Spam calls are a universal annoyance, but your Samsung Galaxy S26+ running One UI 8.5 has several built-in tools to fight back. You can block individual numbers, enable automatic spam filtering, and even silence all unknown callers. The process is straightforward and gives you control over who can reach you.
Block a Number from Your Call Log
Open the Phone app and tap the Recents tab. Tap the number you want to block, then tap Menu (the three horizontal lines with three dots) below the number. Tap Block, then tap Block again when prompted.
This is often the quickest method for dealing with a number that just called you. You can also add numbers from Phone app > More options > Settings > Block numbers. Samsung documents this as adding the number to your blocked list; voicemail blocking for a specific caller may require your carrier.
Block a Contact or Number from Messages
If you're getting spam texts in Samsung Messages, open the Samsung Messages app and find the conversation with the unwanted number. Touch and hold the conversation, tap More, then tap Block and confirm.
You can also manage message blocking from Samsung Messages by tapping More options (the three vertical dots), then Settings > Block numbers and spam. This keeps the text-blocking path aligned with Samsung's current Messages controls.
Manage Your Entire Blocked List
To see who you've blocked or manually add a number, open the Phone app, tap More options (the three vertical dots), then go to Settings > Block numbers. Your blocked-number controls are on that screen.
To add a number, type it in the Add phone number field and tap the plus icon. You can also pick a number from Recents, Message, or Contacts. To unblock someone, tap the red minus icon next to that number.
Turn On Automatic Spam Protection
Smart Call is Samsung's built-in caller ID and spam protection feature, and Samsung notes that the features are provided by Hiya. To enable it, open the Phone app, tap More options (the three vertical dots), then go to Settings > Caller ID and spam protection and turn on the switch. Review the terms and privacy prompt if it appears.
To block spam automatically, tap Block spam and scam calls, then choose Block all spam and scam calls or Only block high-risk scam calls. Samsung notes that Smart Call may not be available with certain carriers.
Block Calls From Unknown Numbers
Go back to Phone app > More options > Settings > Block numbers. Turn on Block calls from unknown numbers.
Samsung describes this as blocking incoming calls from numbers that are not saved in your contacts or identified by Smart Call. That is narrower than every unsaved caller, and it does not guarantee voicemail handling. If you are worried about missing doctors, delivery drivers, or other legitimate callers, leave this off and block repeat offenders one by one.
Use and Configure Smart Call
Your Galaxy S26+ features Samsung's Smart Call as part of Caller ID and spam protection. Samsung describes Smart Call as a way to identify callers even when the number is not in your contacts, block spam calls, report spam numbers, and search for local businesses from the Phone app.
Samsung's Smart Call examples label calls as Caller ID, Not suspected to be spam, Suspected to be spam, or Potential fraud. Turn on Caller ID and spam protection in Phone settings to use it, but availability can vary by country, device, and carrier.
What Actually Happens to Blocked Calls
Samsung documents blocked-number management as adding numbers to the Phone or Samsung Messages blocked list, not as a guaranteed voicemail or busy-signal behavior. If you need to block voicemail from a specific caller, Samsung says to contact your carrier directly.
For texts, manage blocked senders in Samsung Messages through More options > Settings > Block numbers and spam. Delivery, voicemail, and notification behavior can vary by carrier and app version, so check the blocked list if you need to confirm whether a number is still blocked.
Report Spam Texts to Your Carrier
For spam texts, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). AT&T says texts forwarded to 7726 are free for AT&T customers. T-Mobile says it replies with a confirmation text and forwards the report to its Security Center for analysis. Verizon tells customers to forward suspicious texts to S-P-A-M (7726) and delete them.
Some carriers may ask for the sender's number or other follow-up information. Do not click links or reply to the spammer while you are reporting the message.
Consider Extra Call Blocking Carefully
If Samsung's built-in controls are not enough, you can look at carrier tools or third-party caller ID apps, but treat them as separate services from Smart Call. Review the app permissions and privacy terms before setting any app as your default caller ID or spam protection service.
For voicemail blocking from a specific caller, Samsung says to contact your carrier directly. For spam texts, use your carrier's 7726 reporting path and Samsung Messages' blocked-number controls before adding another app.