How to Block Unknown Callers

Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: March 28, 2019 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to block calls from anonymous numbers on your iPhone or Android. You can do this by using Do Not Disturb on your iPhone, or by changing call settings on your Android if you have a Samsung phone. If you don't have a Samsung phone, you can download an app called "Should I Answer?" to block incoming unknown calls on Android. Unfortunately, there isn't an app or a setting available on iPhone that will only block incoming private, unknown, or restricted calls.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
On iPhone

1
Open your iPhone's
Settings. Tap the grey app with 2 gears on it. You'll usually find it on the Home Screen.
2
Scroll down and tap
Do Not Disturb. It's near the top of the Settings page.

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3
Tap the white "Do Not Disturb" switch
. It will turn green
.
4
Tap Allow Calls From. This option is near the bottom of the screen.
5
Tap All Contacts. Doing so will select your entire contacts list as the exception to Do Not Disturb. You will no longer receive calls from people who aren't saved in your Contacts app.
- This method blocks calls from any numbers that aren't saved in your Contacts app, meaning that you might miss out on a work- or appointment-based call.
- Do Not Disturb also prevents other app notifications (e.g., text messages, email, social media) from showing up as alerts.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
On Samsung Galaxy

1
Make sure that you have a Samsung phone. Samsung phones are the only Androids that have an anonymous caller rejection setting.^{[1]
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- If you're using a non-Samsung Android phone, skip ahead to the Should I Answer app method instead.
2
Open the Phone app. Tap the phone-shaped app on your Android's main screen.
3
Tap ⋮. It's in the top-right corner of the screen. A drop-down menu will appear.
4
Tap Settings. You'll find this near the bottom of the drop-down menu.
5
Tap Block numbers. It's in the middle of the menu. This will open the call-blocking settings.
6
Tap the grey "Block anonymous calls" switch
. It will turn blue
. Your Samsung will now block any calls from unknown numbers.

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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Using Should I Answer on Android

1
Download Should I Answer. If you already have the Should I Answer app, skip this step. To download it:
- Open the
  Google Play Store.
- Tap the search bar.
- Type in should i answer
- Tap Should I Answer?
- Tap INSTALL
- Tap AGREE
2
Open Should I Answer. Tap OPEN on the right side of the Google Play Store page, or tap the Should I Answer app icon in your Android's App Drawer.
3
Tap CONTINUE twice. Both CONTINUE options are at the bottom of the screen. Doing so will take you to the main page.
4
Tap the SETTINGS tab. It's at the top of the main Should I Answer page.
5
Scroll down to the "Block INCOMING calls from" section. This area is near the bottom of the page.
6
Tap the grey "hidden numbers" switch
. It will change color
which means that Should I Answer will block incoming calls from restricted or anonymous numbers.
- You can close Should I Answer after this point—your settings will be saved and Should I Answer will remain on in the background.
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Community Q&A

Question

We are trying to trace an ex who uses restricted number calling to obtain proof to get an injunction. Will this TrapCall app work to reveal their cell phone number?

Community Answer

Yes, TrapCall reveals blocked numbers.
Question

How can I stop getting blocked calls on my landline phone?

Community Answer

You can use PhoneTray software (installed on your PC) to prevent blocked calls from getting through on a landline. It costs around $30.
Question

How do I get rid of an unknown number on Whatsapp?

Community Answer

Go onto recent calls and select, Clear Recent. The number should now be gone.
Question

How can I block series of numbers calling me as blank calls?

Community Answer

Go to your recent call log and manually go through each one, blocking all of them. It may be time-consuming, but it saves you from getting strange blank calls.
Question

What are hidden numbers?

Community Answer

Hidden numbers are callers who don’t display their number, much like an unknown caller.
Question

How do I block someone with no caller ID?

Community Answer

Get the app, TruCaller, and it has an option to set spam numbers. It'll also automatically block all telemarketers and stuff automatically (if the community reported them as a telemarketer trough the app).
Question

How do I unblock unknown callers?

Community Answer

Go to the “Contacts” tab. Choose the person you would like to block or unblock, and tap “Unblock This Caller.”
Question

How do I unblock callers on my iPhone?

Community Answer

Go to the “Contacts” tab. Choose the person you would like to block or unblock, and tap “Unblock This Caller.”