(Tiny Tips) – Block All Calls Except Contacts – Continuously receiving calls from unknown numbers can destroy your productivity. You can enable DND (Do Not Disturb) mode on your Android or iPhone anytime. However, you may miss important messages when DND mode is active. If you frequently receive unwanted calls from random numbers, follow these steps to block all calls except those from your contacts on Android and iPhone.
Both Android and iOS have filters to block spam calls. However, some unknown numbers can bypass restrictions and make your phone ring during business hours. You can set Do Not Disturb mode only to allow calls from your contacts. You can also use a third-party app to block everyone except your contacts. First, let’s explore the built-in options.
BLOCK UNKNOWN NUMBERS FROM CALLING YOU ON ANDROID
You can block calls from unknown callers on Android. Active spam filter prevents pending spam calls from bothering you. Please follow the steps below to make changes.
Step 1: Launch the Phone app on Android. Tap the three vertical dots menu at the top-right corner and select Settings.
Step 2: Tap Caller ID and spam.
Step 3: Enable the Filter spam calls toggle.
Step 4: Go back and open Blocked numbers.
Step 5: Enable the Unknown toggle.
Allow Calls From Contacts Only on Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung uses a different Phone app on Galaxy phones. The steps to block unknown numbers differ on Samsung’s One UI. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Launch the Phone app on your Samsung Galaxy phone. Tap the three vertical dots menu and go to Settings.
Step 2: Enable the ‘Caller ID and spam protection’ toggle.
Step 3: Open the Blocked Numbers menu and toggle on the ‘Block unknown/private numbers’ toggle.
After that, unknown callers and telemarketers won’t bother you.
BLOCK ALL CALLS EXCEPT CONTACTS ON THE IPHONE
There is no way to block spam and unknown callers on iPhones directly. However, iOS offers an option to silence unknown callers. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll to Phone.
Step 2: Select Silence Unknown Callers.
Step 3: Disable the same toggle from the following menu.
ENABLE DO NOT DISTURB ON ANDROID
You can set your phone’s DND profile to allow calls from contacts only. Follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open Settings and select Notifications.
Step 2: Scroll to Do Not Disturb.
Step 3: Tap People. Select Calls.
Step 4: Tap the radio button beside Contacts.
Return to the Do Not Disturb menu and enable the option. Your Android will only notify you about alerts about important people and apps.
SWITCH ON DO NOT DISTURB ON SAMSUNG GALAXY PHONES
Samsung Galaxy phone users can go through the steps below to enable DND and only let people in the contacts list reach you via calls.
Step 1: Launch Settings and select Notifications.
Step 2: Tap Do not disturb.
Step 3: Select Calls, messages, and conversations under Exceptions. Tap Calls.
Step 4: Select Contacts only.
If you receive calls during an active Do Not Disturb mode, check our dedicated guide to fix the problem.
ENABLE FOCUS ON IPHONE
Apple has replaced Do Not Disturb with Focus on iPhone. You can create multiple Focus profiles and create a distract-free environment. Let’s check it in action.
Step 1: Launch Settings and select Focus.
Step 2: Tap Do Not Disturb.
Step 3: Select People.
Step 4: Tap Allow Calls From and select Contacts.
Whenever you enable the Do Not Disturb focus, iOS silences calls from everyone who isn’t on your contacts list.
USE THIRD-PARTY APPS TO BLOCK UNKNOWN CALLERS ON IPHONE AND ANDROID
If you want to dial up spam filters on your phone, use third-party apps. There is no shortage of these apps on the Play Store and the App Store, and among them, Truecaller is one of the most robust apps to get the job done. Let’s check it in action.
Truecaller on Android
Step 1: Download Truecaller on Android and install it on your phone.
Step 2: Open the Truecaller app, tap the three vertical dots menu at the top-right corner, and open Settings.
Step 3: Select Block and enable the ‘Block numbers not in the phonebook’ toggle.
Truecaller on iPhone
Step 1: Download and install Truecaller on your iPhone.
Step 2: Open the Truecaller app and give it the necessary permissions.
Step 3: Close the Truecaller app and open the Settings app.
Step 4: Scroll to Phone. Select Call Blocking & Identification.
Step 5: Enable Truecaller filters.
The Truecaller experience is much better on Android. Further, you may also enjoy reading how to use Truecaller to record calls on Android and iOS.
BLOCK INTERRUPTIONS ON YOUR PHONE
Most users should be happy with the built-in spam filters on Android and iPhone. You can also customize the DND profile to receive calls from contacts only. Third-party solutions like Truecaller are suitable for power users who want to block all the unnecessary callers on their phones.