Spam in SMS, annoying advertising calls and notifications from dubious services is a problem that every second owner of a smartphone on Androidfaces. According to data Kaspersky for 2026, users receive on average 12 spam messages per week, and fraudulent calls have become 38% more frequent than two years ago. But how to protect yourself from this stream of garbage without missing out on important notifications?

The choice of antispam for Android depends on your tasks: some need to block only SMS, others need to filter calls from debt collectors, and for others, integration with instant messengers is important. In this article, we analyzed 7 best anti-spam applications (including built-in solutions from Google and Samsung), compared them according to 10 criteria and prepared step-by-step setup instructions. You will also find out which applications not worth installing they are either ineffective or collect your data themselves.

Why built-in Android tools do not save you from spam

Modern versions Android (starting from Android 10) have basic tools for filtering spam: in the application Phone you can manually add numbers to the black list, and in Messages you can mark SMS as spam. However, these functions work reactive: they block only those numbers that you have already marked as unwanted.

Main problems of built-in tools:

  • 🔍 No proactive protection: new spam numbers go through without filtering.
  • 📊 No global database spammers: unlike specialized anti-spam applications, Google does not aggregate data on fraudulent numbers in real time.
  • 🛠️ Minimum settings: you cannot create rules for blocking by keywords (for example, "you won", "urgent payment").
  • 📱 Does not work with messengers: built-in tools do not filter spam in WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram.

Moreover, smartphone manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) often add their own shells on top of the standard one, which may conflict with the work of antispam. For example, the firmware Android, which may conflict with the operation of antispam. For example, in the firmware MIUI has its own security module, which sometimes duplicates actions of third-party applications, causing failures.

⚠️ Attention: If you use a smartphone with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), some Anti-spam applications may not correctly detect incoming calls. Before installation, check compatibility on the developer's website.

TOP 7 antispam applications for Android: comparison table

We tested 15 popular antispam solutions and selected the 7 best according to the criteria: blocking efficiency, ease of setup, impact on performance and privacy protection. Below is a comparative table with key parameters.

Application Blocking type Global spam database Messenger filtering Paid version Rating (Google Play)
Truecaller SMS, calls, Flash messages ✅ (250 million numbers) ❌ ✅ (from 99 ₽/month) 4.5 ⭐
Hiya Calls, SMS ✅ (14 million numbers) ❌ ✅ (from 149 ₽/month) 4.3 ⭐
SMS Shield SMS, MMS ✅ (updated daily) ✅ (WhatsApp, Viber) ❌ 4.7 ⭐
CallApp Calls, SMS, call recording ✅ (200 million numbers) ❌ ✅ (from 199 ₽/month) 4.4 ⭐
Messages by Google SMS, RCS ✅ (integration with Google) ❌ ❌ 4.2 ⭐
Samsung Messages SMS, MMS ✅ (only for Samsung devices) ❌ ❌ 4.1 ⭐
Should I Answer? Calls ✅ (crowdsourcing) ❌ ❌ 4.6 ⭐

The table shows that only SMS Shield supports messenger filtering, and Truecaller and CallApp offer the largest databases of spam numbers. However, each solution has nuances:

  • 📞 Truecaller and Hiya require mandatory registration, which may alert privacy-conscious users.
  • 💬 SMS Shield does not block calls, but is free and has no advertising.
  • 🔒 Should I Answer? is the only application with a completely open database (any user can add numbers).
📊 Which antispam application are you using now?
I don’t use
Truecaller
Hiya
Built-in Android tools
Other

The best antispam for blocking SMS: SMS Shield vs Messages by Google

If your main problem is spam in messages, the choice is between SMS Shield and the standard application Messages by Google. Let's look at their features.

SMS Shield - a specialized solution with flexible settings:

  • 🔧 Customizable filters: you can block messages by keywords (for example, "credit", "winning"), numbers or even regular expressions.
  • 📱 Support messengers: filters spam in WhatsApp i Viber (a unique feature among competitors).
  • 🛡️ Local database: all data is stored on the device, there is no mandatory registration.

How configure SMS Shield:

  1. Install the application from Google Play.
  2. Go to Settings → Filters and add keywords to block.
  3. Enable the option Messenger filtering in the section Advanced.
  4. Assign an application default to SMS in Android settings (Settings → Applications → Default applications).

Messages by Google —standard solution with integration into the Google ecosystem:

  • 🌐 Global filtering: uses Google algorithms to detect spam (~85% efficiency).
  • 🔄 Synchronization: messages are available on all devices with your Google account.
  • 🚫 Limitations: does not work with instant messengers and does not allow you to create your own rules.

To enable protection in Messages by Google:

  1. Open the application and go in Settings → Spam and protection.
  2. Activate the option Enable anti-spam protection.
  3. In the section Additional configure notifications about blocked messages.
⚠️ Attention: When using Messages by Google all your SMS are uploaded to Google servers for analysis. If this is critical to your privacy, choose SMS Shield or another local solution.
💡

For maximum protection against SMS spam, combine SMS Shield (for flexible rules) and Messages by Google (for global filtering).

How to block spam calls: review Truecaller, Hiya and Should I Answer?

Spam calls are one of the most annoying problems. Fraudsters use number spoofing (spoofing), which makes blocking by number ineffective. Let's look at the three best solutions to combat them.

Truecaller - market leader with a base of 250 million numbers:

  • 🔍 Real-time spam detection: shows the name of the caller before answering.
  • 📊 Statistics on numbers: you can see how many users have marked the number as spam.
  • 🔕 Blocking by category: for example, you can block all calls from “telemarketing” or “scammers”.

Cons Truecaller:

  • 📱 Required registration with a phone number attached.
  • 💰 Advertising in the free version (removed in Truecaller Premium).
  • 🔒 Data collection: the application requests access to contacts and call history.

Hiya -an alternative from the creators Whitepages:

  • 🛡️ Number spoofing protection: recognizes spoofing better than competitors.
  • 📈 Weekly reports: shows how many calls were blocked.
  • 🔧 Flexible settings: you can create white lists for important numbers.

Should I Answer? —a solution with an open database:

  • 👥 Crowdsourcing: users add and evaluate numbers themselves.
  • 🆓 Completely free, without unnecessary hassle and fees functions.
  • 📱 Minimalistic interface: no unnecessary functions, only call blocking.

Which one to choose?

  • 🏆 For maximum protection: Truecaller Premium (if data collection does not bother you).
  • 🔒 For privacy: Should I Answer? (no registration, data does not leak).
  • 🛡️ To combat spoofing: Hiya.

Give the application call administrator rights Settings → Applications → Special access → Call management

Activate the "Block unknown numbers" option

Add important numbers to the white list

Check the notification settings for blocked calls calls-->

Antispam for instant messengers: is it possible to filter WhatsApp and Telegram

Standard antispam applications do not work with instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), since they have closed data transfer protocols. However, there are workarounds:

1. Built-in messenger tools:

  • 💬 WhatsApp: you can block a contact or report spam (but there is no automatic filtering).
  • 📱 Telegram: there is an option Filter messages in the notification settings, but it only hides notifications, not the messages themselves.
  • 🔕 Viber: allows you to block users and hide chats, but does not automatically filter spam.

2. Specialized solutions:

  • 🛡️ SMS Shield: the only application that can filter spam in WhatsApp and Viber (through notification analysis).
  • 🤖 Automation via Tasker: you can create a rule that will close notifications from unknown contacts (requires root or ADB command).

3. Bot for Telegram:

There is a bot Telegram there is a bot @SpamBotthat helps block spammers. To use it:

  1. Open a chat with the bot @SpamBot.
  2. Forward it a message from the spammer.
  3. Follow the bot's instructions to block the user.
⚠️ Attention: Filtering messengers through third-party applications (for example, SMS Shield) requires access to notifications. This can be unsafe if the application is from an untrustworthy developer. Before installation, check the reviews and privacy policy.
How does messenger filtering work in SMS Shield?

The application analyzes the text of notifications from WhatsApp/Viber and blocks those that contain spam markers (for example, “free credit”, “you won”). However, this is not an ideal solution, because:

1. Does not block messages inside the chat - only notifications.

2. May skip spam if the notification text does not contain keywords.

3. Requires constant access to notifications, which increases the risk of data leakage.

How antispam affects the performance and battery of a smartphone

Any background application consumes device resources, and antispam is no exception. However, the degree of impact depends on the specific decision:

Application RAM consumption (in background) Impact on battery Does it slow down the system?
Truecaller ~80–120 MB Medium (up to 5% charge per day) No
Hiya ~60–90 MB Low (up to 3% charge per day) day) No
SMS Shield ~40–70 MB Minimum (up to 2% charge per day) No
Should I Answer? ~30–50 MB Minimum (up to 1% charge per day) No
Messages by Google ~50–80 MB Low (up to 2% charge per day) No

To minimize the impact of antispam on performance:

  • 🔋 Disable unnecessary functions: for example, in Truecaller you can turn off call recording or contact synchronization.
  • 🔄 Limit background activity: in Android settings, go to Settings → Applications → [antispam name] → Battery → Optimization and select Limit.
  • 📱 Use "Light" modes: some applications (for example, Hiya) offer lightweight versions for weak devices.

If your smartphone is older than 2020 or has less than 4 GB of RAM, avoid "heavy" antispam solutions like Truecaller or CallApp. Instead, choose Should I Answer? or SMS Shield —they consume less resources.

💡

If antispam greatly drains your battery, try disabling automatic updating of the spam number database. In most applications, this option can be found in the synchronization settings.

What antispam applications should not be installed

Not all antispam solutions are equally useful. Some of them not only do not protect against spam, but also become a source of problems themselves. Here are blacklist applications that you should avoid:

1. Suspicious applications with high resolutions:

  • 🚫 Call Blocker — Stop Spam Calls (developer Safe Apps Inc): requests access to SMS, contacts and location, but has low blocking efficiency.
  • 🚫 Spam Call Blocker 2026: contains hidden advertising and redirects to phishing sites.

2. Applications with closed algorithms:

  • 🔍 Call Blocker Free: do not disclose the sources of their database of spam numbers, which raises questions about its relevance.
  • 📊 Spam Protection Pro: promises 100% blocking, but in practice lets through up to 40% of spam (according to tests AV-Comparatives).

3. Solutions with aggressive monetization:

  • 💰 Super Call Blocker: free version shows ads every 5 minutes and blocks only 3 numbers per day.
  • 📱 Anti Spam — Call Blocker: requires payment to unlock basic functions (for example, adding numbers to a blacklist).

How to recognize an unreliable antispam application:

  • 🔍 Low rating on Google Play (less than 4.0) or few reviews (less than 10,000).
  • 📋 Request for extra permissions: for example, access to the camera or microphone to block calls.
  • 💰 Hidden payments: the free version is reduced to unsuitability.
⚠️ Attention: Some antispam applications (for example, Call Blocker Pro) may conflict with Android system services, causing telephony malfunctions. If after installing the antispam you have lost incoming calls, immediately uninstall it and check the default settings.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about choosing an antispam for Android

🔹 Is it possible to use two antispam applications at the same time?

Technically yes, but not recommendedtwo antispams can conflict between them. yourself, blocking important calls or duplicating notifications. If you need to combine solutions (for example, one for SMS, another for calls), choose applications from one developer or with proven compatibility (for example, Truecaller + Messages by Google).

🔹 Why doesn't antispam block some numbers?

There are several reasons:

  1. The number is not included in the global spam database (relevant for new fraudulent schemes).
  2. The spammer uses substitution of the number (spoofing)and antispam does not recognize it as a threat.
  3. The automatic blocking option is disabled in the application settings.
  4. The number was added to white list (check exceptions in the antispam settings).

Solution: manually add the number blacklist or report it to the antispam database.

🔹 Is it safe to give antispam access to contacts and SMS?

It depends on the application. Reliable antispams (for example, Truecaller or Hiya) encrypt the data and do not. transfer them to third parties. However, there are risks:

  • 🔓 If anti-spam databases are hacked, your contacts may become publicly available.
  • 📱 Some applications sell anonymized data to advertisers (this should be specified in the privacy policy).

To minimize risks:

  • Use antispams with local database (for example, Should I Answer?).
  • Disable contact synchronization in the application settings.
  • Regularly check what permissions the antispam requests (Settings → Applications → [name] → Permissions).
🔹 How does antispam work with two SIM cards?

Most antispam applications support dual-SIM, but there are nuances:

  • 📱 Truecaller and Hiya automatically protect both SIM cards, but may require you to select the main one for displaying notifications.
  • 🔧 SMS Shield requires manual configuration for each SIM card (in the section Settings → SIM manager).
  • ⚠️ Built-in Android tools (for example, Messages by Google) may incorrectly filter SMS to the second SIM.

If antispam does not see the second SIM card, check:

  1. Application permissions (must have access to telephony and SMS for both SIMs).
  2. Default settings (in Settings → Applications → Default applications select antispam for both SIMs).
🔹 Is it possible to block spam without installing additional applications?

Yes, but the efficiency will be lower Here's what you can do:

  • 📱 Built-in blocking in Android:
    • For calls: open Phone → Journal → [tap on the number] → Block.
    • For SMS: in the application Messages hold the spam message and select Spam → Block.
  • 🔧 Operator settings: some mobile operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) offer free spam blocking services. Check with your provider for details.
  • 🌐 DND mode: enable Do Not Disturb mode for unknown numbers (Settings → Sound → Do not disturb → Allow calls → Contacts only).

Disadvantages of this approach:

  • ❌ You need to manually block each spam number.
  • ❌ There is no proactive protection against new spammers.
  • ❌ Do not work with instant messengers.