How to stop spam calls on AT&T
AT&T’s spam blocker is ActiveArmor, free with every AT&T wireless plan. Download the AT&T ActiveArmor app, open the Calls & Texts tab, and under Call Routing set spam calls to Block or Voicemail; fraud calls are already set to Block.
AT&T says ActiveArmor may miss some threats and may block calls you want. Vicem is an AI with a number of its own: it takes the AT&T calls you miss and turns scam callers away.
Updated Checked on October 14, 2026
How do I turn on AT&T ActiveArmor?
- Download the AT&T ActiveArmor app from Google Play or the App Store. It needs Android 10 or iOS 16.4 or later.AT&T support, Get or update the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Open the app and go to the Calls & Texts tab.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Under Call Routing, check Fraud calls: AT&T sets them to Block for your protection.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Set Spam calls to Allow, Block or Voicemail, or choose Custom to route each type, such as Telemarketers or Political.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Turn on Always allow contacts, so people in your contacts are never blocked or sent to voicemail.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Sending calls to voicemail needs an active AT&T voicemail box: AT&T says that without one, calls from numbers outside your contacts won’t go through.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
Is AT&T ActiveArmor free, or do I need Advanced?
- Free with every AT&T wireless plan: fraud and spam call blocking, and data breach alerts.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- ActiveArmor Advanced costs $7 a month and renews monthly until you cancel (AT&T, October 14, 2026).AT&T, ActiveArmorAT&T support, Learn about ActiveArmor advanced
- For calls, Advanced adds caller ID by name and location, and reverse number lookup for US numbers.AT&T support, Learn about ActiveArmor advanced
- Its other extras protect your identity and money, such as public Wi-Fi protection and identity theft insurance.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- To change plans, open the app’s three-dot menu and tap Subscription.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
How do I block a number or send spam to voicemail on AT&T?
- My Block List, in the app’s Calls tab, blocks a number from your call log, from your contacts, or typed in.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Changed your mind? Unblock the number on My Block List.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Private callers, who hide their number, can be allowed, blocked or sent to voicemail.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- Your phone has its own block setting too, which works with any phone company.
Does AT&T ActiveArmor stop every spam call?
- No. AT&T says it may not detect all threats and may block wanted calls; you can change the settings in the app.AT&T, ActiveArmor
- Spam calls are labeled only when possible, so some arrive with no warning.AT&T support, Use the AT&T ActiveArmor app
- 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
- The FCC: depending on your phone company, a blocked call may go straight to voicemail, ring once, or give you “no notice at all.”FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
- The FCC: a real caller can be blocked by mistake when their calls look like robocalls.FCC, Call Blocking Tools and Resources
Can I use AT&T ActiveArmor with Vicem?
Yes. Keep ActiveArmor on and keep your AT&T number.
- Once you forward missed calls to Vicem, calls that ring and you don’t answer go to Vicem.
- AT&T has you turn forwarding on from your AT&T phone itself, not online.AT&T support, Use call forwarding
- While forwarding is on, it takes over from your AT&T voicemail.AT&T support, Use call forwarding
- Set Screen Unknown Callers to Silence and turn off Live Voicemail, so the calls your iPhone silences reach Vicem.
- 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
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.
- Vicem costs from $24 a month, your own number included. Free for 3 days.
What do people ask?
Is AT&T ActiveArmor free?
Yes, with every AT&T wireless plan. ActiveArmor Advanced, with caller ID and reverse number lookup, costs $7 a month (AT&T, October 14, 2026).
Does AT&T block robocalls?
Yes, with ActiveArmor: fraud calls are blocked for you, and you choose whether spam calls are blocked or sent to voicemail. AT&T says it may miss some.
How do I block a number on AT&T?
In the AT&T ActiveArmor app, open the Calls tab and add it to My Block List from your call log, your contacts, or by typing it in.
Can I keep my AT&T number and use Vicem?
Yes. Your number stays with AT&T, and the calls you miss go on to Vicem once you turn on forwarding from your AT&T phone.
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.