How to Stop Spam Calls on iPhone and Android Using Built-in Features

Built-in tools on both iPhone and Android can cut down on unwanted calls without needing a third-party app or a paid subscription. This walkthrough covers the settings to enable, how call screening works on each platform, and what to watch out for so legitimate calls still get through.

■ iPhone Settings
- Call Filtering options: Silence Junk Callers and Unknown Callers
- Managing the Unknown Callers list and marking numbers as known
- Screening options: Off, Silence Unknown Callers, and Silence Unknown Callers with a reason-for-calling prompt
- Saving regular callers (clinics, clients) to avoid missing legitimate calls

■ Android Devices
- Caller ID and spam protection in the Google Phone app, including spam call blocking
- Requirements: Android 6.0 or later, latest Phone app version set as default
- Advanced screening on Pixel 6 and newer, and supported Samsung phones

Keep in mind that screening options don't stop voicemail from filling up with spam messages, so staying alert to missed calls from unsaved numbers still matters. It's a practical guide for anyone tired of interruptions during the day, and it lets you walk away knowing exactly which menus to open on your own phone to turn these features on.