Some hotline calls again and yet another SMS with an ominous package notification – unknown numbers can be really annoying. But on the smartphone there are ways to fight back.
Unfortunately, spam calls and messages are very common. Once your own number has landed on the list of fraudsters, it is difficult to get rid of the annoying attacks. Luckily, both Android and iOS offer different ways to block unknown or unwanted contacts. TECHBOOK shows how it’s done.
Block contacts on Android smartphone
In Android there are several ways to block calls and messages from individual numbers or unknown numbers in general.
The fastest way to block is with our video instructions:
Method 1: Block Individual Contacts
Open the phoneapp and click on it Three point menu top right corner. Click on the option call log.
Now select a contact or an unsaved number that you want to block. A menu will now appear, tap on the option here Block/Spam report.
Now the OS asks if you really want to block the number – confirm with To block. There is also an option to report the number as spam. This can help identify and block this sender as untrustworthy. If so, check the box before blocking Report call as spam.
You can find out here which spam numbers you should beware of at the moment: You should not answer these numbers at the moment
Method 2: Block calls from unknown numbers
Spam calls and messages usually come from unknown numbers. There is an option in Android to block them from the outset. But beware, calls and messages from friends or acquaintances with a new number or other important contacts that are not saved will no longer get through.
- Open the phoneapp and click on it Three point menu
- Choose the option Ideas out of
- Scroll to the entry Blocked Numbers
- Include the slider Unknown around
In the same window, you can also add individual numbers to the block list by clicking Add number and typing in the specific number.
Many Android manufacturers also offer additional functions for blocking numbers. So there is under the option Blocked Numbers often settings like blocking private numbers, certain words in SMS, and even blocking an entire area code.
Block Contacts on iPhone
Also in iOS there are several ways to block calls and messages of individual numbers. You can also generally mute unknown callers.
Method 1: Block Individual Contacts
Open the Phone app and click on the tab call log. Now select a contact or number you want to block by tapping the “i” on the right edge.
Now scroll down to the end of the page and click on Block callers. Confirm the selection in the pop-up with block contact.
Method 2: Mute unknown caller
iOS also has the option of muting unknown numbers directly and sending them to voicemail. Here too, however, calls from friends or acquaintances and other important contacts can no longer get through.
- Open the Ideas on iPhone
- Locate Phone from the list of options
- Select Silence unknown caller
- Toggle the slider on Unknown callers to mute
As with Android, you can also change the list in the phone settings Blocked Contacts care for. Click for it Add contact … and then select items from the list.