Spam calls have become one of the most persistent digital nuisances of our time. If you're an Android user, you're likely receiving multiple robocalls per day—pitches for extended car warranties, fake IRS threats, or "urgent" messages about your non-existent Amazon account. According to recent FTC data, Americans reported losing over $2.6 billion to phone scams in 2023, with the problem continuing to escalate in 2024 and 2025.

The good news? Android devices come equipped with increasingly sophisticated tools to stop spam calls, and when combined with the right third-party solutions and data privacy practices, you can dramatically reduce these intrusions. This guide will walk you through every available method to block spam calls on Android, from built-in features to advanced privacy measures that address the root cause: your personal information being sold across thousands of data broker databases.

Why Spam Calls Target Android Users

Before diving into solutions, it's worth understanding why your phone keeps ringing. Spam callers obtain your number through several channels:

Data broker networks that compile and sell consumer information from public records, app permissions, loyalty programs, and online activities
Data breaches that expose phone numbers alongside names, addresses, and other identifying information
Lead generation websites where you've entered your number for quotes or services
Social media profiles with publicly visible contact information
Automated number generation that systematically dials number ranges

The Android ecosystem's openness—while offering tremendous flexibility—also means that apps can more easily access your contacts and phone data if you grant permissions. This creates additional vectors for your number to enter spam call databases.

Prerequisites and What You'll Need

Before implementing spam call protection on your Android device, gather the following:

An Android device running Android 9.0 (Pie) or later for access to built-in spam protection features
Your Google account credentials to configure Google Phone app settings
5-10 minutes to properly configure all settings
A list of legitimate numbers you don't want to accidentally block (doctors, schools, banks)
Your carrier account login if you plan to use carrier-level spam blocking services

Most Android manufacturers include their own phone apps (Samsung Phone, OnePlus Phone, etc.), but Google's Phone app offers the most robust spam protection and is available on most devices through the Play Store.

Step-by-Step Walkthrough to Stop Spam Calls on Android

Enable Google Phone App's Built-In Spam Protection

Google's Phone app includes powerful spam detection powered by a continuously updated database of known spam numbers. Here's how to activate it:

Install Google Phone (if not already installed): Open Google Play Store, search for "Google Phone," and install the app from Google LLC
Set as default dialer: Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps > Phone app and select Google Phone
Open Google Phone and tap the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner
Select Settings > Caller ID & spam
Enable these critical toggles:

- "See caller and spam ID" — identifies incoming callers and flags suspected spam

- "Filter spam calls" — automatically sends suspected spam to voicemail without ringing

- "See suspected spam caller ID" — shows warnings before you answer

The Google Phone app uses machine learning to analyze calling patterns, user reports, and known spam databases to identify threats. When "Filter spam calls" is enabled, your phone won't ring for suspected spam—these calls go straight to voicemail where they're segregated into a spam folder.

Configure Do Not Disturb for Additional Control

Android's Do Not Disturb mode provides granular control over which calls can reach you:

Navigate to Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb
Tap People and configure:

- Calls: Set to "Starred contacts only" or "Contacts only"

- Messages: Configure based on your preference

Set up schedules for automatic activation (e.g., nighttime, work meetings)
Enable "Can bypass Do Not Disturb" for critical contacts by starring them in your Contacts app

This approach creates a whitelist system where only approved contacts can ring through during specified times, effectively blocking all spam calls during those periods.

Block Numbers Manually

For persistent spam callers that slip through automated filters:

Open the Phone app and go to Recent calls
Tap the spam number you want to block
Select Block/report spam
Choose whether to report as spam (helps improve detection for all users)
Confirm blocking

Blocked numbers are stored in Settings > Blocked numbers within the Phone app, where you can review and unblock if needed.

Enable Carrier-Level Spam Blocking

Major carriers offer their own spam protection services, which work at the network level before calls even reach your device:

Verizon:

Download Call Filter app from Play Store
Basic spam detection is free; Call Filter Plus ($7.99/month) adds caller ID and risk meter
Access at verizon.com/solutions-and-services/call-filter/

AT&T:

AT&T ActiveArmor is free for postpaid customers
Activate by downloading the ActiveArmor app or calling 611
Blocks fraud calls automatically; suspected spam shows warnings

T-Mobile:

Scam Shield is free for all customers
Enable by dialing #662# or through the Scam Shield app
Includes Scam Block (#662#) and Scam ID features

Google Fi:

Spam blocking is automatically enabled
Enhanced blocking available in the Google Fi app under Privacy & security > Spam blocking

Carrier-level blocking is particularly effective because it can identify spoofed numbers and patterns that individual device apps might miss.

Register with the National Do Not Call Registry

While not a complete solution, registering your number provides legal protection:

Visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the number you want to register
Complete the registration process (takes 31 days to become fully effective)
Report violations at donotcall.gov/report.html

Legitimate telemarketers are legally required to check this registry. Violations can result in fines up to $46,517 per call under FTC regulations (16 CFR § 310). However, scammers and illegal operations ignore this registry, so it's just one layer of protection.

Use Third-Party Call Blocking Apps

Several reputable apps offer advanced spam call filtering:

Truecaller (Free with premium option):

Database of over 3 billion numbers
Automatic spam blocking and caller ID
Community-based spam reporting
Privacy consideration: Uploads your contacts to build its database

Hiya (Free with premium option):

Integrates with carrier services
Real-time spam detection
Reverse phone lookup

Should I Answer? (Free):

Community-driven ratings
Works offline with local database
Privacy-focused (doesn't upload your contacts)

Important privacy note: Many call blocking apps request access to your contacts and call logs. Read privacy policies carefully and understand what data you're sharing. Apps that upload your entire contact list to cloud servers may inadvertently expose your contacts' information.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Answering Unknown Numbers to "See Who It Is"

The moment you answer a spam call, your number is marked as "active" in the spammer's database, leading to more calls. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail—legitimate callers will leave a message.

Pressing Numbers to "Opt Out"

Many robocalls prompt you to "press 1 to speak with an agent" or "press 9 to be removed from our list." These options often confirm your number is active and lead to more spam. Simply hang up or let the call filter handle it.

Calling Back Missed Unknown Numbers

Scammers use "one-ring" schemes where they call and hang up immediately, hoping you'll call back. Some of these numbers connect to premium-rate services that charge exorbitant per-minute fees. If you don't recognize a number, search it online before calling back.

Granting Excessive App Permissions

Call blocking apps that request permissions beyond phone, contacts, and SMS may be overreaching. Be especially wary of apps requesting location, camera, or microphone access when these aren't necessary for call filtering functionality.

Ignoring the Root Cause

Blocking spam calls treats the symptom, not the disease. If your personal information—including phone number, name, address, and email—is listed across hundreds of data broker sites, you'll continue receiving spam calls indefinitely. Data brokers sell consumer profiles to marketers, scammers, and anyone willing to pay, creating an endless cycle of unwanted contact.

Forgetting to Update Your Phone

Android security patches and app updates frequently include improvements to spam detection algorithms. Keep your device and apps updated by enabling automatic updates in Settings > System > System update and Play Store > Settings > Auto-update apps.

Advanced Tips for Maximum Spam Protection

Use a Secondary Number for Online Forms

Instead of providing your primary number to websites, retailers, or services, use a secondary number from services like:

Google Voice (free): Provides a separate number that forwards to your real phone, with built-in spam filtering
Burner or Hushed (paid): Temporary numbers for one-time use
MySudo (paid): Multiple numbers with privacy-focused features

This compartmentalization means that if one number gets compromised or sold to data brokers, your primary number remains protected.

Audit App Permissions Regularly

Many apps request phone permissions they don't actually need:

Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission manager > Phone
Review which apps have phone access
Revoke permissions for apps that don't require calling functionality
Repeat for Contacts and SMS permissions

Social media apps, games, and utility apps rarely need access to your phone or contacts. Revoking these permissions reduces the risk of your number being harvested.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication Alternatives

Many services default to SMS-based two-factor authentication, which requires sharing your phone number. Whenever possible, use:

Authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator)
Hardware security keys (YubiKey, Google Titan)
Email-based verification as a secondary option

This reduces the number of organizations that have your phone number in their databases, which could be breached or sold.

Monitor Your Digital Footprint

Your phone number may be exposed on:

Social media profiles: Check Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram privacy settings
Professional directories: Search your number on sites like Whitepages, TruePeopleSearch, and FastPeopleSearch
Court records and property records: Public records often include phone numbers
Old forum posts or website registrations: Search your number in quotes on Google

Finding and removing these exposures reduces spam call sources, but manually searching and submitting removal requests to hundreds of data brokers is time-consuming—which is where automated solutions become valuable.

Understand Caller ID Spoofing

Spammers frequently "spoof" caller ID to make calls appear local or from legitimate organizations. You might see:

Numbers with your area code and prefix (neighbor spoofing)
Government agency numbers (IRS, Social Security Administration)
Well-known company numbers (Amazon, Microsoft, banks)

The IRS will never call you first—they always send letters. Similarly, legitimate companies rarely call from the exact customer service numbers listed on their websites. When in doubt, hang up and call the organization directly using a number you find independently.

Report Spam Calls to Authorities

Reporting helps enforcement agencies identify patterns and take action:

FTC: Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov or donotcall.gov/report.html
FCC: File complaints at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
Your state Attorney General: Most states have consumer protection divisions that track spam calls

While individual reports rarely lead to immediate action, aggregate data helps regulators identify major violators and coordinate enforcement actions.

How GhostMyData Can Help Automate This

Even with all the Android spam call filters and blocking techniques in place, you'll continue receiving unwanted calls if your personal information remains accessible across data broker networks. This is where addressing the root cause becomes critical.

Data brokers operate by aggregating information from public records, online activity, app permissions, and purchased datasets—then selling access to anyone willing to pay. Your phone number, linked to your name, address, age, and other details, becomes a product. Marketers buy this data for "targeted outreach," but the same information is accessible to scammers, spammers, and bad actors.

The manual removal problem: Technically, you can request removal from data brokers individually. Under laws like the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Civil Code § 1798.100-199, and similar state privacy laws, data brokers must honor opt-out requests. However, there are challenges:

Over 2,100 known data broker sites operate in the United States
Each has different opt-out processes (email forms, postal mail, fax, online portals)
Removal requests take 30-90 days to process
Your information reappears as brokers re-scrape public records
Manual removal would require hundreds of hours annually

This is where GhostMyData's automated approach provides value. The service uses 24 AI agents to continuously scan 2,100+ data broker sites for your information and submit removal requests on your behalf. Unlike competitors that cover only 35-500 brokers, this comprehensive coverage addresses the vast majority of sources feeding spam callers with your information.

How it works:

Sign up and provide the information you want removed (name, phone number, addresses, email)
GhostMyData's AI agents scan the broker network to find your exposed data
Automated removal requests are submitted using each broker's specific opt-out process
Continuous monitoring catches re-listings and submits new removal requests
You receive reports showing which brokers had your data and removal status

By removing your information from data broker databases, you cut off the supply chain that feeds spam callers. Combined with the Android call filtering techniques in this guide, you create multiple layers of protection.

If you're receiving multiple spam calls daily, it's worth running a free scan to see how many data brokers are currently selling your information. The results are often surprising—most people find their details on 50-150+ broker sites they've never heard of.

For a detailed comparison of how comprehensive data broker removal services differ, check out our service comparison guide or learn more about how the removal process works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I still getting spam calls after blocking numbers?

Spam callers use caller ID spoofing to change the number that appears on your screen with each call. Even if you block a specific number, the same spammer can call again using a different spoofed number. This is why filter-based solutions (that identify spam patterns rather than specific numbers) are more effective than simple number blocking. Additionally, if your information remains on data broker sites, new spam operations continuously acquire your number and add it to their call lists.

Can I sue companies that keep calling me after I've asked them to stop?

Yes, under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), 47 U.S.C. § 227, you may be entitled to $500-$1,500 per violation for illegal robocalls. To pursue this: (1) explicitly tell the caller to stop calling and note the date/time, (2) document subsequent calls with screenshots and recordings where legal, (3) file a complaint with the FCC and FTC, and (4) consult with a consumer protection attorney who handles TCPA cases. Many attorneys work on contingency for clear TCPA violations. However, this only works for identifiable legitimate companies—scam operations using spoofed numbers are effectively judgment-proof.

Do spam call blocking apps sell my data?

Some do, which is why reading privacy policies is critical. Apps like Truecaller explicitly state they collect and use contact information to build their spam database—your contacts' numbers may be uploaded to their servers. Hiya partners with carriers and shares data within those ecosystems. Privacy-focused alternatives like Should I Answer? keep data local on your device. Before installing any call blocking app, review its privacy policy and the permissions it requests. If an app asks for more access than necessary for its stated function, that's a red flag.

Will enabling spam call filters block important calls from doctors or schools?

Modern spam filters on Android (particularly Google Phone's spam protection) are highly accurate and rarely block legitimate calls from established organizations. However, you can prevent any false positives by: (1) adding important contacts to your phone's contact list—known contacts are never filtered as spam, (2) starring critical contacts and using Do Not Disturb's "starred contacts only" mode, and (3) checking your spam call folder periodically (in Google Phone: Recents > Spam tab) to catch any misidentified calls. If a specific legitimate number is repeatedly marked as spam, you can manually unblock it and report it as "not spam" to improve the algorithm.

How do spammers get my cell phone number in the first place?

Your phone number enters spam call databases through multiple channels: data brokers that compile information from public records, app permissions, and online activity; data breaches where companies you've done business with are hacked; lead generation sites where you've requested quotes or services; social media profiles with visible

How to Stop Spam Calls on Android (2026 Guide)