AbleProFAIR OR NOT
☰ Menu
Pay · what you’re chargedOwn · what happens after you buyAgree · what you sign or clickTrust · who is really on your sideHelp · getting a problem fixedData · what happens to your informationBrowse by area of lifeReport a problemRead reportsCommon pricing problemsNickel-and-dime tacticsFind your subscriptionsFree toolsGuidesComplain in your stateSearch
Report a problem
Home › Pay › Common problems › Call and text blocker apps
Apps

Call and text blocker apps

Unwanted calls and texts are frustrating, and blocker apps promise relief. Before you pay, check what you already have. iPhones and many Android phones include tools to screen or silence unknown callers, phone companies offer call-blocking and spam labeling, and the National Do Not Call Registry is free. This page covers common tricks, free tools, and how to cancel a blocker app.

Common problems to watch for

  • Scare messages about scam calls used to push a paid plan
  • A free trial that turns into a monthly or yearly charge
  • Asking to upload your full contact list
  • Charging for features your phone or carrier already provides
  • Promising to stop all robocalls, which no tool can guarantee

Had one of these happen? Telling others what you were charged helps them avoid it.

Report it

Free and low-cost alternatives

iPhone call screening toolsiPhone's Phone settings let you screen unknown callers by asking why they are calling, or silence them so they go to voicemail. You can also block specific numbers.
Android call screening and spam filtersGoogle's Phone app offers spam filtering, and Call Screen on Pixel and some other Android phones in the U.S. Samsung phones include Smart Call.
Your phone company's toolsPhone companies block some suspicious calls and offer call-blocking or spam-labeling services or apps. Ask your carrier which tools are included at no extra charge.
National Do Not Call RegistryRegistering your number free at donotcall.gov tells legitimate telemarketers not to call. It will not stop scammers, but it can reduce sales calls.

Availability depends on your device and model. AblePro has no relationship with any company named here.

What fair pricing looks like

Basic call blocking, number blocking and unknown-caller screening are often free through your phone or carrier. A paid service may add features, but compare it with what you already have first.

Before you pay

  • Check your phone's settings for screening and silencing unknown callers.
  • Ask your phone company which blocking tools come with your plan.
  • Register your number at donotcall.gov for free.
  • Read whether the app uploads your contacts and how it uses them.
  • Check whether billing is monthly or yearly and how to cancel.

How to cancel

  1. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, tap Subscriptions, pick the app and tap Cancel Subscription.
  2. On Android, open Google Play, tap your profile icon, choose Payments & subscriptions, then Subscriptions, and cancel there.
  3. Deleting or uninstalling the app does not cancel the subscription. You must cancel in the store settings.
  4. If the blocker is billed by your phone company, cancel through your carrier account or a store visit, since it appears on your phone bill.
  5. After cancelling, turn on your phone's built-in screening so you are still protected.

Step-by-step cancel guide for iPhone, Android and PayPal →

Common questions

Does my iPhone or Android have free call blocking?

Yes, to a point. iPhone can screen or silence calls from unknown numbers and block specific numbers. Google's Phone app offers spam filtering, and Call Screen works on Pixel and some other Android phones in the U.S. Samsung phones include Smart Call. Your carrier may also offer blocking tools.

Will the Do Not Call Registry stop scam calls?

Not entirely. The National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov is free and tells legitimate telemarketers to stop calling. Scammers often ignore it. Combine registration with your phone's screening tools and your carrier's blocking. Never give personal or payment details to someone who calls you unexpectedly.

Should I let a blocker app access my contacts?

Think carefully. Some apps need your contacts to tell known callers from unknown ones, but your contact list includes other people's information. Read the app's privacy policy to see what is uploaded and shared. If built-in tools meet your needs, you may not need to share your contacts at all.

General consumer information, not legal or financial advice. Reports reflect the experiences and opinions of their writers, not AblePro, Inc. We check reports against our posting rules but do not verify them.