On a daily basis, we are bombarded with commercial calls, spam and even phone scam attempts. It has become a problem that almost every mobile phone user in Spain has to deal with. Although laws have been passed to limit these practices, the truth is that, with a few exceptions, we continue to receive annoying calls from unknown numbers or from companies trying to sell us their advertising.
The good news is that you no longer need external, heavy applications or intrusive ads to free yourself from these nuisances. The Google Phone app, included on many Android phones and available for download, offers built-in call filtering and blocking tools for unwanted calls.From automatic features that block spam to having the Google Assistant answer for you or organizing your history to see only what's important, this guide reviews all the options, benefits, and differences depending on your phone brand, adding key tips to improve your peace of mind without missing important calls.
Why is it so important to filter spam calls today?
The rise of commercial calls, hidden numbers, bots and fraud has made filtering an essential measure.. We're no longer just talking about inconveniences: these communications can put our privacy or even our financial security at risk. Third-party apps have been popular, but they present drawbacks such as battery consumption, advertising, and the transfer of data to external companies. Therefore, native solutions offered by manufacturers and Google have become the best alternative, both for reliability as for privacy protection and ease of use.
On which phones can you use the Google Phone app's spam filter?
The Google Phone app comes factory installed on Pixel phones (made by Google), many Xiaomi and Motorola phones, and some recent models from other manufacturers. But if your phone doesn't come with it pre-installed, You can easily download it from the Google Play Store and set it as your default calling app.
For users of Samsung GalaxyThe manufacturer's own software includes a similar, perfectly valid option based on the Hiya database to identify spam, but it's also possible to install the Google app and enjoy its features. Other manufacturers may offer similar options, although in some cases they are not as comprehensive or as up-to-date. In summary:
- Google Pixel, Xiaomi, Motorola (and some more): Google Phone pre-installed.
- Samsung Galaxy: Native option in the calling app, plus optional Google Phone.
- Other brands: Download Google Phone from Google Play.
How do I activate the spam call filter in the Google Phone app?
Setting up the app to automatically filter spam is very simple and takes just a couple of minutes. We explain the process step by step, with recommendations to take advantage of all the available settings.:
- Open the Google Phone app on your Android device.
- Tap the three dots icon (top right) to display the menu and enter Configuration.
- Access the section Caller ID and spam.
- Here you will find several options:
- View caller ID and spam: Shows you if a call is likely spam before you answer, identifying suspicious companies and numbers right on your screen.
- Filter spam calls: The app automatically declines calls classified as spam, without them ringing or leaving a notification (but you can review them in the history).
- verified calls: Companies can identify themselves and provide a reason before responding, making it easier to decide whether or not to respond.
It is recommended to activate all options to maximize the benefits and your peace of mind.This way, the app itself will filter and alert you only to the truly important calls, and will inform you if any number is suspicious before the call arrives.
Manual blocking of numbers and calls from unknown callers
In addition to automatic filtering, you can strengthen protection manually blocking any number from settings:
- Go back into the Google Phone app settings.
- Choose Blocked numbers.
- Add the phone numbers you want to block, whether they are sales numbers, spam, or other numbers that bother you.
- You can activate the option Desconocidos to block absolutely all calls from numbers not registered in your address book. Keep in mind, however, that you could miss important, unexpected calls.
This feature is useful if you experience harassment, repeated calls, or if a specific number bothers you regularly.
How to mark calls as spam and help improve the filter
Not all spam attempts are always detected immediately. If a suspicious call gets through and you identify it as unwanted, you can mark the number as spam from the call history:
- Open the app and tap on Courses.
- Click on the unwanted call.
- Choose Mark as spam in the menu that appears.
By doing so, you not only protect yourself: help update the Google database so that future calls from that number are blocked or automatically notified to other users.
Smart call filter and other exclusive features
The devices pixel (and selected others) have advanced filtering features through the Google AssistantHere, the system allows you to automatically answer calls from unknown or spam numbers, asking for the reason and name of the caller. You can see the transcript of the conversation in real time on the screen. and decide whether to answer or hang up, without exposing yourself directly.
This function does not use your data or Wi-Fi connection, as it operates locally on the phone and, in addition to blocking spam, helps significantly reduce the number of nuisance calls over time. Sales bots, when they detect that a machine is answering, tend to quickly give up, making your number less attractive for future campaigns.
Some advanced options included in the Google Phone app include:
- Automatic call screening, with different levels of protection: from filtering only the most obvious spam to blocking any unknown numbers or first-time callers.
- Leaked call transcript and recording: You can review what the other person said later or delete the information if you prefer.
- Suggested answers (even with AI) so that interaction with the spammer is completely automatic and personalized.
- Improved history organization thanks to categories like spam, missed calls, contacts, and not spam, making it easier to identify relevant calls.
- Support for features like Hold for Me and Direct My Call, which make it easier to manage long waits and interactions with automated services in businesses and administrations.
What if you have a Samsung Galaxy?
The Samsung Galaxy They integrate their own call filtering system into the native phone app, without the need to install anything extra. This system uses Hiya's database and has very similar steps to activate:
- Open the Samsung phone app.
- Tap the three dots icon and access Settings.
- Sign in Caller ID and antispam.
- Activate the filter with the top switch.
- You can choose whether to block only high-risk calls or all calls classified as spam.
The advantage of the Samsung system lies in the constant updating of the database of suspicious numbers and privacy: your personal data does not leave your phone or share it with third parties.
What should you do if your phone doesn't have a filter and you're still receiving a lot of spam?
If, despite the integrated system or using the Google Phone app, you are still experiencing a high volume of spam, there are other specialized applications such as TruecallerThey have an even larger database and experience identifying international spam campaigns, although using them involves sharing some data and may result in increased battery consumption or ads. We recommend prioritizing Google or Samsung solutions over third-party apps to maintain your privacy. privacy and stability.
Where do these functions apply and what limitations should be taken into account?
Built-in filtering features are available primarily in Spain and the rest of Western Europe, for both manual and automatic filtering depending on the country and phone model. For international SIM cards, roaming, or imported phones, some features may not appear or may require additional updates. For more details, please also see our how-to guide.
Also remember that blocking calls from unknown numbers can cause you to miss important communications, such as medical calls, service calls, or text messages. Before activating these more severe restrictions, Consider whether you might be expecting any necessary calls..
Finally, if you find phone spam particularly problematic, Spanish law allows you to file a complaint with the Data Protection Agency or register on platforms such as the robinson listYou can also register on the Robinson list to limit the receipt of commercial calls.
Filtering technology in Android and major manufacturers has advanced to offer a very efficient, customizable and secure experienceEnabling these settings improves your daily life by reducing the stress of annoying calls, protecting your privacy and that of those around you, and ensuring you don't miss out on important communications. Manually reporting suspicious calls also helps strengthen this protection for everyone.