How to permanently get rid of advertising calls on Android: 7 free methods

Advertising calls have become a real disaster for smartphone owners: according to data Kaspersky, in 2023, every third Android user received spam calls daily. Fraudsters and marketers use autodialers, fake numbers, and even artificial intelligence to bypass standard filters. But there is good news: you can block 90% of unwanted calls for freewithout resorting to paid services or dubious applications.

In this article we will analyze all available methods - from hidden Android functions to little-known tools of Google and mobile operators. You'll learn how to set up a built-in blacklist, use number identification services, and which apps actually work without subscriptions. We will pay special attention to new deception schemes with substitution of numbers (spoofing)which began to spread en masse in 2026.

Why the standard “Reject” does not work

Many users are accustomed to simply clicking “Reject” on unfamiliar numbers, but this method is ineffective for three reasons:

• 🔄 Repeated calls: auto-dial algorithms regard a rejected call as an “active number” and add you to the database for more aggressive spam.
• 🎭 Number spoofing: fraudsters use technology Call Spoofingwhen the call is supposedly from a “neighbor” (a number with your area code) or even government services.
• 📊 Behavior analysis: some spam systems track how much time has passed before the call is rejected in order to determine the “live” number.

Moreover, Android 12+ a feature called “Auto-reject spam” has appeared, but it only works with numbers already marked by Google as fraudulent. To protect yourself from new spammers, you need to combine several methods.

Method 1: Built-in Android blacklist (works without the Internet)

All smartphones on Android 6.0+ have a hidden number blocking function, but access to it depends depending on the shell version. Here are the universal instructions:

1. Open the application Phone (not “Contacts!”).
2. Go to Call log and find the spam number.
3. Click on the number → ⋮ (three dots) → Block/Report spam.
4. In some firmware (for example, MIUI or One UI) another way: Settings → Blocking numbers.

⚠️ Attention: B Android 13 Google has limited the number of numbers in the blacklist to 500. If the limit is reached, the system automatically deletes old entries.

Make sure that the number is added to Settings → Blocking

Reboot the phone (sometimes changes are applied after reboot)

Check that access to contacts is enabled--> Settings → Applications → Phone → Permissions access to contacts is enabled -->

Firmware	Path to the blacklist	Number restriction
Stock Android	Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Blocking numbers	500
MIUI (Xiaomi/Redmi)	Security → Blocking → Blacklist	1000
One UI (Samsung)	Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Blocking numbers	500
ColorOS (Oppo/Realme)	Phone → Blocking and identification	300

Method 2: Google “Phone” with anti-spam protection

Official application Google Phone (installed separately on non-Pixel devices) has a built-in AI-based spam filter. It automatically flags suspicious numbers and offers to block them:

• 📱 Installation: Download Google Phone from Play Market (if not installed by default).
• ⚙️ Settings: Open the application → ⋮ → Settings → Spam and calls → Spam filter.
• 🔍 How it works: Google analyzes millions of calls in real time. If a number is marked as spam by at least 50 users, it is blocked automatically.

💡 Hidden function: In Google Phone there are “Contacts only” and “Filter probable spam” modes. The first completely blocks all unfamiliar numbers, the second - only suspicious ones. To enable:

Settings → Spam and calls → Filter likely spam → Enable

Method 3: Number identification services (Truecaller and analogues)

Applications like Truecaller, GetContact or Hiya use databases with millions of numbers tagged by users. They show the caller's name before answering and block spam automatically. However, they have disadvantages:

• 🔓 Privacy: Truecaller requires access to your contacts and call log (data is stored on the company's servers).
• 💰 Advertising: Free versions show banners and offer a premium subscription.
• ⚠️ False positives: Sometimes legitimate numbers (for example, from banks) are marked as spam.

🔹 How to set up Truecaller as securely as possible:

1. During installation opt-out from contact synchronization.
2. In settings, disable Send error reports i Improve identification.
3. Use the function Blocking by keywords (for example, block all numbers with the words “credit”, “win”, “bank”).

How to delete your data from Truecaller

If you Once you registered with Truecaller and want to delete your information, go to the site truecaller.com/unlisting and follow the instructions. The process takes up to 24 hours.

Method 4: Blocking at the operator level (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2)

Russian mobile operators provide free spam call filtering services. Unlike applications, they block calls before they even reach your phone, saving battery power.

Operator	Service	How to connect	Restrictions
MTS	"Spam protection"	USSD: *111*789# or in your personal account	Does not block numbers with your region code
Beeline	"Antispam"	USSD: *110*789#	Works only for subscribers of the “Everything” and “Unlimited” tariffs
Megafon	"Spam filter"	Personal account or *105*789#	Blocks only mass mailings
Tele2	“Protection from fraudsters”	USSD: *225*1#	Does not work for international numbers

⚠️ Attention: Operators can change the terms of service. For example, in 2026 Megafon it began to block some bank numbers by mistake. Before connecting, check the current conditions in your personal account.

Method 5: Automatic rules with Tasker (for advanced)

If you are willing to spend 10 minutes setting up, Tasker allows you to create custom blocking rules. For example, you can:

• 📵 Block all calls from numbers starting with +7900 (typical spam numbers).
• 🕒 Mute calls for calls at night (from 23:00 to 8:00).
• 🔕 Automatically drop calls shorter than 1 second (robots often drop the connection immediately).

🔧 Step-by-step guide:

1. Install Tasker from Play Market.
2. Create a new profile: Event → Telephony → Receiving a call.
3. Add a condition: If %CNAME ~ Unknown (to block hidden numbers).
4. In the task, specify the action: Telephony → Reset call.

📌 Example code for Tasker (blocking numbers from +7900):

Profile: Block Spam Calls (Event: Phone Ringing)
Enter Task:
1. If %CNUM ~ +7900*
A1: End Call
End If

Method 6: Alternative callers with anti-spam protection

If the standard dialer does not cope, try alternative applications with advanced functions:

• 🛡️ Should I Answer? - blocks numbers based on the crowdsourcing database (more than 1 billion user marks).
• 🔍 CallApp - shows the social profiles of callers and has a built-in blocker.
• 📊 Drupe - minimalistic dialer with the function “Blacklist by mask” (for example, block all numbers of the type +7495*).

🔹 How to choose: If privacy is important to you, avoid applications that require access to SMS or geolocation. For maximum protection, combine Should I Answer? (for identification) and the built-in Android blacklist (for blocking).

Method 7: Radical method - number change or two-factor authentication

If spam calls have become unbearable, consider extreme measures:

• 🔄 Change. numbers: Operators offer a free number change once every 6 months. The new number will not be in spammers’ databases for 2-3 months.
• 🔒 Virtual number: Services like Google Voice or Dingtone allow you to create a second number for registrations and public contacts.
• 🛡️ 2FA via SMS: Set up two-factor authentication for banks and social networks - this will reduce the risk of your number leaking to spammers' databases.

⚠️ Attention: When changing your number, update it in:

• Banking applications (otherwise access is blocked).
• Government services and tax (so as not to miss important notifications).
• Messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram are linked to the number).

What to do if spam calls continue

If after applying all the methods the calls do not stop:

1. 📞 Complain to the operator: Dial *550# (for MTS/Beeline/Megafon) or *110# (Tele2) and follow the instructions.
2. 🕵️ Check for data leaks: Website Have I Been Pwned will show whether your number was included in known leaks.
3. 📲 Reset settings. networks: Sometimes spam calls are associated with vulnerabilities in the protocol VoLTEReset: Settings → System → Reset → Reset mobile network.

💬 Last tip: If you receive calls from numbers that imitate banks or government agencies, never confirm personal information by phone, real services will never ask for a PIN code or password from the Internet bank.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about blocking spam calls

Is it possible to block all hidden numbers?

Yes, but this is fraught skipping important calls (for example, from delivery services). Google Phone there is an option “Block hidden numbers” (Settings → Spam and calls → Advanced). In other callers, use Tasker or blocking rules by prefix (for example, block numbers without an identifier).

Why do blocked numbers still call?

This happens due to:

• Number spoofing (spoofing): spammers use new numbers every time they call.
• Operator errors: some virtual PBXs bypass blocking at the network level.
• Reset settings: after updating Android, the black list can be cleared.

Solution: combine blocking at the phone and operator level.

How to block SMS spam?

For SMS use:

• Built-in filter in Google Messages (Settings → Spam protection).
• Application SMS Filter (blocks messages by keywords).
• Operator service: MTS has “SMS Spam Protection” (*111*789*2#).

Is it legal to block spam calls?

Yes, in Russia, since 2021, the law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights” has been in force, prohibiting calls without the subscriber’s consent. You have the right:

• Request that your number be excluded from marketers’ databases.
• Complain to Roskomnadzor about unwanted calls.
• Block numbers without warning.

Exception: calls from banks on existing loans or government agencies (for example, court summonses).

Do paid anti-spam applications help?

Paid versions (for example, Truecaller Premium or Hiya Pro) offer:

• Extended number databases (updated more often).
• Blocking by geolocation (for example, all calls from Nigeria).
• Priority support.

However, for 90% of users, free functions are enough. Paid subscriptions are justified only for business users who receive hundreds of calls per day.