How to Stop Robocalls and Spam Calls

If your phone rings all day with "potential spam," fake warranty offers, and recorded voices, you're not alone. The calls will never stop completely, but you can cut them down to almost nothing by stacking a few free tools: your phone's built-in filter, your carrier's blocker, and a couple of good habits. Here's the whole playbook.

Step 1: Turn on your phone's built-in filter

On iPhone

1. Open Settings > Apps > Phone.
2. Turn on Silence Unknown Callers. Numbers not in your contacts won't ring; they go to voicemail, and you'll see them in your recent calls.
3. On iOS 26 or newer, you'll also see Screen Unknown Callers. Set it to "Ask Reason for Calling" and your phone politely asks unknown callers why they're calling before it ever rings you. Real people answer; robots hang up.

One trade-off: a legitimate call from a number you don't have saved (a doctor's office, a delivery driver) also gets silenced. Check your voicemail and recent calls if you're expecting something.

On Android

1. Open the Phone app, tap the three dots, then Settings.
2. Tap Caller ID & spam and turn on See caller & spam ID and Filter spam calls.
3. On Samsung phones, open Phone > three dots > Settings > Smart call / Block numbers, and turn on the spam protection (powered by Hiya).

Step 2: Add your carrier's free blocker

Carriers can stop many scam calls before your phone even rings. All three big ones are free:

• AT&T: the ActiveArmor app (this absorbed the old Call Protect). Automatic fraud blocking and spam alerts.
• T-Mobile: Scam Shield. Turn on "Scam Block" to stop suspected scam calls cold.
• Verizon: Call Filter. Screens and blocks spam automatically.

Download your carrier's app, sign in with your phone account, and turn on the automatic blocking. There are paid tiers, but the free version handles the basics well.

Step 3: Register with the Do Not Call list

It won't stop scammers (they ignore the law), but it stops legitimate telemarketers, which trims the volume.

1. Go to donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.
2. Enter your number and confirm by email.
3. It takes effect within about 31 days.

Step 4: Block the worst repeat offenders by hand

When the same number keeps slipping through:

• iPhone: open the call in Recents, tap the (i), scroll down, tap Block this Caller.
• Android: press and hold the number in your call log and tap Block / report spam.

Scammers change numbers constantly, so this is a game of whack-a-mole, but it helps with the persistent ones.

Step 5: Consider a third-party app (optional)

If you still get hammered, apps like RoboKiller, Hiya, Nomorobo, YouMail, and Truecaller add a bigger spam database. Most have a free tier and a paid tier. Try the free carrier and built-in options first; many people never need a paid app.

The habits that matter most

• Don't answer unknown numbers. Let them go to voicemail. Real callers leave a message.
• Never press a key ("press 1 to be removed"). That confirms your number is live and brings more calls.
• Don't say "yes" to "Can you hear me?" Just hang up.
• Don't call back a missed call from a number you don't recognize.
• Be stingy with your number online; it's how you end up on the lists.

If a "spam" call is actually a scam

Recorded threats about your Social Security number, Medicare, the IRS, a "warrant for your arrest," or your "car's extended warranty" are scams, full stop. Hang up. If you're worried it might be real, look up the agency's official number yourself and call that. See our guide on spotting Social Security and Medicare scam calls and tech support scams.

Video walkthrough

Video by NordVPN on YouTube