You sit down to enjoy a quiet cup of tea or a favorite television program when the shrill ring of your smartphone interrupts the moment. You glance at the screen and see a number you do not recognize—perhaps it even looks like it is coming from your own area code. You answer, only to hear a recording about your car’s expired warranty or a suspicious “agent” from the Social Security Administration. These interruptions are more than just a nuisance; they can be stressful and intrusive. Fortunately, your smartphone contains powerful tools designed to stop these interruptions before they even start.

Before you begin adjusting your settings, you may find it helpful to learn how to recognize and avoid phone scams that frequently target seniors.

Learning how to manage your incoming calls is a vital part of owning a modern device. It allows you to reclaim your peace of mind and ensures that when your phone rings, it is someone you actually want to speak with, such as a family member, a friend, or your doctor. This guide will walk you through the exact steps to identify, block, and report these unwanted callers. Whether you use an iPhone or an Android device, you can master these settings with just a few taps of your finger.

If you feel overwhelmed by technology, please know that you are not alone. Many people find these menus confusing at first. We will go slowly, explaining exactly where to look and what to press. By the time you finish reading, you will have the confidence to turn your smartphone into a quiet, helpful companion once again.

Table of Contents

• What You Will Need to Get Started
• How to Block a Specific Number on an iPhone
• Using the “Silence Unknown Callers” Feature on iPhone
• How to Block a Specific Number on Android Devices
• Enabling Built-In Spam Protection on Android
• Using Tools Provided by Your Service Provider
• The National Do Not Call Registry
• What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Quick Reference Checklist

What You Will Need to Get Started

Before we begin adjusting your settings, let’s make sure you have everything ready. You do not need to be a computer expert to follow these steps; you simply need a little bit of patience and your device in hand.

First, ensure your smartphone is sufficiently charged. It is best to have at least 20% battery life so the phone does not shut down while you are in the middle of a menu. If your battery is low, plug it into its charger now. Second, make sure you are in a place with a steady internet connection, either through your home Wi-Fi or your cellular data. While most blocking features work offline, some advanced spam-detection features require a connection to check numbers against a database.

Finally, have your reading glasses nearby if you use them. We will be looking at small icons—those little pictures on your screen—and reading text that can sometimes be quite fine. If you feel nervous about changing settings, remember that you can always change them back later. Nothing we do today will permanently “break” your phone or stop you from making emergency calls.

“You are in control of your technology. Every setting we change today is designed to make your phone serve you better, not the other way around.”

How to Block a Specific Number on an iPhone

If a specific person or company keeps calling you, the most direct solution is to block that individual number. When you block a number, your iPhone will not show you the call or alert you with a ringtone. The caller will be sent straight to your voicemail, but you will not receive a notification about it.

Follow these steps to block a number that has recently called you:

1. Find the Phone app icon on your home screen. It is a green square with a white picture of an old-fashioned telephone handset. Tap it (gently touch the screen once) to open it.
2. Look at the very bottom of the screen. You will see several options like “Favorites,” “Recents,” and “Contacts.” Tap on Recents. This is the icon that looks like a small clock.
3. You will now see a list of every phone number that has called you recently. Find the number you want to block.
4. To the right of that number, you will see a small blue circle with the letter “i” inside it. This stands for “information.” Tap that blue “i” icon.
5. A new screen will appear with details about that call. Use your finger to swipe (slide your finger upward) to scroll down to the very bottom of this page.
6. Tap the text that says Block this Caller. It is usually written in red letters.
7. A small menu will pop up from the bottom of the screen to confirm your choice. Tap Block Contact.

You have successfully blocked that number! They can no longer disturb you. If you ever realize you blocked someone by mistake, you can follow these same steps and tap “Unblock this Caller” at the bottom of their information page.

Using the “Silence Unknown Callers” Feature on iPhone

Sometimes, blocking one number at a time feels like a game of “Whac-A-Mole.” As soon as you block one, a new one appears. Apple created a feature called “Silence Unknown Callers” to handle this. When this is turned on, your phone will only ring if the person calling is in your Contacts (your digital address book), is someone you have recently called, or is someone Apple’s “Siri” intelligence recognizes from your emails or text messages.

If you find that your device stops notifying you of calls you actually wanted to receive, you can check our guide on what to do when your phone isn’t ringing.

Everyone else—all those unknown numbers—will go straight to your voicemail. Your phone will not ring, but the call will show up in your “Recents” list so you can check it later.

1. Find the Settings app on your home screen. It looks like a grey icon with gears or wheels on it. Tap it.
2. Scroll down through the list until you find Phone. It has the same green icon with a white handset that we saw earlier. Tap it.
3. Scroll down until you see the section labeled Silence Unknown Callers. Tap that text.
4. You will see a switch next to the words “Silence Unknown Callers.” If the switch is grey, the feature is off. Tap the switch so it turns green.

A word of caution: If you are expecting a call from a doctor’s office or a pharmacy that is not in your contact list, your phone will not ring while this feature is on. If you are expecting an important call from an unknown number, you might want to turn this feature off temporarily or make sure that office’s number is saved in your contacts first.

How to Block a Specific Number on Android Devices

Android phones are made by many different companies, such as Samsung, Google, and Motorola. While they all work similarly, the buttons might look a little different. Generally, most Android phones use a very similar method to block numbers.

1. Open the Phone app. This is usually a blue or green icon with a white handset, located at the bottom of your home screen.
2. Tap on Recents or Call History. This is often at the bottom or top of the screen and shows your list of recent calls.
3. Find the number you want to block. Instead of just tapping it quickly, press and hold your finger on the number for a second or two. This is called a “long-press.”
4. A menu will appear on the screen. Look for an option that says Block, Block/report junk, or Add to blocklist. Tap that option.
5. The phone may ask you if you are sure. It might also ask if you want to “Report call as spam.” Check that box if you like, then tap Block.

On some Samsung phones, you might need to tap the number first, then tap a small “i” icon or “Details,” and then look for the “Block” button at the bottom of the screen. If you don’t see it immediately, look for three vertical dots in the top right corner—this is often a “More” menu where blocking options are hidden.

Enabling Built-In Spam Protection on Android

Many Android devices, especially those made by Google (Pixel) or Samsung (Galaxy), have very smart features that can identify “Potential Spam” before you even answer. Sometimes, the screen will even turn red to warn you that a caller is likely a telemarketer.

To ensure these spam-fighting features have the latest information, it is important to know how to update your Android phone regularly.

To make sure these features are turned on, follow these steps:

1. Open your Phone app.
2. Look for the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen. Tap them.
3. Tap on Settings in the menu that appears.
4. Look for an option called Spam and Call Screen or Caller ID & spam. Tap it.
5. Ensure the switch for See caller and spam ID is turned on (it should be colored, not grey).
6. You may also see an option to Filter spam calls. If you turn this on, your phone will automatically prevent “high-risk” spam calls from ringing your phone at all.

This is a wonderful way to let the technology do the work for you. Google and Samsung maintain massive lists of known scam numbers and update your phone automatically to keep you protected.

Using Tools Provided by Your Service Provider

Sometimes, the software on your phone isn’t enough to stop the most persistent “robocalls”—automated calls made by computers. In these cases, your cellular service provider (like Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) can help. Most major carriers in the USA now offer free apps and services that block spam at the network level, before the call even reaches your device.

In addition to blocking calls, you can further protect your privacy by learning how to manage app permissions on your phone to control what data your apps can access.

Here are the primary services offered by the major carriers:

• AT&T: They offer an app called ActiveArmor. It can block fraudulent calls and label telemarketers for you.
• Verizon: Their service is called Call Filter. The basic version is free and helps identify and block spam.
• T-Mobile: They use a feature called Scam Shield. It is included with most plans and provides “Scam Block,” which stops known scammers from reaching you.

To use these, you usually need to download the specific app from the App Store (on iPhone) or the Google Play Store (on Android). If you are uncomfortable downloading apps, you can visit your local carrier store. The staff there is usually very happy to help seniors set up these free protections. You can also learn more about protecting yourself from scams at Senior Planet from AARP, which offers excellent technology training for older adults.

The National Do Not Call Registry

While blocking numbers on your phone is effective for modern scammers, the National Do Not Call Registry is a formal way to tell legitimate telemarketers to stop calling you. This is a free service managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

To register your number, you can visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register. It is a simple process that takes only a few minutes. Once you register, it may take up to 31 days for the calls from legitimate businesses to stop.

It is important to remember that while law-abiding businesses will respect this list, criminals and overseas scammers will not. This is why you should use the Do Not Call Registry in combination with the blocking features on your smartphone. For more information on how to protect your privacy and use technology safely, you can visit the AARP Technology Resources page.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

Technology is wonderful when it works, but it can be frustrating when it doesn’t. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

“I accidentally blocked my daughter/son!”
Don’t worry! This happens quite often. To unblock someone, go to your Settings, tap Phone, and then tap Blocked Contacts (on iPhone). On Android, go to your Phone app, tap the three dots, tap Settings, and then Blocked numbers. Find the person’s name or number in the list and tap the “X” or “Unblock” button next to it.

“My phone isn’t ringing at all anymore.”
If your phone has stopped ringing for everyone, you may have accidentally turned on Do Not Disturb mode or Silent mode.

• On an iPhone, look at the physical switch on the side of the phone. If you see orange, the phone is silenced. Flip the switch toward the screen. Also, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to see if a “Moon” or “Bed” icon is lit up; tap it to turn it off.
• On Android, swipe down from the very top of the screen to see your settings. Look for “Do Not Disturb” and make sure it is turned off.

“I keep getting ‘No Caller ID’ calls.”
Scammers sometimes hide their numbers so they appear as “Private” or “No Caller ID.” The “Silence Unknown Callers” feature on iPhone is the best way to stop these. On Android, go to Settings within the Phone app, tap Blocked numbers, and turn on the switch for Unknown (this blocks calls from unidentified callers).

“If you ever feel stuck, it is perfectly okay to ask for help. A neighbor, a grandchild, or a technician at your local phone store can usually solve these issues in just a few minutes.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. If I block a number, will they know I blocked them?
No. When a blocked caller tries to reach you, they will hear your normal greeting and can even leave a voicemail, but you will never be notified. To them, it simply sounds like you aren’t answering your phone. They do not receive any notification that they have been blocked.

2. Will blocking a number also stop their text messages?
Yes. On both iPhone and Android, when you block a phone number, it blocks both voice calls and text messages (SMS) from that specific number.

3. Why do I still get spam calls after registering for the Do Not Call list?
The Do Not Call Registry only applies to legitimate businesses that follow the law. Scammers and criminals who are trying to steal your information do not care about the law and will continue to call. This is why using the “Block” feature on your phone is so important.

4. Is it safe to press “1” to be removed from their list?
No. Never press any buttons or speak to an automated caller. If you press a button, it confirms to the scammer that your phone number is “active” and that a real person is listening. This often leads to even more spam calls in the future. Just hang up immediately.

Quick Reference Checklist

If you need a quick reminder of what we covered, here is a simple checklist you can refer to at any time:

• To block a recent caller (iPhone): Phone app > Recents > Tap “i” > Block this Caller.
• To block a recent caller (Android): Phone app > Recents > Long-press number > Block.
• To stop all strangers (iPhone): Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers > Turn On.
• To stop all strangers (Android): Phone app > Settings > Blocked Numbers > Block Unidentified Callers.
• To report professional telemarketers: Visit donotcall.gov and register your number.
• To get extra help: Download your carrier’s free app (Scam Shield, ActiveArmor, or Call Filter).

Remember, your smartphone is a tool designed to help you stay connected with the people you love. By taking these few steps to block unwanted callers, you are making your phone a safer and more pleasant device to use. You have done a great job today learning these new skills!

For more detailed tutorials on using your devices, GCFGlobal offers free, easy-to-follow lessons on a wide variety of technology topics.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Screens and menus may look slightly different depending on your device model and software version. When in doubt, visit your device’s official support website or ask a trusted family member for help.