How to Stop Spam Calls and Texts on iPhone and Android in 2026

Spam calls and unsolicited text messages have become one of the most frustrating aspects of owning a smartphone. Whether it's a robocall pitching an extended warranty or a suspicious text urging you to click a sketchy link, the volume of these intrusions shows no sign of slowing down. The good news? Both iPhone and Android give you powerful tools to fight back — and this guide walks you through all of them.

Essential Rules Before You Start

Before diving into the technical steps, a few ground rules can save you a lot of trouble:

• Don't answer calls from unknown numbers. If the caller has something genuinely important to say, they'll leave a voicemail. This isn't practical for everyone — business owners and professionals who regularly receive calls from new contacts will need other strategies.
• Never tap links or open attachments in suspicious texts. Doing so can activate malware on your device. When in doubt, don't open the message at all.
• Never reply to a spam text. Responding confirms to the sender that your number is active, which typically results in even more spam.
• Search the number online first. If you're unsure whether a call or text is legitimate, paste the number into a search engine. Verified business numbers are usually easy to confirm, while scammer numbers often turn up nothing — or show up on fraud-reporting forums.

Report Spam — It Makes a Difference

Blocking numbers is only part of the solution. Reporting spam helps build the databases that carriers and platforms use to identify and flag nuisance callers for everyone. You can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. Keep in mind that the registry only applies to legitimate sales operations — scammers and many robocall outfits ignore it entirely. Still, reporting consistently does contribute to broader protective systems over time.

---

How to Block Spam Calls and Texts on iPhone

Blocking Individual Numbers

Apple makes it straightforward to block specific numbers across its native apps:

• Phone app: Go to Recents, tap the number or contact you want to block (or the info icon in Classic view), scroll down, and select Block Caller.
• FaceTime app: Tap the number or contact, scroll down, and tap Block Caller.
• Messages app: Open the conversation, tap the contact name at the top, and select Block Caller.

Once blocked, the person won't be able to reach you through calls or messages, and you won't receive any notifications from them. Importantly, they won't know they've been blocked — they can still leave voicemails. To review or remove blocked contacts, go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Blocked Contacts.

Filtering Unknown Callers and Messages

Blocking individual numbers has limited effectiveness when scammers cycle through dozens of different numbers. Apple's screening features offer a smarter approach:

• Go to Settings → Apps → Phone and scroll down to Screen Unknown Callers. You can choose Ask Reason for Calling, which prompts unsaved numbers to identify themselves before your phone rings, or Silence, which automatically mutes calls from anyone not in your contacts. These calls still appear in your recent calls list, and callers can leave a voicemail.
• For messages, go to Settings → Apps → Messages and toggle on Screen Unknown Senders. This moves messages from unknown contacts into a separate list without triggering notifications. You can also enable Filter Spam to automatically hide messages from known spam sources.

Reporting Spam Texts on iPhone

If a suspicious message arrives, swipe left on it without opening it, tap the trash icon, then select Delete and Report Spam. If you've already opened it, scroll to the bottom of the conversation and tap Report Spam, then confirm by selecting Delete and Report Spam.

---

How to Block Spam Calls and Texts on Android

Blocking Individual Numbers

The exact steps vary slightly depending on your device manufacturer:

• Stock Android (e.g., Google Pixel): Open the Phone app and go to the Home tab. Long-press the number you want to block and tap Block or Report. You can choose to report it as spam or flag it as a scam before confirming the block.
• Samsung devices: Open the Phone app, navigate to Recents, tap the number, select the Menu icon, and tap Block.

Filtering Unknown Callers on Android

When spam numbers keep changing, filtering all unknown callers is a practical option:

• Open the Phone app, tap the Menu icon (three vertical lines) at the top, go to Settings → Blocked Numbers, and toggle on Unknown. On Samsung phones, this option appears as Block Unknown Callers.
• To enable caller ID and spam detection, go to Phone → Menu → Settings → Caller ID and Spam and activate See Caller and Spam ID. Samsung users can find a similar toggle labeled Caller ID and Spam Protection.
• Google Pixel users can take advantage of the Call Screen feature, which uses Google Assistant to answer calls and generate a real-time transcript. Access it via Phone → Menu → Settings → Call Screen → Automatic Call Screen. You can set the sensitivity level and activate the spam filter for fully automated screening.

Blocking Spam Texts on Android

Open the Messages app, tap your profile picture in the upper right corner, go to Messages Settings → Protection and Safety, and toggle on Spam Protection.

---

Carrier Apps That Add Another Layer of Protection

The major U.S. wireless carriers offer their own spam-blocking tools, most of which are free or low-cost:

• AT&T – ActiveArmor: The free version includes spam and fraud call blocking, nuisance call alerts, and unknown call blocking. The advanced tier at $7/month per line adds caller ID, reverse number lookup, and expanded nuisance call controls.
• Verizon – Call Filter: Provides spam detection and filtering, a whitelist option for iOS users, and a neighborhood spoofing filter at no charge. The Plus version ($4/month for one line or $11/month for three or more lines) adds caller ID and a spam risk meter.
• T-Mobile – Scam Shield: A free app offering caller ID, scam detection and blocking, and even a proxy phone number you can use to protect your real number when needed.
• Google Fi: Includes caller ID and multiple blocking options for free within the Google Fi app.
• US Cellular – Call Guardian: Offers caller ID, spam alerts, and spam reporting. The Premium plan at $4/month adds automatic call blocking and enhanced alerts.

You can also report spam texts to any carrier free of charge by forwarding the message to 7726 (which spells SPAM on a keypad).

---

Should You Use a Third-Party Spam Blocking App?

The app stores are packed with tools promising to eliminate robocalls and spam texts. Apps like RoboKiller ($90/year) and Nomorobo (starting at $3/month) are legitimate services with solid track records. However, proceed carefully before downloading any third-party spam blocker.

For these apps to function, they require access to your call logs and contacts — sensitive data that not every developer handles responsibly. Many lesser-known apps have been found to share or sell user data, or to store it without adequate security measures. Before installing any third-party solution, research the company's reputation, read their privacy policy carefully, and understand their business model. In many cases, the built-in tools provided by Apple, Google, and your carrier will serve you just as well — without requiring you to hand over your personal data.

---

Staying ahead of spam calls and texts requires a combination of smart habits and the right settings. By using the built-in tools on your device, taking advantage of your carrier's protection features, and staying cautious about what you click and respond to, you can dramatically reduce the volume of unwanted contact reaching your phone.