How to Silence Unknown Callers and Reduce Spam Phone Calls

If your phone rings constantly with calls from numbers you don't recognize, there are free built-in tools to silence unknown callers and cut down on robocalls.

In this guide (5 steps):

1.Turn on Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone)
2.Enable call screening on Android
3.Register with the Do Not Call Registry
4.Install a free call-blocking app
5.Report scam calls to the FTC

Turn on Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone)

~30s

Go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. Tap the toggle to turn it on. From now on, calls from numbers not saved in your contacts, not in your recent calls list, and not suggested by Siri will ring silently and go to voicemail. You'll see a missed call notification but your phone won't make a sound.

Quick Tip

Quick Tip: After turning this on, you'll notice your phone is dramatically quieter. If you miss a call from a real person, they'll leave a voicemail and you can add their number to contacts.

Enable call screening on Android

~19s

Open the Phone app. Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top right. Tap "Settings," then "Blocked numbers" — you can add specific numbers here. Also look for "Spam and robocalls" settings and turn on "Filter spam calls" if available on your phone model. On Google Pixel phones, the "Call Screen" feature answers spam calls automatically.

Register with the Do Not Call Registry

~17s

Visit donotcall.gov (official FTC website) and register your phone number. It's free and takes about 2 minutes. Legitimate telemarketers are legally required to stop calling registered numbers. This doesn't stop scammers (who ignore the law), but it does reduce sales calls from companies that follow the rules.

Install a free call-blocking app

~17s

Apps like Nomorobo (free for VoIP home phones, paid for cell), RoboKiller ($4.99/month), and Hiya (free tier available) use databases of known scam numbers to block calls before they reach you. For iPhone users, these apps add their block lists to your Silence Unknown Callers feature for even better coverage.

Report scam calls to the FTC

~25s

If you receive a call you believe is a scam — someone claiming to be the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or your bank — report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These reports help the FTC identify and act against scam operations and protect others.

Warning

If someone calls claiming to be from Social Security, Medicare, or the IRS and demands gift cards, wire transfers, or immediate payment — hang up. These agencies never demand payment by phone.

You Did It!

You've completed: How to Silence Unknown Callers and Reduce Spam Phone Calls

Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

If it feels like your phone rings all day with calls from numbers you don't recognize — robocalls, scam calls, "your car warranty is expiring" calls — you're not imagining it. The FTC reports that older adults are disproportionately targeted by these calls. The good news: both iPhone and Android have built-in tools to dramatically reduce this problem.

The most powerful free option is "Silence Unknown Callers" on iPhone and its equivalent on Android. With this on, any call from a number that isn't already in your contacts, recent calls, or Siri suggestions goes straight to voicemail — no ringing, no interruption. Legitimate callers leave a voicemail; scammers typically don't.

This guide also covers the National Do Not Call Registry and free call-blocking apps, so you can stack multiple layers of protection.

Rate this guide

How helpful was this guide?

spam calls

robocalls

unknown callers

iphone

android

silence calls