lines or more. It adds a caller ID, a spam look-up feature, a spam risk meter, and the option to create a custom block list. In the unlikely case that your phone doesn’t support Call Filter, you can get Verizon’s stand-alone Call Filter Spam Block service, which will automatically block risky spam calls and send notifications for other low-risk spam calls. This will block calls and prevent them from reaching your phone or voicemail.

In addition, Verizon also offers general Spam Alerts in your caller ID, which notify you of a potential threat and enable you to simply ignore the call.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile provides Scam Shield with a Scam Block service to protect its customers from unwanted calls. The free version of this service gives you a second number that keeps your main number private, scammer ID, call blocking, enhanced Caller ID, a Scam Block component, and a way to change your number. The paid version (Scam Shield Premium) costs $4 a month per line (it’s free for Magenta Plus customers) and enables customers to create their ‘always block’ lists, receive voicemail-to-text messages, and it send some caller categories directly to voicemail. Their app is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Sprint

Even though Sprint is now officially a part of T-Mobile, they still offer the same benefits and options to their old customers. They allow their users to block numbers and calls through their account’s online portal, which is only available to account owners. Accounts owners are the only ones who can make changes and the changes made apply to all devices associated with that certain account. However, there are no options to block numbers for Wi-Fi Calling subscribers.

Other carriers

Other carriers that offer some kind of call blocking options include U.S. Cellular, Boost Mobile, Google Project Fi, and many other MVNOs.

4. Other call-blocking options for unknown callers calls

In addition to these most conventional and simple ways to block unknown and unwanted calls listed above, there are some other ways to make sure you never get any spam calls again.

Add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry

The first one is to add your number to the National Do Not Call Registry offered by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The registration process is quick and simple. You simply need to visit DoNotCall.gov and add one or a maximum of three phone numbers. To confirm your application, you will have to provide a valid email address.

Keep in mind, that this option won’t stop spam calls right away. It will take some time (even up to a month) for the FTC to register your number on the no-call list and process the information. If you will still receive spam calls after a month, you can file a complaint about the specific numbers that keep harassing you.

Redirect calls to voicemail

The second option is to divert unwanted calls to voicemail. This method may not be available on all Android devices.

• Step 1: Select the contact you wish to block.
• Step 2: Open the contact’s page and press the ‘Edit’ pencil icon.
• Step 3: Once the Edit Contact screen opens, press the three-dot icon to open the pop-up menu.
• Step 4: Activate the checkbox next to ‘All calls to Voicemail’.

Use Google Voice

Google Voice offers a call blocking feature, which is designed to send the blocked caller to your voicemail or inform them that the number they are trying to reach is no longer in service. To use this option, visit the Google Voice website and log into your Google Voice Account (if you don’t have one, you will have to create it). Go to ‘Settings’, select ‘Voice Settings’, and finally press ‘Contacts’. Select the contacts you want to block and press ‘Save’.

Which Call Blocker Apps Are The Best For Unknown Call Blocking?

As we have mentioned before, nowadays there are lots of different call blocking apps available. Some of them are designed for Android phones, others for iPhones, and most of them have both an Android and an iOS version available. You can download and install a call blocking app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store (depending on the phone you have) and use it to block unknown calls, private numbers, spam text messages, and more.

The top 6 most reliable and popular call blocking apps are listed below.

1. Mr. Number : Mr. Number is a free and ad-free app that protects customers from spam calls and texts. It allows you to block specific numbers, and entire area code or even country. It sends private numbers straight to voicemail and reports them.
2. Call Blocker : This app offers a free, yet ad-supported version and a paid ad-free version. Both versions will block unwanted calls and messages and offer a Whitelist and a Call Reminder feature, designed to help you identify unknown numbers. The paid version will also give you Private Space, where you can safely store text messages and call logs.
3. Calls Blacklist : The basic ad-supported version is free, the ad-free premium version, on the other hand, costs $2. The app offers similar spam blocking options as the two mentioned above.
4. Truecaller : This is yet another popular and user-friendly app that offers spam blocking, call records, caller ID, blocking by area or country code, and a free voice calling feature. The free version contains ads and it will access your phone book and the content in their database.
5. Call Control : This app will also allow you to block private, unknown numbers, certain area codes, messages, check the caller’s identity, create personal blacklists, and more.
6. Hiya : Hiya is an ad-free app that offers various call blocking options, a simple user interface, fraud detection, spam call auto-block, and caller ID (the last two features are available in the premium version.

The exact setup process may vary depending on the app you choose to use, however, the basic steps include downloading the app from your Play/App Store, installing it onto your phone, and adding numbers to your blacklist/block tab. You can add a number through your contacts, call logs, messages, or add them manually. Most apps also allow you to block spam calls, suspected scams, hidden numbers, and numbers with specific area/country codes.

Final Opinion

As getting tons of unwanted calls and messages from unknown or private numbers is not only incredibly irritating but can also be quite dangerous, we should definitely make sure to block those annoying spam/scam callers. You can do so manually on your smartphone, as most smartphones offer this option and the setup process is usually quick and simple.

In the unlikely event that your mobile device does not offer you the option to block certain unwanted numbers, you can simply install a third-party call blocking app. You can also try blocking calls through your carrier – this option is especially convenient for those people who tend to change their cell phones often without changing the carrier. If for some reason none of the options listed above fits your needs, you can also try some other, less-known techniques, such as adding your number to the National Do Not Call Registry, diverting unwanted calls to voicemail, or using Google Voice.