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Stop Spam Calls Now! Block Numbers on Android & iPhone

Tired of robocalls? Learn easy ways to block unwanted numbers on Android, iPhone & landlines! Reclaim your peace of mind today! Learn more here!

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Okay, so you're getting hammered with robocalls and spam, eh? Tell me about it! It's a total drag. Good news, though: blocking numbers on your phone is easier than pie these days. I'm gonna break it down for you – the whole shebang – for both Android and iPhone, plus some extra tricks for landlines and even how to give those telemarketers the boot. Let's get started!

Blocking Calls on Your Android Phone

First up, Android. These phones are pretty user-friendly when it comes to blocking numbers. There are a couple of ways to do it, and the process is pretty much the same across most brands.

Method 1: Blocking Straight from the Phone App's Settings

  1. Open Your Phone App: That phone icon on your home screen – you know the one, looks like a receiver. Give it a tap.
  2. Hit Those Three Dots: Look for the three little dots, usually in the top-right corner. That's your menu.
  3. Jump into Settings: Tap "Settings" in the drop-down. Options galore!
  4. Find "Block Numbers": You should see an option called "Block numbers" or something similar. Tap it.

  5. Add a Number: This is where you put the kibosh on those annoying callers. Tap "Add phone number." Type in the number you want to banish and hit the "+" icon or a button that says "Block." Done! Simple as that.

    • Pro Tip: Too lazy to type? You can also pick a recent caller from your "Recents" or grab a contact from your "Contacts" to block 'em.

    • Unblocking: Changed your mind? No sweat! Just go back to the "Block numbers" section, find the number, and tap the minus sign or an "Unblock" button to let them back in.

Method 2: Blocking from Your Call History (Recent Calls)

  1. Open Your Phone App: Like before, open that trusty phone icon.
  2. Hit Those Three Dots: Look for the three little dots again.
  3. Tap "Call history": Then, tap "Call history" to see who's been bugging you lately.
  4. Tap the Number: Find the call you want to block and tap and hold on it. A menu should pop up
  5. Block or Report: In most Android versions, you'll see an option like "Block number" or "Block / report spam." Give it a tap. It'll probably ask if you want to report the caller as spam too. You can check the box to do that if you want.
  6. Confirm: Just tap "Block" to make it official.

Blocking Calls on Your iPhone

iPhones have a pretty smooth and intuitive way to block numbers as well. Here's the scoop:

  1. Open the Phone App: You know the drill – the green and white phone icon on your home screen.
  2. Tap "Recents": At the bottom of your screen you will see a list of recent calls.
  3. Find the Number: Find the number you want to block. Tap the "i" (for information) in a circle next to the number.
  4. Block the Caller: Scroll down, and you'll see a red "Block this Caller" link. Tap it.

  5. Confirm: Confirm by tapping "Block Contact." You're golden!

    • Expert Advice: Tech expert Mitch Harris says, "Blocking calls from a phone number also prevents that phone number from sending you text messages or calling you on FaceTime." You can also block a number by opening the Contacts app, tapping the contact you want to block, scrolling down, and tapping "Block this Caller."

    • Unblocking: To unblock someone later, pop over to your iPhone's "Settings," tap "Phone," and then tap "Blocked Contacts." You can then tap "Edit" and the minus sign next to the number.

Blocking Unknown/Private Numbers on Android

Want to go the extra mile and block those sneaky, hidden numbers? Here's how on Android:

  1. Open Your Phone App: Back to the phone app we go.
  2. Tap the Three Dots: Tap those little dots in the top-right corner.
  3. Tap "Settings": You know the drill by now.
  4. Find "Blocked Numbers": Tap "Blocked numbers."
  5. Enable Unknown Blocking: Toggle on the switch that says "Block unknown/private numbers." This will block calls from numbers that are hidden. Heads up: If the caller isn't in your contacts, they'll get blocked, so keep that in mind.

Blocking Unknown Callers on iPhone

And for you iPhone peeps:

  1. Open Settings: Find that gray gear icon – that's your Settings app.
  2. Tap "Phone": Scroll down and tap "Phone".
  3. Tap "Silence Unknown Callers": Tap the "Silence Unknown Callers" option.
  4. Enable Silence: Toggle the "Silence Unknown Callers" switch to "On." Now, your iPhone won't ring for unknown numbers. Calls from known contacts and numbers on your recent calls list will still get through, and voicemails can still come through too.

Dealing With Landlines: The Old-Fashioned Way

Okay, so what about those old landlines? The options are a bit more old-school, but they can still get the job done.

  1. Call Your Provider: First thing's first, give your phone company (Verizon, AT&T, Xfinity, etc.) a ring. Ask if they offer call-blocking services. Sometimes there's a small monthly charge, so be sure to ask about that upfront.
  2. Dial *60: If your provider offers it, dialing *60 on your landline lets you block calls from a specific number. You'll hear instructions from the automated system. Follow 'em to add a number. You'll likely dial #, enter the 10-digit number, and then press # again.
  3. Remove a Blocked Number: To unblock a number, dial *60 again and follow the automated prompts.
  4. Disable Call Blocking: If you want to completely disable call blocking, dial *80.
  5. Anonymous Call Blocking (*77): For maximum privacy, dial *77. Callers who hide their caller ID will hear a message saying you're not accepting blocked calls. They'll be prompted to unblock their number and try again.
  6. Disable Anonymous Call Blocking (*87): If you want to disable anonymous call blocking. Dial *87 to allow these anonymous calls to come through.

Cracking Down on Telemarketers: The Do Not Call Registry

Last but not least, let's tackle those annoying telemarketing calls. That's where the National Do Not Call Registry comes to the rescue.

  1. Go to the Website: Head to https://www.donotcall.gov in your web browser.
  2. Click "Register Your Phone": You'll see an orange button on the right side of the page.
  3. Click "Register Here": If you're sure you haven't registered before.
  4. Enter Your Phone Number: You can register up to three phone numbers. You'll also need to enter a valid email address.
  5. Submit the Form: Click "SUBMIT."
  6. Confirm Your Registration: Verify your information and click "REGISTER." Check your email for a confirmation email.

  7. Click the Confirmation Link: Make sure to click the confirmation link in the email within 72 hours.

    • Quick Note: It takes about 31 days for the registration to kick in. If you're still getting calls after that, you can report them on the Do Not Call Registry website.

And there you have it! I hope this guide helps you finally get some peace and quiet! You've got the knowledge; now go out there and silence those pesky calls!