Send spam calls to voicemail on iPhone & Android

Tell scammers to leave a message at the sound of the tone!

If you never want to accidentally pick up a spam call (or a call from anyone you don’t know) ever again, follow these simple steps to send calls straight to voicemail on both iPhone and Android devices.

Table of Contents:

How to send spam calls directly to voicemail

iPhone

If you want to send scammers directly to voicemail on your iPhone, you must have iOS 13 or later installed. Some phone carriers let you detect Junk callers and silence them, while some carriers only let you display the caller’s business ID information when calling.

You can also silence unknown callers which is a great option to send any call from someone you don’t know directly to voicemail.

Call Blocking & Identification

Open your iPhone Settings > Apps
Scroll down and tap Phone
Tap Call Blocking & Identification

If your phone carrier offers it, you can toggle on:

Silence Junk Callers – this option will automatically silence calls your phone carrier thinks is spam or junk
Business ID – this option will display the caller’s verified business ID so you have a better idea if it’s a junk caller or someone you may know

Silence Unknown Callers

silence unknown callers

Open your iPhone Settings
Scroll down and tap Phone
Tap Silence Unknown Callers

When this is toggled on, any call from someone who isn’t in your contacts, recent calls, Siri Suggestions, or texts will get sent straight to Voicemail.

Android

This was tested on a Samsung Galaxy. Settings may work on other Android devices although it may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

If you have a Google device like a Pixel that is updated or is from 2018 or later, your phone has a feature to filter out spam calls automatically. You can block (and sometimes report spam) calls in your phone’s settings.

Open the Phone app on your Android
Tap the three dots for more menu options on the top right
Tap Settings
Tap Caller ID & Spam (this may be listed as Caller ID and Spam Protector or not listed at all, depending on the carrier settings)
Toggle on “Turn Caller ID & Spam”
Turn on “Filter spam calls” or “Block spam and scam calls” which will send them straight to voicemail

block all spam and scam calls on an Android

Learn more ways to keep your devices private here.

How to keep spammers from getting your phone number

Regrettably, there is a high probability that your phone number is readily available on many lists sold by data brokers to hundreds of people search websites. However, if you remove it from the web it can reduce the likelihood of spammers and telemarketers obtaining your number and contacting you.

Incogni, a service I trust 100% and use myself, helps automate the process by submitting removal requests to hundreds of data brokers and people-search sites on your behalf.

Incogni automatically contacts data brokers on your behalf and requests the removal of your personal information. It also continues monitoring those sites and submits new removal requests if your data reappears.

Incogni currently removes personal data from 420+ data broker and people-search websites, and its Unlimited plan allows you to request removals from as many additional sites as you need.
Incogni has also received third-party assurance from Deloitte, validating its marketing claims.
The goal is simple: make it much harder for strangers, scammers, and cybercriminals to find your personal information online.

CyberGuy Exclusive: 60% off

CyberGuy readers get 60% off Incogni’s annual plans using the links in this article.

The service also includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free and see how much of your information is exposed online.

Get Incogni and remove your info

Protect your household with Incogni’s Family Plan

Get Incogni’s Family Plan