How to Block Spam Calls on Android and iPhone: Step-by-Step Guide

Few everyday digital annoyances are more frustrating than your smartphone buzzing during an important meeting or in the middle of the night, only to discover an automated robocall, an unsolicited credit card offer, or a fraudulent investment pitch. Spam calls disrupt our focus, waste our time, and present dangerous entry points for social engineering scams.

Fortunately, modern mobile operating systems—Apple's iOS and Google's Android—feature robust built-in call protection engines. When combined with dedicated caller ID solutions like the Number LookUp App, you can filter out over 95% of nuisance calls automatically. In this step-by-step tutorial, we show you how to configure both platforms for maximum peace of mind.

1. How to Block Spam Calls on iPhone (iOS)

Apple provides multiple layers of defense built right into iOS settings:

Method A: Silence Unknown Callers (Most Powerful)

If you are being overwhelmed by relentless robocalls and spam, iOS includes a native feature called Silence Unknown Callers. When activated, calls from numbers not saved in your Contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Siri Suggestions are automatically muted, sent directly to voicemail, and displayed in your Recents list without making your phone ring or vibrate.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Phone.
3. Scroll to the bottom and select Silence Unknown Callers.
4. Toggle the switch to ON (Green).

Method B: Block Specific Numbers Manually

1. Open the Phone app and tap Recents.
2. Locate the spam number and tap the blue "i" (Info) icon next to it.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the contact card and tap Block this Caller.
4. Confirm by tapping Block Contact.

Method C: Enable Call Identification & Blocking Apps

Third-party caller ID apps (such as the Number LookUp mobile app) integrate directly with the iOS CallKit framework to label incoming calls as "Spam", "Telemarketing", or "Fraud" in real time:

1. Go to Settings > Phone.
2. Tap Call Blocking & Identification.
3. Under "Call Identification Apps", toggle your installed caller ID app to ON.

2. How to Block Spam Calls on Android

Android devices provide flexible, granular controls for screening nuisance calls, whether you use Google's native Phone app (on Pixel, Motorola, and Xiaomi devices) or Samsung's One UI.

Method A: Google Phone App (Spam and Call Screen)

1. Open the Phone app on your Android device.
2. Tap the three vertical dots (More options) in the top-right corner and select Settings.
3. Tap Caller ID & spam.
4. Enable See caller and spam ID.
5. Toggle on Filter spam calls. This prevents suspected spam calls from ever ringing on your phone; they will be silently dropped and logged in your call history.

Method B: Samsung Smart Call (Galaxy Devices)

Samsung Galaxy smartphones include built-in caller verification powered by Smart Call:

1. Open the green Phone app on your Samsung device.
2. Tap the three vertical dots > Settings.
3. Tap Caller ID and spam protection.
4. Toggle the switch to ON.
5. Tap Block spam and scam calls and select either "Block all spam and scam calls" or "Only block high-risk scam calls".

Method C: Block Numbers from Unknown / Private Callers

In Phone Settings > Block numbers, toggle on "Block calls from unknown numbers". On Android, this specifically blocks calls from callers whose numbers are concealed as "Private", "Restricted", or "Unknown", while still allowing legitimate numbers to ring.

3. National Do Not Call (DNC) Registers

In addition to device-level settings, you can register your number on national telemarketing suppression registries:

• In Saudi Arabia: To report commercial SMS spam or block unsolicited marketing, send an SMS with the spammer's number to 330330. You can also opt out of promotional messages from your mobile carrier by texting STOP to the sender's short code.
• In the UAE: The "Do Not Call Registry" (DNCR) enforced by TDRA allows residents to opt out of promotional calls. Send an SMS with DNC to 1012.

4. The Power of Number LookUp

While operating systems block known global offenders, local telemarketers and scammers frequently cycle through new numbers. Installing the Number LookUp App for Android or our iOS app provides real-time community-driven protection updated daily by millions of users across the Gulf region.