Tech Made Simple

Hot Topics: How to Fix Bluetooth Pairing Problems | Complete Guide to Facebook Privacy | How to Block Spam Calls | Snapchat Symbol Meaning

author photo

How to Prevent Spam Callers From Leaving Voicemail

by on September 15, 2023
in Privacy, News, Phones and Mobile, Blog :: 99 comments

Techlicious editors independently review products. To help support our mission, we may earn affiliate commissions from links contained on this page.

Updated on 9/15/2023 with the latest instructions for blocking spam calls for Android and iOS, the best spam-blocking apps, and pricing for spam-blocking services.

Blocking of spam callers has gotten better, with all major carriers implementing STIR/SHAKEN (more on that below) and other carrier-based methods of preventing spam callers before they ever ring on your phone. But even with the newest technologies, it's clear from comments from our readers and my own experience that plenty of spam callers are still getting through. And if you don't answer those calls, they'll fill up your mailbox with sketchy messages about your car warranty or vacation club offers.

Smartphone showing an alert that the incoming call is a scam.

Unfortunately, preventing spam callers from leaving a voicemail on your cell phone can be tricky. I've researched the options from each carrier and tested a number of call-blocking apps to see what really works. Here are the best solutions I've found for blocking spam calls and voicemails directly through your phone, via your carrier, or a third-party app, and the features and limitations of each method.

Blocking Calls on iPhones (but not voicemail)

On iPhones running iOS 8 or higher, go to the Recent Calls tab in the Phone app, and tap the “i” icon at the right of the number that you want to block. If the number is in your Contacts list, open that contact’s page in the Contacts app. From the contact page for the caller or contact, scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Block This Caller.

But this method has two drawbacks. First, someone has to call you in order to block the number. And since spammers rarely use the same number or use the “neighborhood spoofing” technique (where they use your area code and three-number prefix), this won’t block the majority of spam calls you get. Second, those blocked calls still go to voicemail, though these voicemails show up in a "Blocked Messages" folder at the bottom of your list of voicemails, and you won't get a notification.

You can also choose to silence unknown callers – anyone who is not listed in your iPhone's Contacts. Your iPhone won't ring, but the calls will show up in recent calls, and you'll see voicemail in your regular voicemail inbox.

Blocking Calls on Android Phones (and voicemail on Pixel)

Android has built-in call blocking, similar to iOS. Just tap a number in your call log and hit Block/report spam. And like Apple, this method has the two same drawbacks – the spammer has to call you first, and blocked callers still go to voicemail.

Android also has the option in the Phone app settings to automatically identify and block suspected spam calls so they don’t ring your device. It should be on by default, but you can check by going to "Settings" in your Phone app, then "Caller ID & spam," and make sure "See caller and spam ID" IS toggled on. If you have a Samsung phone, go to your Phone app, open "Settings," and make sure "Caller ID and spam protection" is toggled on.

If you have a Google Pixel phone, you can choose to have Google Assistant answer a suspected spam call and transcribe the conversation in real-time, so you can decide if you want to answer the call or hang up. And since Google Assistant already picked up the call, hanging up won’t send it to voicemail. To turn it on, go to "Settings" in your Phone app, then "Spam and Call Screen," and make sure the " See caller & spam ID" is toggled on. Tap "Call Screen." Under “Unknown call settings,” tap the types of callers you’d like to screen "Spam," "Possibly faked numbers," "First-time callers," and "Private or hidden." To screen calls automatically, choose "Automatically screen. Decline robocalls."

Note: You need a default Caller ID and spam app selected for spam call blocking to work. Go to the main Settings app and then select "App" and "Default apps." Select "Caller ID & spam app," and select an app.

Spam Blocking Apps for Android & iOS

There are dozens of apps in the Apple App Store and Google Play that are labeled as call blockers. But you have to be very careful about which you install – you’re giving them full access to your phone, texts, contacts, and more, meaning there’s a lot of potential for misuse. And each of those apps will only perform as well as the technology (and the blacklist) running it. Also, while these apps will block calls, because of restrictions placed on apps by the Android and iOS operating systems, most won't stop those calls from going to voicemail.

However, the Call Control app for Android will actually block robocalls from leaving voicemail. Calls on your blocklist, neighborhood spoofing calls, and calls identified by Call Control's community blocking are simply dropped – no ring, no mailbox filling up with crap you have to delete. At $29.99 per year, it's not cheap, but that's in line with other major call blockers, such as Robokiller, Hiya, or Truecaller, that don't offer voicemail-blocking capabilities. Call Control does have a free offering, which blocks neighborhood spoofing numbers but not numbers on the community blocklist; if most of the calls you receive are of that variety, you can get away with this option.

Unfortunately, Call Control for iOS doesn't offer voicemail blocking because of limitations Apple puts on iOS device access, so you're probably better off with Robokiller, Hiya or Truecaller, who have larger community blocking lists. Personally, I prefer Hiya, which white-labels its technology to Samsung, AT&T, and others, has an extensive community-driven blacklist, allows you to block neighborhood spoofing calls, and even provides caller ID features that you would usually have to pay for with your carrier.

Call Control is $3.33 per month or $29.99 per year, Hiya is $3.99 per month or $24.99 per year, Robokiller is $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, and Truecaller is $4.49 per month or $29.99 per year.

Blocking via Google Voice

Google Voice provides another way to block pesky spam calls and prevent them from going to voicemail. The trick is you need to switch to Google Voice as your main number and stop giving out your old carrier number. With Voice, you can block known spam calls in three ways: by sending calls to voicemail, by treating the call as spam (letting the caller leave voicemail but tagging it as spam), or by call blocking (in which case the caller will hear a “Number not in service” message and will not be able to leave voice mail).

The big drawback here is that your Google Voice number now becomes your main number, which you forward to the number from your carrier, and you need to use the Google Voice app as the main calling app on your phone. And there’s still no guarantee that spam callers won’t call your carrier number directly, either because it’s already out there (learn how telemarketers get your number) or simply because the robodialers are going through every number combination.

Carrier-level blocking

Truly effective call blocking and voicemail prevention need to be at the carrier level – it’s the carriers who have the technical capability to identify call origination sources and create services that prevent spam and blocked calls from going to voicemail (since they’re the ones that control the voicemail service). Under the TRACED Act, carriers can block suspected spam calls before they reach your device.

The FCC has also been working with carriers for years to deploy a technology called STIR/SHAKEN, which authenticates calls. When a call originates, the caller ID is "signed" as legitimate and is validated each step of the way, as it moves from network to network, before reaching you. The major carriers have implemented STIR/SHAKEN and show when a number has been verified. This can show up as a "verified number," "caller verified," or "valid number." On iPhones running iOS 13 or higher, you'll see a checkmark under calls in your Recent Calls list that have been verified. Right now, the lack of these verification labels doesn't mean that the number is spoofed. It just means that numbers with the tag have been successfully validated all the way through the call routing, and you know the number isn't spoofed.

This year, the FCC took additional steps to curb spam calls by requiring gateway providers, those that provide access from overseas callers to U.S. networks, to implement STIR/SHAKEN. And the FCC has expanded carrier obligations to curb spam calls.

Even with these protections, spam calls are getting through. So all the major carriers offer various flavors of spam blocking services, some free and some which you have the privilege of paying extra for.

Call blocking on AT&T

At a basic level, AT&T postpaid customers can activate AT&T’s free ActiveArmor service on their accounts with the ActiveArmor app. ActiveArmor will block known spam calls entirely, preventing them from leaving a voicemail and letting you block specific numbers. You'll also see "Valid Number" if the call has been verified.

If you want more features, you can upgrade to Call ActiveArmor Advanced for $3.99 a month. ActiveArmor Advanced users can block categories of calls, including private callers, political calls, telemarketers, account services, and general spam. You can choose to have these calls go to voicemail or be blocked entirely. And you can do a reverse number lookup to see who's calling. In addition, ActiveArmor Advanced includes Caller ID and a VPN.

Call blocking on T-Mobile

T-Mobile customers can download and use the free Scam Shield app to be notified when scam calls come in. You can also turn on T-Mobile's scam blocking by dialing #662# and pressing the call button. You'll also see "Caller Verified" in the information about the call if the call has been verified.

For $4 a month, Scam Shield Premium lets you block "spam likely" calls before they reach your phone, see Caller ID for people not in your contacts, and send categories of calls, like telemarketing calls, survey calls, political calls, and charity calls, straight to voicemail. And, you can do a reverse number lookup to see who's calling.

Call blocking on Verizon

Verizon's Call Filter service offers spam blocking for free. You'll get a warning of incoming likely spam and can send those calls to voicemail. With the app, you can block spam calls by risk level (either send to voicemail or hang up), report calls to improve Verizon's community blocking list, and add neighborhood spoofing protection. For $3.99, you can get Call Filter Plus, which offers more advanced caller ID, including viewing incoming-call risk level, and reverse number lookup features.

While all of the options above will help you block calls and, in some cases, stop spammers from leaving a voicemail, the best way to prevent these calls in the first place is to learn how telemarketers get your cell phone number – and then don’t let them have it.

[Image credit: scam call via BigStockPhoto]

Josh Kirschner is the co-founder of Techlicious and has been covering consumer tech for more than a decade. Josh started his first company while still in college, a consumer electronics retailer focused on students. His writing has been featured in Today.com, NBC News and Time.


Discussion loading

Rubbish article

From Toad Hall on October 10, 2018 :: 8:21 pm

“learn how they get your cell phone number — and then don’t let them have it. “

Damned stupid suggestion. I have never given my number to anyone except immediate family. The spammers just call every number one after the other until they find a live phone

Reply

Blocking doesnt work

From Maria on November 01, 2018 :: 12:24 pm

I have call blocking, on my phone and on my voice mail.

There are some spam calls that don’t show up on my phone or incoming phone call list.  These numbers do show up on the voice mail I use, but even though I block them, they still come through.  I have to manually block them for some reason instead of just doing the “block number” bit by hitting the “block number” feature.

No matter HOW I block these numbers, they STILL get through, but they DO NOT show up on my ID caller screen.

There is also a scam robo caller with a prerecorded message that even gives a phone number.  (yes it IS a scam, I’ve done my research)  And no matter what I do, even though the number shows up on both the phone and the voice mail, it keeps coming through.

I keep having to change my phone number to escape these psycho calls, but they end up finding my phone number again.

And putting my phone number on the Do Not Call Registry doesn’t do any good.

Even filing complaints on these scammers and their numbers to the FCC doesn’t do any good.

There’s got to be a program that can deal with scam numbers.  For example:  If the phone number isn’t listed with a name and address online or in any online phone book, it doesn’t allow the call to get through if it’s on your list.

There’s got to be a solution for this somewhere.

Reply

CALLS NOT BEING BLOCKED

From Samuel J. Presley on May 30, 2022 :: 3:58 am

Hi…

If you are on TMobile Cell Service Use:

**67*15555555555# dialed into your Android Phone Dialer and Possibly iphones With TMobile Cell Service then press the phone icon inside dialer keypad to initiate a SSDD short code setup to change where blocked calls go to which won’t be Tmobiles voicemail number.

**67*CC+Ac+prfx+last 4 of number# is the new number that Numbers blocked in 3rd party call blocking apps and Blocked numbers set on Android and iPhone internal Reject list.

I use this to send blocked numbers to my TMobile Spam Voicemail box which I don’t get notifications from and it gets deleted every 30 Days. I also have called I’d hidden numbers go there as well as unknown Caller ID numbers goto.

The 1-555-555-5555 number is never used and when a blocked calls gets redirected to this number then the blocked caller will hear a few rings on their side then the call will automatically hang up..

Only thing you might see is a blocked calls number in your recent call log..

Hope this helps TMobile Cell Service Users Out.. If you wanna Reset all Call forwarding settings back to normal goto phone dialer app then tap ##004# then press phone receiver icon to change call forwarding settings back to normal..

This all works perfectly for me since I’m a TMobile User .....

Reply

Disabling Call Forward works - Try It

From Debbie on November 10, 2018 :: 7:25 pm

Had the same issue ... blocked calls kept getting through to VM. I found out from my carrier, Freedom Mobile (formerly Wind Mobile) last year that ‘Call Forwarding’(CF) is the default setting on mobile phones. They explained that CF is UNCONDITIONAL; meaning regardless of blocked or not, all incoming, unanswered, calls to to VM. Blocked call features on phones, while CF is activated only block the phone from ringing, but the caller has no idea, as the ring is just turned off.

When my phone had to be factory reset during repair, the issue re-occurred because it reset to defaults.

Contact your provider and determine how to turn off CF and your phone will utilize the blocked feature as intended without UNCONDITIONAL CF.

It may be the same on all android, or just for Freedom mobile, but here is how I turn mine off, as an example:

To disable CF: dial ##21#
To enable CF:  dial *21##
To disable CF for specific numbers:  dial*21*phonenumber#

As I say, worth a try or a call to your carrier. Problem with the apps to do this is security.

Cheers!
Debbie

Reply

Not clear how that would work as intended

From Josh Kirschner on November 12, 2018 :: 8:23 pm

Shutting off call forwarding may prevent calls from going to voicemail, but it will prevent ALL calls from going to voicemail, not just spam calls.

Reply

It works by shutting off the 'Unconditional' Voicemail Activation

From Debbie on November 14, 2018 :: 10:03 pm

Best I can explain based on the technical support I received, call forward activation is unconditional call forward. Conditional voicemail is already in place as long as your plan comes with voicemail. Blocking a caller is a condition of voicemail in normal voice mail mode. As I said, it works for me when I originally did it and when my phone was reset to factory settings. No harm in trying it, is all I’m saying. Disable Unconditional Voicemail and perhaps call yourself from a landline to see if you go to your voicemail. Unless you’ve blocked your own number, it should. Can also try blocking and unblocking your own number, once you’re disabled it, to see the difference. If it doesn’t work, turn your Unconditional Voicemail back on, and you’re back where you started.

Reply

I just tried this (entering

From Cindy on February 24, 2019 :: 2:30 pm

I just tried this (entering the code to prevent specific numbers from forwarding), and instead, it forwarded ALL my calls TO the number I was trying to prevent from being forwarded.

Reply

Now there are three ways

From Alise on November 26, 2018 :: 8:32 am

Now there are three ways to stop spam. The first is to use native iOS and Android blocking functions. The second is to use third-party spam blocking apps and the third- not use a mobile phone. Actually, we can’t stop using our phones as they offer us so many abilities every day. Native OS functions are not always effective, so spam blocking apps is what we really need. When I understood this, I installed CallHound app https://itunes.apple.com/app/id1293775392, created some filtering rules there and switched on the option for blocking calls from short numbers. Now, this app helps me a lot to block unwanted calls, so I can highly recommend it.

Reply

Spam calls.

From Oz Hog on November 30, 2018 :: 7:47 pm

If I didn’t get spam calls I wouldn’t get any calls at all!

Reply

DNC list sham

From Sara Andersen on February 04, 2019 :: 6:52 pm

Hey-I bet the government DNC list actually harvests our numbers for these scam callers. I added my number on the DNC list a long time ago. That was my home number, it worked well for several years, or so I thought. What seems like is happening now, especially since I added my recently-changed cell phone number on the DNC list, is that I have a lot more telemarketing calls. I probably get 14 to 18 a day & sometimes as many as 20. Positive it will get worse. This is becoming a joke. Service carriers CAN & SHOULD use their tech to block these.

Reply

Since most of the comments from last year

From Rhonda Bormann on February 13, 2019 :: 3:39 pm

Has anyone discovered a way for spam callers which you may have blocked to then leave a voicemail with nothing in the voicemail.  It gets annoying to have to listen and delete these voicemails.

Reply

Our recommendations are up to date

From Josh Kirschner on February 13, 2019 :: 6:08 pm

The recommendations in the article are pretty up to date. Unfortunately, your options for blocking spammers from voicemail are still pretty limited. However, one thing I did which helps was to turn on Visual Voicemail in my Android phone settings. Visual Voicemail makes it much faster to screen my voicemail messages and delete those that are spam or empty.

Reply

Visual Voicemail

From Mike B on May 05, 2022 :: 4:06 pm

I like Visual Voicemail and Visual Screenining to cut down scam calls that I happen to have my phone on me 95% of the time thereis two in the history but 20 voicemails snuck through with no number or nothing just a bunch of blah blah scams the feds and social security just say keep reporting them

Reply

Damn voicemails

From Judy Darr on April 26, 2019 :: 6:30 pm

Yes, me too!! We need help!!

Reply

Talking to robo c

From Marsha Jones on March 13, 2019 :: 12:55 am

On You Tube, there are some fellas who get them to stop calling by answering and then -well, they have several different ways-all of them humorous- that makes the caller hang up!It’s clever and hilarious. Please listen. I did it and started my day w/ a smile when I used one of their methods.

Reply

Not a good idea

From Josh Kirschner on March 13, 2019 :: 5:08 pm

If your goal is to stop robocallers, do not engage with the call or callers. Doing so confirms your number is valid, which could lead to more calls.

On the other hand, if you just want to waste their time and have some fun…

Reply

have your carrier totally disable call forwarding when busy

From SAM PRESLEY on May 15, 2019 :: 11:57 am

If you have your cell carrier disable CWFB - call forward when busy on your line then blocked calls cant ring your device or leave voicemails because the blocked number calling will only hear 3 rings in their ear then total silence.

I live in USA wa state and having turned off CFWB thru tmobile did the trick and no more voicemails from blocked numbe tr s.

I dont know why you all aren’t paying attention to my previous post about this.

It’s no joke and works perfectly to stop voicemails from 3rd party as apps that normally as well as android phone reject list.

Reply

Known Spammers Dont Answer

From John on May 23, 2019 :: 8:46 pm

Figured I would put a list of scammers that called me and a couple of my friends. That way robots could pick them up and call them.
843-485-xxxx

Reply

Please stop posting these numbers on our site

From Josh Kirschner on May 24, 2019 :: 9:09 am

Spammers spoof numbers. Posting a list of numbers from spam calls is likely just posting a list of completely innocent people. We’ve removed the numbers from your post.

Reply

How to Prevent Spam Callers From Leaving Voicemail

From P. D. Mahoney on July 16, 2019 :: 4:15 pm

Hey, Josh.  I stumbled upon a combo fix for my iPhone that seems to be working well.  Our carrier is Verizon Wireless.  I use the free version of their Call Filter app and also subscribe to the NoMoRobo app. Both apps are enabled in Settings and, yes, both have access to my contacts.  I had been using Nomorobo for about a year, but spam was still getting through on an almost daily basis, albeit much less than when I had no filters.  Adding Call Filter to the mix changed the game.  Legitimate calls come through without a hitch, and peace otherwise reigns supreme. For the time being, I view providing access to my contacts as a practical compromise given the onslaught of spam I used to get. But that has to be monitored.  Sharing FWIW.

Reply

I tried this...

From Lynn Brooks on July 18, 2019 :: 8:28 pm

I have an iPhone 7.  When the phone rings either gives the phone number or not, I use the message option to answer.  I created 2 messages of my own.  The first one says “no ID, no answer”.  The second one says “STOP”.  This sends the calls to voice mail which I can then block later on.  I also rechecked that my phone number is still on the Do Not Call list and it is.  From information provided by the Do Not Call folks, they inform you that once you tell a caller to remove you from the list or reply STOP, they can no longer legally call you.  It takes some work, but I am finally getting fewer calls!  And I did it all by myself :o)

Reply

Caller ID & spam and Filter spam calls switches

From Jim Brown on July 26, 2019 :: 2:27 pm

I just bought a new Samsung phone and it does not have these options under the phone settings.

Reply

Samsung uses a proprietary system in conjunction with Hiya

From Josh Kirschner on July 29, 2019 :: 1:04 pm

Samsung has its own calling/spam blocking system based on Hiya’s tech. You can read more about it here: https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/apps/smart-call/.

Reply

Can't block spam calls

From Dana W. on September 08, 2019 :: 3:06 pm

Read the article then went to the settings on my Android phone.  Unfortunately settings doesn’t have either Caller ID or Spam options. 

I have a 3 yr old Motorola Moto G5 Plus phone so it isn’t super expensive but not super cheap either.

Current plan is with Ultra Mobile a division of T-mobile which is quite cheap.  I pay about $24/month (taxes incl) for unlimited talk and text and 3 GIG of data which is plenty for me.  There are other price options.

Can only hope the government and carriers will really do something about spammers and robocallers.  Aside from the nuisance factor many people believe them and get scammed out of money.

Reply

To stop blocked numbers from going to contacts. (New)

From Samuel J. Presley on November 21, 2019 :: 10:49 am

Hi there all,

If you wanna to try to stop blocked numbers or numbers from being able to leave messages in your voicemail then download the free app Call Blocker by Kite Tech.

I got a new phone which is a OnePlus 7 Pro TMobile USA version and this app works excellent because it picks up blocked private numbers and numbers on call blocker app blacklist as well as option to block numbers not on your contacts and instantly hangs up on the call.

I find this free app excellent..

Please let me know what you think about the above forementioned app works out for you because I’m curious if the pickup and hangup feature works on other Android Devices..

P.S. you will see the blocked call(s) listed as a missed call while blocking calls and caller ID hidden blocked numbers…

Hope this advice helps you all out there..

Reply

Blocking voice mails from blocked numbers with android and tmobile

From Sammy Presley on June 15, 2020 :: 9:11 pm

you can turn call forward when busy to 1 253 426 XXXX in your call forwarding settings forward busy only line only by erasing the voice mail number there and entering 1 253 426 XXXX then pressing update to save the number.

I’m using that method right now to avoid voicemails of blocked numbers. It works fabulous but don’t change any other vm settings under call forwarding or you won’t receive voice mails from unblocked callers.

This works perfect for tmobile subscribers.

Let me know how it works for you all.

Reply

Edited your comment to remove numbers

From Josh Kirschner on June 16, 2020 :: 12:43 pm

Hi Sammy,

I edited your comment because I’m not following how you implement the advice you’re providing and I wasn’t clear on whether the numbers you listed are personal numbers or something else. If you can clarify, we can restore the numbers or edit as appropriate.

Best,
Josh

Reply

Blocking voice mails from blocked numbers with android and tmobile

From Sammy Presley on June 17, 2020 :: 12:58 pm

Josh,

The number I posted is my old Google voice number which was sorta deactivated by Google for misuse they claim.all I used it for is testing of my blocking setup and to test to find the time when my androids default dialer reject list and contacts would mess up and cause problems when unblocked callers would call me..

Right now the number is set to say when called something to the effect that we can’t complete your call and hangs up which makes it perfect number to replace tmobiles voice mail number in the call forwardings forward when busy line so essentially when a blocked number calls back then they receive the message then the call is hung up on not allowing the blocked call to leave a voicemail. Please keep 1 253 426 3782 available to all that wanna use it for blocking voicemails.

I hope u do understand Josh. I use it my self for blocking blocked callers from leaving me voicemails and it works perfectly..

Thank you.

Reply

Blocking voice mails from blocked numbers with android and tmobile

From Sammy Presley on June 18, 2020 :: 1:35 pm

add to my post above..

Use **67*2534263782# dialed from phone dialer to keep blocked numbers from leaving voicemails.

This is for tmobile subscribers.

Unblocked callers can leave voicemails with no problems.

Thank you Josh.

Reply

Block blocked calls from leaving voicemail

From Sammy Presley on July 13, 2020 :: 1:14 pm

JOSH,

Google has decided to at end of this month to disable 253 426 3782 number i posted above from being used anymore so I found a number that just rings and rings and never gets answer or at times says the call needs a coin deposit a few times then hangs up.

So for the above article I wrote change the number to 13012929908 instead of 12534263782.

The new thing is **67*13012929908# now for tmobile and will only block blocked numbers whe n added to the androids internal reject list or when calls are blocked a installed 3rd party call blocking app. This way won’t block voicemails from a turned off phone or a non answered call that isnt blocked. But it works because the line the # gets added to is busy only under call forwarding. Thanks. SAM Presley

Reply

Block blocked calls from leaving voicemail

From Sammy Presley on July 13, 2020 :: 1:34 pm

Josh,


sorry I accidentally pressed the http link in email I got so please leave my email address here please so if anyone has questions about my posts they cam email me at sammypresley@gmail.com.  I welcome the emails. I encourage them from those that need help with my method to email me.

Reply

Warning on Call Control App

From Rick Thompson on September 21, 2020 :: 3:10 pm

Don’t use Call Control if you care about privacy and not being tracked. For one, you have to give the app access to literally everything on your phone. Secondly, there are 11 trackers built into it. It has a privacy rating of ZERO from Exodus Privacy Analyses.

Want to know what I did? I let my mailbox fill up and I leave it that way. I just don’t really care. Everyone I know knows that they have to text me to get me a message and everyone else… like I said, I don’t really care.

Reply

You need context

From Josh Kirschner on September 21, 2020 :: 10:39 pm

All of the call blocking apps - Hiya, Truecaller and, yes, Call Control - need those permissions to perform the functions of managing your phone and messages, among other features. That’s why it’s important to understand who is producing the app and only use those you trust. Hiya and Truecaller are well-known, highly regarded apps. I spoke directly with the developers of Call Control (based in Seattle) when I originally reviewed the app. and you can read more about their privacy in my review.

As Call Control is ad supported for the free version, there are ad trackers, as there are in any ad supported app.

If either of the above things concern you, you certainly don’t need to download Call Control or any other app. Though for many people, giving up on voicemail entirely isn’t a viable solution.

Reply

Dated

From Herkie on October 20, 2020 :: 11:44 am

This is old and useless advice, I get spam robocalls mostly in Spanish that leave voicemails but without there being a ringtone nor a number from an incoming call in my inbox that I can open with my Android to block.  They can call anytime 24/7 and I can’t block them because they do not show up in my call log. 

As scammers and spammers get more sophisticated it would appear the only solution will be to adopt laws that prohibit telephone solisitation entirely.  Which SHOULD have been done decades ago.  I would prefer a law that requires prison time, confiscatory fines, and extreme ease of use for the party being spammed. 

The do not call list never EVER worked, no efforts were put into enforcement.  I think about 6 months after the law was passed the goverenment stopped even checking it.  It was itself just a scam to make people feel like government was helping them out.  It wasn’t.

Reply

Block blocked calls from leaving voicemail

From SAMUEL PRESLEY on February 21, 2021 :: 4:29 pm

Hi there.

This tip works on my T-Mobile device perfectly to block blocked numbers from leaving voice mails and I 100 percent guarantee it.

1. Open your call forwarding settings
2. Look for a line labeled Forward when busy
  Or labeled Busy.
3. That line is used when you entered a number
  To be blocked in your devices Reject List
  To send blocked numbers to voicemail.
4. Type or paste this number +9143459935   to
  That line only which is a constantly always
  Busy number.
5. Then press Update to save this number in
  The call forwarding settings.

Once you do this use another phone with it’s number blocked on your cell device to verify
  That once you call your device from the blocked number plays a Nynex message stating
  Excuse me you need to insert 5 Cents for
  The next 2 minutes or your call will be terminated 2 times and the blocked caller won’t be able to leave any voicemails.

I’ve got this setup on my lgv60 think 5g usa t-mobile device and it works great for blocking
Unwanted voicemails from blocked callers .

Reply

new user from Old School

From Old School about some things on March 08, 2021 :: 2:25 pm

I will not enable VM (or power-ON keycode).
What else should I not start?

Reply

Block blocked calls from leaving voicemail

From SAMUEL PRESLEY on June 03, 2021 :: 8:13 am

Best way to block blocked numbers from leaving voicemail on main cell # is to get free digits line from T-Mobile and then have it setup and after it’s setup use in phones dialer **67*1 then number for digits line followed by # then press receiver icon in the dialer app.

Now just start blocking numbers using built in device reject list and or a 3rd party block program to block numbers and the blocked numbers will be sent to digits voiceline voicemail and you will only know the caller called by seeing blocked number in your recent call log.

For this not to notify you of inc calls on digits don’t install tmobiles digits app.

Hope you enjoy this trick. I use it my self and never check the digits line voicemail and with my lgv60 ThinQ 5g phone blocked numbers internally are auto deleted from my recent calls log and the digits voicemail is auto deleted every 30 days and it doesn’t matter if it’s full or not full.

Also on lgv60 ThinQ from T-Mobile it has a digits filter built in os for starts with and blocking area codes and such so if you get a area code with many spam calls from it just block +1AreaCode to it and then there sent to digits voicemail if you used the **67* trick above with your digits number added..

Enjoy.

Reply

Block blocked calls from leaving voicemail II

From SAMUEL PRESLEY on June 03, 2021 :: 2:04 pm

Grab contacts only from Amazon app store for your Android then change your CFWB number I’m phones call forwarding section to +1-555-555-5555 then no more voice nails from non contact numbers..

This is a second trick I found out.

Reply

sort comments by most recent on top

From stephen mehl on July 16, 2021 :: 2:15 pm

Thanks for the comments.
Most recent on top would be more relevant.

Reply

Pickup & Hangup

From Denise on July 25, 2021 :: 2:45 am

Should I Answer? for Android works the best.  You can choose pickup and hangup for spam scam calls.  They can not get to your VM, it just hangs up on them.

Reply

NoPhoneSpam

From SAMUEL PRESLEY on July 25, 2021 :: 1:26 pm

Hey all there is a very kewl 3rd party app hosted Thru F-Droid that allows you to block full and partial Numbers and it shows Blocked numbers in Androids notification bar with the name you setup numbers to be blocked and best of all it allows the list of blocked numbers to be saved in a . Db file inside the Android devices internal storage space. It’s FREE AND HAS NO ADS.

Only thing I hate is there is no Icon for it in status bar to say it’s running. Only way to see that is when a full or partial or area code you blocked tries to reach you.

Hope this helps..

Reply

Help! An abuser is blocked but keep leaving me a voicemail for 7 years

From An Abused Woman on November 01, 2021 :: 10:55 pm

I have been harrassed for 7 years now by a former boyfriend.  He is blocked but is still able to leave a message 10 times a day inspite of the protective order.  I have a Tmobile phone.. how do I stop the harrassing voicemails?

Reply

There are a few options

From Josh Kirschner on November 02, 2021 :: 11:56 am

The best option is to use a call blocking app like Call Control (mentioned above) that will answer blocked numbers and hang up, preventing them from going to voice mail.

But the app solution will only go so far - it would be easy for him to change his number and continue to harass you. Given the protective order, it sounds like this is an issue that should be resolved through the legal route by notifying the court of his violations. This is a discussion to have with your attorney.

Reply

Call vs. voicemail blocking

From Danley B Wolfe on December 28, 2021 :: 5:27 pm

I use Hiya and generally happy with .. I block incoming calls by area code ... around 230 area codes currently blocked. Unfortunately I can’t
practically block my area codes and the area codes surrounding my a rea code (central Ohio) or it would interfere with my daily life etc.  If an area code is blocked the call cannot be connected and if the call cannot be connected they cannot leave a voice mail.

Reply

Number Shield on Google play

From SAMUEL PRESLEY on March 06, 2022 :: 10:38 pm

There is a Terriffic blocking app on Android called Number Shield which allows completely blocking of full numbers and area codes and still will allow unblocked numbers to ring thru as well as numbers in your contact list.

My current setup is Number Shield for blocking with wanted numbers in my contacts list and number Shield to in settings allow contacts as well as since I’m a TMobile User to do a **67*15555555555# in my dialer to remove TMobile voicemail number from being accessed when a blocked number calls me.

In Number Shield you can block everything by entering ########## 10 #‘s or you can block each number singly or you can block like for example 123####### which would block all numbers from 123 area code and be sent to the number entered above which is 555-555-5555 non used number which constantly just rings and rings. The 555 number and area code 555 was just setup for the movie industry and donest work for us in the real world ..

Please trust me this works because I would never post something here that doesn’t work..

Just remember these instructions are for TMobile Cell Service Only…

Email is appreciated so please email me at sammypresley@gmail.com if you need help with this and I’ll provide help to you ..

Thank you..

Sammy Presley

Reply

Please listen up

From Samuel J Presley on May 06, 2022 :: 11:12 am

All please check your dialers call fowarding settings on your device and if You see any lines labeled unanswered and valuable please make sure you do not change the number posted there because they aren’t needed for call blocking.
If you see something labeled Call forward when busy or busy change the number in that line only to +15555555555.

Doing this will prevent built in reject list numbers and if you use a 3rd party call block app to block numbers instead of internal reject list then the no voice mail trick will work for that too.

The reason I keep posting this stuff is to let you all know what I’m saying does work and if you’re a TMobile phone service user enter **6*15555555555# in your phone dialer and press the phone icon to ave it setup.

I hope you will believe me because I use this method on my TMobile a LG device and it works as I’m telling you it does…

The reason why this wors for busy or call forward when busy is because that is how call forwarding when busy works thee is no real block a call block reject app just uses Android setings to send the reject list or 3rd party list of numbers to the +15555555555 number avoiding calling your voicemail number.

When I can get some free time I’ll do some digging with various carriers to see what code is needed to change number for busy/forward when busy to avoid voicemail then I’ll post them .

Reply

Why Android doesn't do Pickup and hangup to block voicemails

From Samuel J Presley on May 06, 2022 :: 12:49 pm

Yes In the olde days googles Android os used to have pick up and hangup as part of their call Blocking and you wonder why it is gone today.

Well think of it this way:

If scammer or a premium toll number calls you then they could charge your phone bill for the cost of the call be because you answered it. Plain and simple.

Having a feature built into your OS that picks up and hangs up on blocked calls works about the same way with calls that charge your phone bill for simply answering the call.

That’s why when I found out the **67*  cc+ac+number# trick in your TMobile dialer to avoid voicemails sent blocked numbers in your devices reject list or blocked numbers in any 3rd party app to the new number you added in the **67* uusd code above was the best thing to avoid voicemails from being able to leave you voicemails.

I hope you all do understand why Android no longer has the pickup and hangup option for blocking blocked numbers From leaving voicemails.

Reply

I use a combination of methods to stop them from leaving voicemails

From Jeff K on June 26, 2022 :: 9:44 pm

I change phones and plans so frequently that I no longer use the phone number that comes with my smart phone.  I just got a Google Voice number that I use for everything and forward calls to whatever phone I am using.  I got a call blocker app on my phone that has a “whitelist” option which only allows my Google Voice number to ring through on my phone.  All other calls are immediately sent to my smart phones voicemail which I purposely leave full all the time so that voicemail just tells them my voicemail box is full and then hangs up on them.  They don’t get to leave any annoying messages for me.  I never hear them call me and I never hear any messages from them.  All important calls ring through on my Google Voice number and if for some reason I can’t answer that call it goes to my Google Voice voicemail box and they can leave a message for me which is then transcribed into text and sent as a text message to my smart phone.

Reply

Read More Comments: 1 2

Love getting helpful tech tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter!

Home | About | Meet the Team | Contact Us
Media Kit | Newsletter Sponsorships
Accessibility Statement
Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookie Policy

Techlicious participates in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which provide a small commission from some, but not all, of the "click-thru to buy" links contained in our articles. These click-thru links are determined after the article has been written, based on price and product availability — the commissions do not impact our choice of recommended product, nor the price you pay. When you use these links, you help support our ongoing editorial mission to provide you with the best product recommendations.

© Techlicious LLC.