How to stop spam calls on Android
Open the Phone app, tap More options, then Settings, then Caller ID and spam: turn on See caller ID & spam and Filter spam calls. On a Pixel, spam blocking sits in Call Screen; on a Samsung Galaxy, turn on Caller ID and spam protection and Block spam and scam calls.
Some spam still gets through, because a scammer can show any number. Vicem is an AI on its own number that answers the calls you miss and turns scam callers away.
Updated Checked on October 13, 2026
How do I turn on Caller ID & spam protection?
- Open the Phone app, tap More options, then Settings.Google, Phone app Help: Use caller ID & spam protection
- Tap Caller ID and spam and turn on See caller ID & spam. Google turns it on by default.Google, Phone app Help: Use caller ID & spam protection
- Turn on Filter spam calls: you get no missed-call or voicemail alert for them, but they stay in your call history.Google, Phone app Help: Use caller ID & spam protection
- To block one number: open the call in your history and tap Block or Report spam.Google, Phone app Help: Use caller ID & spam protection
What does Pixel Call Screen add?
- Pixel phones with automatic Call Screen have no Filter spam calls switch: spam blocking is one of Call Screen’s options.Google, Phone app Help: Use caller ID & spam protection
- Open Phone, tap More, Settings, Spam and Call Screen, then Call Screen, and pick Maximum, Medium or Basic protection.Google, Phone app Help: Call Screen
- Call Screen asks who’s calling and why; when it decides a call is spam, your phone hangs up.Google, Phone app Help: Call Screen
- Automatic screening works in five countries: Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the US.Google, Phone app Help: Call Screen
How do I stop spam calls on a Samsung Galaxy?
- Open the Phone app, tap More options (three dots), then Settings.Samsung support, Block spam calls with Smart Call on your Galaxy phone
- Tap Caller ID and spam protection and turn it on. Samsung calls this Smart Call.Samsung support, Block spam calls with Smart Call on your Galaxy phone
- Turn on Block spam and scam calls, then pick Block all spam and scam calls, or Only block high-risk scam calls.Samsung support, Block spam calls with Smart Call on your Galaxy phone
- For the strictest setting: in Settings, tap Block numbers and turn on Block calls from unknown numbers.Samsung support, Block spam calls with Smart Call on your Galaxy phone
- On Galaxy phones with One UI 8.5 or later, AI Scam detection alerts you with a tone or vibration when a call sounds like a scam.Samsung support, Block spam calls with Smart Call on your Galaxy phone
What does my phone company offer?
- T-Mobile: Scam Shield blocks scam calls and robocalls.FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
- AT&T: ActiveArmor, free with every AT&T wireless plan. AT&T says it may not catch every threat and may block calls you want.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- Verizon: Call Filter, free on standard monthly and prepaid plans. It sends high-risk spam calls to voicemail.Verizon, Call Filter FAQs
- The FCC: depending on your phone company, a blocked call may go to voicemail, ring once, or give you “no notice at all.”FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
Does the Do Not Call Registry help?
It stops sales calls from companies that follow the law. It doesn’t stop scammers.
- Add your number free at DoNotCall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
- Your number shows up the next day; sales calls can take up to 31 days to stop. The registration never expires.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
- Political calls, charities, debt collectors, surveys and companies you’ve recently done business with may still call.FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
- The FTC: being on the registry “won’t stop calls from scammers making illegal calls.”FTC, National Do Not Call Registry FAQs
What still gets through?
- Roaming: “Call Screen won’t screen calls automatically during roaming.”Google, Phone app Help: Call Screen
- Phone off or out of coverage: calls go to your regular voicemail.Google, Phone app Help: Take a Message
- Faked numbers: the FTC says “Scammers can make any name or number show up on your caller ID,” so a scam call from a clean or local-looking number still rings.FTC, Phone Scams
- A filtered call sends no alert, so a real caller marked as spam is easy to miss. In your call history, tap the call, then Not spam.Google, Phone app Help: Use caller ID & spam protection
- Samsung: Smart Call may not be available with every phone company or on every model.Samsung support, Block spam calls with Smart Call on your Galaxy phone
Where does Vicem fit?
Vicem is an AI with its own number. It answers the calls you miss, says it’s an AI, and turns scam callers away.
- Junk calls and texts are handled without interrupting you.
- Spam calls it turns away never count against your minutes.
- Works when your phone is off.
- On a Pixel, turn off automatic screening and Take a Message if calls don’t reach Vicem: Google says screened calls aren’t forwarded, and a call Take a Message answers counts as answered.Google, Phone app Help: Call ScreenGoogle, Phone app Help: Take a Message
What do people ask?
What is Caller ID & spam protection on Android?
A setting in the Phone app that names callers outside your contacts and warns you about likely spam. Google turns it on by default; Filter spam calls blocks those calls.
How do I stop spam calls on a Samsung phone?
In the Phone app, tap More options, Settings, then Caller ID and spam protection. Turn it on, then turn on Block spam and scam calls.
Why is there no Filter spam calls option on my Pixel?
On phones with automatic Call Screen, spam blocking is one of Call Screen’s options. Pick a protection level under Spam and Call Screen.
Will the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?
No. The FTC says it won’t stop scammers making illegal calls. It stops sales calls from companies that follow the law, so it still cuts some of the noise.
Does Call Screen work when my phone is off?
No. Google says calls go to your regular voicemail when your phone is off or out of coverage.