Check Your Smartphone Call Blocking Options

Cell phones are a fantastic convenience, but they come with surprises like spammers or unwanted phone calls. Maybe your cell phone number was recycled. Or, your number mistakenly appeared in some business directory. Regardless of the cause, learn how to block callers with these services. Also includes a tip on how to block your number.

Unwanted Phone Call Categories

There are two categories of unwanted calls. In one situation, you don’t know the caller. These calls are often from spammers or robocallers. Over the years, these people have gotten more sophisticated and employed tactics like “Caller ID spoofing.” This is where the caller appears to be from your area code or prefix, even if they are dialing from another country. While there are steps you can take, the problem needs to be addressed by the phone companies.

The second category is usually situational and involves people you know. Sometimes you have a contact record for them, but you really don’t want to have those people call you. One advantage of using your mobile app is you can also filter out people you don’t know.

The Do Not Call Registry

The Do Not Call Registry database is maintained by the FCC. A primary focus is to prevent unsolicited calls from telemarketers. It’s also an easy way to block spam calls until stricter enforcement actions go into place. All US residents can register their cell phone numbers in the National Do Not Call Registry . Your registration should take effect 31 days after you register. To verify your number is in the Do Not Call Registry, dial 1-888-382-1222.

There is still some confusion about who can still call you. The NDNCR will not stop all telemarketing calls. The FTC provides more information in a FAQ publication. The following groups are still allowed to call:

  • Political organizations
  • Charities (limitations on people calling on behalf of charities)
  • Telephone surveyors, so long as they don’t offer to sell anything.
  • Companies with which you have an existing business relationship
  • Companies you agreed with in writing to get their calls.

When I get these calls from spammers, I like to document the calls using Outlook. This won’t deter the callers but does give me a record if needed.

Check Your Smartphone Options

Regardless of whether you have an Android or iOS phone, there are some built-in options. Both smartphone systems allow you to block calls. The process is similar, although the cell phone model menu options differ. For example, in the screen snap below, I can find an option to block an individual contact. This works well if you still need to communicate via email. The Block numbers menu option is available on a contact record.

Setting panel to block contact in Android.
Option to block phone number

Another option is to allow phone calls only from people in your contacts application. This Android option is available from the Do Not Disturb settings panel.

Do Not Disturb panel showing calls allowed from contacts.
Setting to accept calls from contacts

Leverage Your Cell Phone Carrier

This is one area that has improved over the years. Some telephone networks have implemented account management features. These allow you to block certain services or phone numbers even down to an individual number. If you haven’t checked in a while, it might be worth calling tech support or using their community forum. For example, Verizon Wireless has a service that allows you to block calls. And AT&T introduced its ActiveArmor service to help protect you.

It’s important to note that just because you know the caller’s number doesn’t mean your cell phone or carrier does. For example, let’s say you wanted to block your ex-boss. Although you know their number, they may block their information, so it isn’t passed to your cell carrier. Instead, the cell carrier sees them like every other caller who has also blocked Caller ID. In some cases, these services will allow you to block all people like this. The downside to this “all or none” strategy is that some of your friends may have to unblock their number to call you.

Sometimes carriers will put restrictions on this feature. For example, they may limit the number of blocks or charge a fee. Additionally, some providers don’t offer this feature for prepaid calling plans. The FCC has compiled a list of services and tools.

Another area where mobile carriers may offer help is harassment. Most states have laws defining what phone harassment is or cyberstalking. Your service provider may prefer you file a police report before contacting them. Some may only proceed if a subpoena is issued. For example, ATT has an Annoyance Call Bureau.

To the best of my knowledge, there isn’t a way to filter by group. So, for example, I may have various contacts grouped or categorized as “coworkers,” but I can’t tell the phone just to let those folks in.

Mobile Apps and Call Blocking

If your cellular carrier or phone’s operating system doesn’t allow call blocking or you have an older phone, you can probably find a program in your app store. Ideally, this is a program that doesn’t require you to “jailbreak” your phone. Jailbreaking your phone may cause problems with the manufacturer and impact your warranty, so you should consider that option carefully.

Before downloading an app, I would carefully read what other users have posted as sometimes these comments show which phones and carriers people are using. I’d also suggest using a mobile security program to ensure the program isn’t creating new security or privacy problems. Typically, these apps have tiered services meaning you get certain free features but have to pay for others.

One example is Hiya, which is good for detecting and blocking neighborhood scam calls. Another is YouMail, which replaces your voicemail. Both services also rely on users alerting them of scams.

Mobile Security Service

While early versions of these services dealt with viruses, many now include some call management features. One free example is Webroot’s Secure Anywhere Mobile for Android. The company also offers a premium version with more features.

In the screen snap below, you can see where I can block unknown callers, such as those people who block Caller ID or individual numbers.

Webroot Secure Anywhere Mobile settings.
Webroot software phone options

Manage Your Calls With Google Voice.

This last option should work if your phone or carrier is restrictive. Google Voice is a convenient option if you get a new cell phone number to give out your Google Voice number instead. I like to think of the service as a pre-call processor.

Basically, the free service allows you to create different groups of callers with different rules. For example, you could have a group for “friends and family” and have these people ring through to your cell phone and home phone. In contrast, you might have a group called “vendors” that can only reach you at set times and hear a different greeting. Also, you can have people you don’t know go straight to voicemail.

How to Block Your Phone Number

On rare occasions, I needed to block my phone number when making calls. Sometimes you don’t want your caller information to flow through. In those instances, there are some suggestions for US residents that you can use with either a landline or a cell phone. The first is to precede the number you wish to dial with *67. If you have Caller ID blocked on your phone, you can try *82 to let the number show.

Your cell phone may also have an option to prevent your number from showing up. It varies based on the handset, OS version, and the carrier.