Phone spam and scam are on the rise, with no signs of stopping. Luckily, you can take a few actions on your own to get rid of spam calls. For instance, iPhones and Android smartphones have built-in features for blocking specific phone numbers, while mobile carriers offer blocking tools. On top of that, you can register your mobile and landline phone numbers with the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry, though that won’t stop scammers and disreputable telemarketers from calling you.
The best option is to install a call blocking application on the smartphone to automatically block scammers, telemarketers, robocalls, and other spam. Many call blockers strive to protect you from spam and identify unknown callers. Let’s get a closer look at the best call blocking apps for iPhone and Android smartphones.
#1 REKK Call Blocker
REKK is relatively new on the market, but it has already gained trust among iPhone and Android users. It’s a powerful solution for identifying unknown callers with an option to block unwanted phone numbers. The database with spam numbers is frequently updated, which makes REKK a perfect tool for identifying spam. Besides, the app allows you to block incoming messages with specific keywords, like “special offer”, “sale”, and others. Thanks to this feature, you’ll forget about annoying SMS during Black Friday.
Additionally, you can use a reverse number lookup to check data about the caller if you’ve missed a call, including the company, its category, location, official website, and additional contact information. To make the app work, you’ll need to configure the app in the settings of your smartphone. The built-in instruction in the app will help you set up the call blocking feature.
REKK is compatible with iOS and Android
#2 RoboKiller: Block Spam Calls
With RoboKiller, you can eliminate up to 99% of spam calls coming to your phone number. The utility helps you filter and control incoming phone calls by automatically blocking and adding to the blocklist any unwanted caller. Unwanted callers are blocked without bothering you. On top of that, you can keep essential contacts or any new number safe by adding it to your Allow List. So the app will never block important callers by mistake. If you’re expecting an important call from an unknown number, you can temporarily pause the call blocking feature.
RoboKiller allows you to recognize SMS spam by notifying you of unwanted text messages. It’s also possible to report any specific number or an unknown caller to RobKiller’s spam blocker and protect other users from spammers. RoboKiller is free to download. A subscription is required to use the service, but you can try it out completely free for seven days.
RoboKiller is compatible with iOS and Android.
#3 Truecaller
Truecaller is among the most-used free spam blocking apps on the market with many valuable features. It’s a multifunctional app that allows you to identify and block spam calls or SMS, search for unknown numbers, call and chat with friends. To help you avoid spam calls and text messages, Truecaller identifies spam automatically before you pick up and filters unwanted callers. Besides, the app provides users with the reverse lookup feature to search for any spam number in the app’s database to check who its owner is.
Other than call blocking and identification, the app comes with in-built call dialer and messenger. You can call your friends directly from the app and chat with them at no cost. The app is free, but you get more features with the premium subscription: know who viewed your profile, get 30 contact requests per month, and remove all ads.
You can install the app on Android and iOS smartphones.
#4 Hiya: Spam Phone Call Blocker
Hiya is one of the most-used spam blocking tools on the market. It comes in very handy when you’re looking for reliable protection from telemarketers, robocalls, fraud calls like neighbour spoofing, and debt collectors. The app identifies and blocks spam calls automatically and allows you to get rid of the “neighbor spoofing” calls from numbers that look similar to yours. The global database will let you know who’s calling you, where they work and if they make annoying calls to other Hiya users.
Additionally, the app provides a number lookup that lets you check any phone number and find out the caller’s true name. The app is paid and offers monthly and yearly subscriptions.
Download the app from Google Play or App Store.
#5 Robo Shield Spam Call Blocker
Robo Shield is a perfect tool to stop annoying spam calls. The app was developed by Pango, a mobile security company trusted by over 650 million users worldwide. Robo Shield allows you to create blocklists of your contacts or block callers by categories such as spam, scam, political, telemarketers, etc. Unlike other apps from the list, this service updates its spam number database every six minutes.
With Robo Shield, you can quickly look up any unknown number and instantly know if you have been contacted by scammers, spammers, telemarketers, etc. The app comes with a monthly subscription that costs $2.99/month.
The app is compatible with iOS and Android.
#6 Nomorobo Robocall Blocking
Nomorobo is one of the best call blockers that can bring peace and quiet back to your life. The app protects users from annoying robocalls, telemarketers, spam texts, and phone scammers. It comes with real-time protection from over 3,200,000 spam numbers and identifies over 1,500+ robocallers daily. On top of that, Nomorobo protects you from text spam and phishing attempts. It also allows you to send spam calls directly to voicemail.
The app is privacy-friendly and never accesses your call logs. It has already stopped 1.5 billion robocalls since 2013 and is trusted by over 2,500,000 people every day. Nomorobo provides a 14-day free trial for you to try the app and decide if it meets your needs.
You can download the app from App Store and Google Play.
#7 AT&T Call Protect
This is a well-received tool that may benefit AT&T network users. The app provides you with 24/7 automatic fraud call blocking and detects spam before your phone even rings. It sends unknown callers to voicemail and warns you of telemarketers, nonprofits, surveys, account services, private or political callers. You can also add particular callers to your personal blocklist.
AT&T Call Protect isn’t just a call blocker app. It is a community of people who help one another get rid of spam and report spam numbers. The app comes with a premium subscription that offers a caller ID feature and reverse number lookup.
You can download the app from the App Store and Google Play.