Random calls from hidden numbers, spoofed caller IDs, and repeat spam callers can make an Android phone feel noisy fast. Start by deciding whether you want to block private callers, filter suspected spam, or stop non-contact callers from interrupting you.
The quickest fix is in the Phone app. After that, use spam filtering, Pixel Call Screen, Samsung tools, carrier protection, or contacts-only controls for a stricter setup.
Start With The Android Phone App Block
On phones using Phone by Google, open the Phone app, tap More, then go to Settings > Blocked numbers. Turn on Unknown.
This blocks private or unidentified callers. It does not block every regular phone number just because that number is not saved in Contacts.
Phone by Google supports most Android devices running Android 9.0 and above. When your phone uses a different dialer, open the Play Store page for Phone by Google, then tap Install or Update.
Filter Spam Calls In Phone By Google
This fixes suspected spam calls that still show a normal caller ID. Open the Phone app, tap More options, choose Settings, and open Caller ID & spam.
Turn on See caller ID & spam, then turn on Filter spam calls. When Filter spam calls is missing on automatic Call Screen devices, use Call Screen; spam auto-blocking is handled there.
Fix Numbers That Still Ring
The most common cause is that Unknown in Phone by Google means private or unidentified caller ID, not every number missing from your contacts. Open the Phone app, go to Call history, tap the call from the number, then choose Block / report spam.
For a stricter contacts-only setup, use Google Fi contact-only protection on a Fi line, or use Modes to silence calls from people outside your allowed list. Android system settings filter interruptions rather than creating a carrier-level block.
Use Samsung Galaxy Call Blocking
On a Samsung Galaxy phone, open the Phone app, tap More options, then go to Settings > Block numbers. Turn on Block calls from unknown numbers.
Samsung does not include this feature on every model. When the toggle is missing, use Caller ID and spam protection or block the caller after it appears in Recents.
For scam and spam protection, open Phone > More options > Settings, turn on Caller ID and spam protection, tap Agree, then open Caller ID and spam protection. Turn on Block spam and scam calls, then choose Block all spam and scam calls or Only block high-risk scam calls.
To block one number after it calls, open Phone > Recents, select the number, tap Menu, then choose Block > Block.
Screen Unknown Callers On Pixel
This fixes calls you do not recognize by screening them before you answer. Open the Phone app, tap More, go to Settings, open Spam and Call Screen or Call Screen, then choose Call Screen. Turn Maximum protection, Medium protection, or Basic protection on or off.
On Pixel 7 and newer, open Protection level > Automatically screen calls. Automatic screening needs a SIM from Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, or the US, while manual Screen call also works with a SIM from France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, or Spain. When no Call Screen settings appear at all, your device or SIM country is not supported.
Choose caller types such as Spam, Possibly faked numbers, or First-time callers. On Pixel 6 and older, use Unknown call settings. When a call arrives, tap Screen call. After the transcript appears, choose a suggested response, pick up, or hang up.
Silence Non Contact Callers With Modes
Android Modes, including Do Not Disturb, help when you want quiet time without blocking calls at the carrier level. On Android 14 and later, open Settings > Modes, choose a mode such as Do Not Disturb, then under Notification filters, choose People. Earlier Android versions have no Modes menu: open Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb instead, or Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb preferences on Android 8.1 and below.
Configure Calls so only contacts or starred contacts interrupt you. Turn off Allow repeat callers to stop repeat unknown callers from breaking through.
This setting does not stop critical notifications, and Android settings vary by phone. If this method fails, use your Phone app's spam filter or your carrier's call-blocking tools instead.
Turn On Carrier Spam Protection
Your carrier can stop scam and spam calls before they reach your phone.
- 1.Google Fi: Open Google Fi > Account > Privacy & security > Spam and contact settings > Manage contact settings, then turn on Block known spam. For contacts-only calling, open Google Fi > Phone Settings > Privacy & security > Spam and contact settings > Manage contact settings, then turn on Only receive calls and texts from your phone contacts.
- 2.T-Mobile: Open T-Life or Scam Shield and turn on Scam Block. You can also dial #662# from the T-Mobile device; prepaid users use #662#.
- 3.Verizon: Open Call Filter > Spam Filter, then choose the categories to block or send to voicemail. On incompatible devices, open My Verizon > Products & plan perks or Services & perks, then manage Call Filter.
- 4.AT&T: Open AT&T ActiveArmor > Calls > Call Routing Settings, then set spam calls to Block or voicemail. Use My Block List for specific unwanted numbers.
- 5.Cricket: Call Defense automatically blocks potential fraud calls and warns about suspected spam on eligible lines. To change settings, use My Account online or the myCricket app.
Control Calls Coming Through Google Voice
Use this when unwanted calls come to your Google Voice number, not your regular carrier number. Once Screen Calls is on, Google Voice screens every call to your Voice number on all your devices rather than automatically blocking callers outside your contacts.
Open the Voice app, tap Menu, then go to Settings. Under Calls, turn Screen Calls on.
When a screened call comes in, press 1 to accept it or press 2 to send it to voicemail. Callers who are not in Google Contacts are asked to speak their name.
To filter suspected spam for Google Voice, open Voice > Menu > Settings, then under Security, turn on Filter spam.
Google Voice custom call forwarding rules are created on the web for specific contacts or contact labels. On a computer, go to voice.google.com > Settings > Calls > Custom call forwarding > Create a rule, enter contacts or contact labels, choose Send to voicemail, then select Save.
Limit Calls On Supervised Phones
Supervised child accounts have tighter calling controls than a normal personal Android phone. For a child's supervised Android phone running Android 14 or later, open Family Link, select the child's account, then go to Controls > Contacts, calls & text > Allowed calls & texts. Supervised smartwatches need Wear OS 5 or later.
Choose Contacts I add & limited groups or Only contacts I add. On a phone, this applies to calls through Google Dialer and messages through Google Messages. Samsung Messages supports these contact limits only on the child's supervised smartwatch.
Google Fi group owners can also open Google Fi, tap the member's name under Account, choose Help protect [member's name] > Only allow calls and texts from phone contacts, then turn Only allow calls and texts from phone contacts on or off.
If this method fails, use the personal-phone options still available on the supervised device, starting with Phone app blocking and spam filtering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Android block every number that is not in my contacts?
Not with the standard Phone by Google Unknown toggle. That setting blocks private or unidentified caller ID. Regular unsaved numbers still ring unless spam filtering, Do Not Disturb, Google Fi contact-only protection, Family Link, or a carrier tool handles them.
Why do I not see Filter spam calls in the Phone app?
Devices with automatic Call Screen do not show a separate Filter spam calls option because spam auto-blocking is handled through automatic Call Screen.
Can I block one unknown number after it calls me?
Yes. In Phone by Google, open Call history, tap the call, then choose Block / report spam. Samsung Galaxy phones also let you block a number from Recents.
What is the closest Android option to contacts-only calling?
Google Fi customers can use Only receive calls and texts from your phone contacts. For supervised child accounts, Family Link can limit calls and texts to approved contacts. Android Modes can silence non-contact callers, but that is not carrier-level blocking.