{"id":275073,"date":"2021-07-24T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-24T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/?guid=af02d552e9d2132edddd3495cbf0cb33"},"modified":"2021-07-24T17:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-24T17:00:00","slug":"nobody-likes-dealing-with-phone-calls-so-heres-how-to-block-them-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itteacheritfreelance.hk\/wordpress\/index.php\/2021\/07\/24\/nobody-likes-dealing-with-phone-calls-so-heres-how-to-block-them-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Nobody likes dealing with phone calls, so here’s how to block them all"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The best Android phones<\/a> can do just about anything these days \u2014 did you know they can even make phone calls, but you probably want to learn how to block incoming calls, right? You’ve probably gotten your fair share of spam calls in the last few years, and many carriers are actively working to prevent spam and “robocalls” from happening, but some people don’t want to receive calls at all. Whether you use VoIP services, carry a work phone that only needs access to data, or prefer texting over calling, here’s how you can quickly disable all incoming calls from ringing your phone.<\/p>\n

Get familiar with Do Not Disturb mode<\/h2>\n

Do Not Disturb<\/a> has been available since the release of Android Marshmallow<\/a> way back in 2015. This feature makes it so you can either temporarily (or permanently) disable notifications from coming through. With Do Not Disturb enabled, you can set various rules and schedules for your phone to follow, muting notifications for certain contacts, time periods, and more.<\/p>\n

The settings for DND have been fleshed out to the point that you can even make exceptions for different apps and different scenarios. It’s the best way to get some peace and quiet whenever you need it while still allowing some more important notifications to make it through to you.<\/p>\n

How to block incoming calls with Do Not Disturb<\/h2>\n

Disabling all incoming calls is easier than you might think. There’s no need to fuss with questionable third-party apps or sit on hold with your carrier to ask for manual call barring. In most cases, it’s as simple as tapping through a few menu screens.<\/p>\n

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  1. Open the Settings<\/strong> app on your phone. <\/li>\n
  2. Tap Sound<\/strong>. <\/li>\n
  3. \n

    Select Do Not Disturb<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. Tap Calls<\/strong>. <\/li>\n
  5. Tap Allow Calls<\/strong>. <\/li>\n
  6. Select Don’t allow any calls<\/strong> from the pop-up menu. <\/li>\n
  7. \n

    Toggle Allow repeat callers<\/strong> to the Off<\/strong> position.<\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Now that the Do Not Disturb settings have been set to block any phone calls, you’ll need to turn DND mode on. You can do this one of two ways. If you are still in the Do Not Disturb settings screen, tap the Turn on now<\/strong> button at the bottom of the screen. You can also simply swipe down to reveal the notification shade, swipe further to reveal the Quick Settings panel, and then tap Do Not Disturb<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    What happened to the old “Call Barring” method?<\/h2>\n

    The previous method involved a “Call Barring” feature and may still appear on some phones. This is related to the Sim Tools app, which is on just about every Android phone but is usually hidden from use. Whether it appears on your device or not is entirely up to your carrier. For those who want to try for the Call Barring method, here are the necessary steps:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Open the Phone app<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    2. Tap the menu overflow button<\/strong> (three dots) in the upper righthand corner.<\/li>\n
    3. Tap Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    4. \n

      Tap Calls<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    5. Within Call Settings, tap Call Barring<\/strong>. <\/li>\n
    6. Tap All Incoming<\/strong> (which should initially say “Disabled”).<\/li>\n
    7. Enter the call barring password<\/strong>. In most cases, this will be either 0000 or 1234.<\/li>\n
    8. Tap Turn On<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Use an app to block those calls<\/h2>\n

      If you don’t have a Pixel or Samsung smartphone, you aren’t completely left to deal with these repetitive calls. Thanks to the wonders of Android and the Play Store, you can grab one of the best Android apps<\/a>, which can help to serve the same purpose. One of these apps has even partnered with Samsung to provide spam call prevention on a system level. So here are a couple of apps for you to check out if you want to block calls.<\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      The free option<\/h3>\n

      Hiya – Call Blocker, Fraud Detection & Caller ID<\/h4>\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n

      Hiya has partnered with Samsung to provide spam protection for various devices. But the standalone apps works with many of the best Android phones, so you can block spam calls, look up phone numbers, and take advantage of its Caller ID functionality. This put a name to the number, giving you a better idea of whether you should answer the call or block the number.<\/p>\n

      Free w\/ IAP at Google Play<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      A step up<\/h3>\n

      RoboKiller – Spam and Robocall Blocker<\/h4>\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n

      RoboKiller is another great application that claims to block up to 99% of spam calls that come to your phone. There’s a seven-day free trial, and then you’ll have to sign up for a subscription if you decide that RoboKiller is worth blocking those calls.<\/p>\n

      Free w\/ IAP at Google Play<\/a><\/p>\n

      <\/p>\n

      How to block incoming calls on your Samsung phone<\/h2>\n

      <\/a><\/p>\n

      Now, we know that not everyone has a Pixel phone that can just take advantage of the Call Screening functionality. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still block calls on your Samsung phone. Here’s how to get started:<\/p>\n

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      1. Open the Phone<\/strong> app. <\/li>\n
      2. Tap the three-dot overflow menu icon in the top right-hand corner.<\/li>\n
      3. \n

        Select Settings<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      4. Select Block numbers<\/strong>. <\/li>\n
      5. Tap the toggle for Block unknown\/hidden numbers<\/strong> to On<\/strong> position. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Enable Spam Protection on your Samsung phone<\/h3>\n

        Now, we know that not everyone has a Pixel phone that can just take advantage of the Call Screening functionality. But Samsung has included its own version of Spam Protection for its various devices. This is done in conjunction with the Hiya Call Blocker app that we recommended previously. Here’s how you can get Spam Protection enabled and set up on your Samsung phone.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Open the Phone<\/strong> app. <\/li>\n
        2. Tap the three-dot overflow menu icon in the top right-hand corner.<\/li>\n
        3. Select Settings<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        4. \n

          Tap Caller ID and spam protection<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

          <\/a><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        5. Tap the toggle in the top right-hand corner to the On<\/strong> position. <\/li>\n
        6. Agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. <\/li>\n
        7. Tap the toggle next to Block spam and scam calls<\/strong>. <\/li>\n
        8. \n

          Select from the following options:<\/p>\n