How To Screen Calls On An Android Phone

I’m guessing I’m not unsocial successful getting overmuch scam and spam calls than ever before. As a result, Google and nan different Android telephone makers personification gradually added a scope of built-in features to observe and woody pinch unwanted callers. These spot having suspicious numbers flagged earlier you answer, being tin to artifact nuisance callers, and moreover getting AI to reply incoming calls for you. Putting these protections successful spot should spell a agelong measurement toward dealing pinch unwanted calls.

As accustomed connected Android, different models relationship different features. The line beneath was written utilizing a Google Pixel telephone pinch Android 15 and a Samsung Galaxy telephone pinch One UI 6.1. Other Android-based phones whitethorn disagree slightly, but you should find a akin group of devices available.

Spotting scam calls successful advance

Using a Pixel aliases different Android phone

When a telephone comes successful that isn’t from a number successful your contacts, nan Google Phone app preinstalled connected Pixel phones tin nonstop it to Google for checking. (If you’re not connected a Pixel phone, you tin still instal nan app connected different Android phones.) Google says it “gathers various signals astir nan call” during nan cheque — which I presume intends cross-referencing it against a database of numbers that personification been reported arsenic spam.

On astir phones, nan characteristic will beryllium enabled by default. To cheque its position from nan Phone app:

Using a Galaxy phone

If you’re connected a Samsung telephone and would alternatively instrumentality pinch nan built-in Samsung Phone app, there’s a akin characteristic called Smart Call. From nan Phone app:

That will walk you astir scam aliases fraud calls arsenic they recreation successful (in business pinch Hiya). The 2nd toggle switch, Block spam and scam calls, gives you nan action of automatically sending them to voicemail truthful you don’t get nan telephone notification aliases nan warning. You tin alteration this for each suspected spam and scam calls aliases only nan ones branded arsenic high-risk successful nan Hiya database.

Manually blocking numbers

Besides nan caller nickname features mentioned above, you tin too manually artifact numbers. That intends calls from that number will beryllium sent consecutive to voicemail, without a notification connected your phone.

Using a Pixel aliases different Android phone

To find nan database of blocked numbers (and unblock immoderate of them, if necessary), pat nan 3 dots successful nan top-right corner, past Settings and Blocked numbers. The adjacent aboveground lets you spot blocked numbers, unblock numbers, aliases artifact calls from unidentified callers.

Using a Galaxy phone

To find blocked numbers successful nan Samsung Phone app, unfastened nan Keypad tab. Tap nan 3 dots (top right), past Settings > Block numbers. The adjacent aboveground lets you spot blocked numbers, adhd aliases unblock numbers, aliases artifact calls from unidentified callers.

Getting AI to return nan call

Using a Pixel aliases different Android phone

One of nan astir useful AI-related features that Google has brought to its phones is Call Screen, which answers your calls for you.

In nan US, Call Screen tin activity automatically:

Outside of nan US, you only get nan Save Call Screen audio and Automatically delete older recordings and transcripts toggle switches.

If you’ve enabled automatic aboveground calling, nan AI adjunct kicks successful without you having to do anything. If not, aliases if nan telephone falls extracurricular nan automatic protection level settings, you’ll spot a Screen call fastener erstwhile a telephone comes in, connected pinch buttons to judge aliases diminution nan call. 

When a telephone is being screened, you get shown a transcript of what’s being said. Using nan buttons astatine nan bottom, you tin extremity aliases premier up nan telephone astatine immoderate constituent aliases proviso elemental smart replies (like saying you’ll telephone back). You tin find transcripts of screened calls connected nan Recent tab of nan Phone app.

Using a Galaxy phone

Samsung Galaxy phones personification point akin called Bixby Text Call. Your telephone will reply calls connected your behalf and transcribe what’s being said onscreen for you. From nan Samsung Phone app:

With nan characteristic enabled, you’ll spot a Text call fastener connected incoming telephone notifications. Tap this, and Bixby takes over; you’ll spot nan telephone play retired arsenic a matter reside onscreen. You tin usage nan buttons astatine nan apical and bottommost to subordinate nan call, extremity nan call, aliases nonstop 1 of your speedy responses.

To publication transcripts from erstwhile calls, caput to nan Recents tab successful nan Phone app. Tap nan reside bubble icon connected nan correct of immoderate erstwhile telephone to spot nan text.