Call filter on Android is a useful feature that protects against spam and scammers, but sometimes blocks important calls. If you missed a call from a bank, delivery service, or an unfamiliar number you were waiting to contact, the problem may be with automatic filtering. In this article, we will look at how to disable the call filter on all popular smartphones, including Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi/POCO, Google Pixel and devices with pure Android.

It is important to understand that filtering works at three levels: phone settings, Phone application and mobile operator services. We'll look at each of them, and also tell you how to check if your phone is blocking important numbers. If, after disabling the filters, calls still do not go through, at the end of the article there is a section with solutions to typical problems.

Let's proceed to step-by-step guide. Let's start with the most common case - disabling built-in filtering in the Phone application.

1. Disabling the call filter in the standard Phone application

Most manufacturers integrate a spam blocking function into the proprietary Phone application. The interface may differ depending on the model, but the general principle is the same. Let's look at the process using popular brands as an example.

On Samsung Galaxy (One UI) the path will be like this:

  1. Open the application Phone.
  2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner → Settings.
  3. Go to section Blocking numbers and spam.
  4. Disable the switches:
    • 🔄 Block unknown numbers
    • 📛 Block spam calls (if any) data-i="58">Run
    • 🔍 Check numbers for spam (if any)

On Xiaomi (MIUI) and POCO the algorithm is slightly different:

  1. Run Phone → ⋮ → Settings.
  2. Select Blocking and filtering.
  3. Disable:
    • 🛡️ Spam filter
    • 📵 Blocking unknown numbers
    • 🔄 Automatic number verification

The "Phone" application is open|The "Settings" or "Blocking" section is found|All filtering switches are disabled|Checked saving changes-->

On Google Pixel and other devices with pure Android:

  1. Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Spam and blocking.
  2. Disable Spam call filter i Checking numbers.
  3. Make sure that there are no unnecessary entries in the section Blocked numbers Blocked numbers
    4. ⚠️ Attention: On some firmwares (for example, ColorOS from Oppo/Realme) the spam filter can be linked to the service HeyTap. In this case, disabling it will require additional actions in the manufacturer's account.

    2. How to disable filtering at the telecom operator level

    Mobile operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2) often enable their anti-spam services by default. These services can block calls before they even reach your phone. Here's how to disable them:

    Operator Disconnection method USSD command
    MTS Send SMS with text 0 to number 3636 or call *111*3636# *111*3636#
    Beeline Send SMS with text OFF to 3630 or call *110*363# *110*363#
    MegaFon Send an SMS with the text 0 to 5049 or use your personal account *5049#
    Tele2 Send an SMS with the text STOP to 3630 or call *155*2# *155*2#

    If the USSD commands did not work, check the settings in the operator’s personal account on the website or in the mobile application. Look for sections like Services → Anti-spam or Security → Call filter.

    💡

    After disabling operator services, reboot your phone - sometimes the changes are not applied immediately.

    ⚠️ Attention: Some operators (for example, Iota or Tinkoff Mobile) do not provide USSD commands to disable the filter. In this case, you will have to call support or use the web version of your personal account.

    3. Checking third-party call blocking applications

    If you installed applications like Truecaller, GetContact, Hiya or Kaspersky Who Calls, they may have enabled filtering automatically. These apps often run in the background and block calls before they even appear on the screen.

    To disable them:

    1. Go to Settings → Applications.
    2. Find a call blocking application (for example, Truecaller).
    3. Select Permissions and disable access to:
      • 📞 Phone (incoming calls)
      • 📇 Contacts
      • 🔄 SMS (if any)
  4. Then open the application itself and in its settings disable:
    • 🛡️ Spam blocking
    • 🔍 Number verification
    • 📵 Automatic filtering

If you don’t remember whether you installed such applications, check the list of installed apps in Settings → Applications → All applications. Look for names with the words call, block, spam or protect.

How to completely remove Truecaller from phone?

To delete Truecaller without remainder, do the following:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and delete your account Truecaller (if you have one).

2. Go to Settings → Applications → Truecaller → Storage and click Clear data Settings → Applications → Truecaller → Storage Clear cache.

3. Delete the application in the standard way.

4. Reboot your phone.

After this, all application data will be erased, including the lock history.

4. Configure Android settings to skip important calls

Android has hidden settings that can affect how incoming calls are handled. For example, mode Do Not Disturb (DND) or battery optimization sometimes block call notifications. Let's take a look at how to set them up.

Disable Do Not Disturb mode:

  1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Do not disturb.
  2. Make sure the mode is turned off or set to allow calls:
    • 📞 Allow calls → From everyone or From contacts
    • ⏰ Scheduled → disabled

Excluding the Phone application from battery optimization:

  1. Open Settings → Battery → Battery optimization.
  2. Find in the list Phone (or com.android.server.telecom).
  3. Select Do not optimize.

Yes, several times|Yes, but only once|No, never|I don’t know perhaps-->

On some devices (for example, Huawei or Honorthere is a separate “Smart Blocking” function that hides notifications of missed calls from “suspicious” numbers. To disable it, go to Settings → Security → Blocking numbers and deactivate everything. switches.

5. Checking blocking at the SIM card level

It is rare, but it happens that call filtering is configured directly on the SIM card. This is true for corporate tariffs or old SIMs, where the operator sewed in blocking at the chip level. You can check this like this:

  1. Insert the SIM card into another phone (preferably a different model).
  2. Ask someone to call you from different numbers (familiar and unknown).
  3. If calls do not go through, the problem is in the SIM card.

    4. Solutions:

    • 🔄 Update the SIM card profile (in the operator’s personal account or through a USSD command, for example, *123# for MegaFon).
    • 📱 Replace the SIM card to a new one in the operator's salon.
    • 📞 Call support and check whether the filtering service is activated on your number.
    ⚠️ Attention: If you use eSIM, check the filtering settings in the operator’s profile (for example, from Tinkoff Mobile) have built-in anti-spam protection, which can only be disabled through the bank application.

    6. Diagnosis of problems if calls still do not go through.

    If, after disabling all filters, calls still do not arrive, the problem may be different. Go through this checklist:

    Checked the settings of the "Phone" application|Disabled operator services|Removed third-party call blockers|Removed Do Not Disturb mode|SIM card works in another phone|Updated phone software-->

    Common causes and solutions:

    • 🔋 Weak network signal → Switch to 2G/3G in the mobile network settings or change location.
    • 📵 Operator blocking → Call support to check the status numbers.
    • 🔄 Application conflict → Start the phone in Safe Mode (hold the power off button → Safe Mode) and check the calls.
    • 📱 Software failure → Update the phone software or reset the network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset mobile network).

If none of the methods helped, try temporarily installing an alternative application for calls (for example Google Phone or Simple Dialer) and check whether calls are passing through it. This will help localize the problem.

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If calls do not reach only certain numbers (for example, banks or delivery services), the problem is most likely due to blocking by the operator or SIM card settings. Third-party applications usually block spam evenly, without being tied to specific ones. organizations.

7. How to set up a “white list” for important numbers

Instead of completely disabling the filter, you can add important numbers to exceptions. This will allow you to block spam, but let calls from banks, courier services or colleagues pass through:

On Samsung Galaxy:

  1. Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Blocking numbers and spam.
  2. Select Allowed numbers or Exceptions.
  3. Add numbers manually or select from contacts.

On Xiaomi/POCO:

  1. Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Blocking and filtering → Allowed numbers.
  2. Click Add and specify the required contacts.

To Google Phone:

  1. Phone → ⋮ → Settings → Blocked numbers.
  2. Select Add exceptions and specify the numbers.

Some operators also allow you to create white lists. For example, MTS this is done through your personal account. section Services → Anti-spam protection → Exceptions.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about call filtering

Is it possible to disable call filtering only for certain contacts?

Yes, most smartphones and operators support white lists. Add the required numbers to exceptions (see section 7), and they will be missed even with filtering enabled.

Why are calls still blocked after disabling the filter?

Possible reasons:

  • Filtering on level operator (check USSD commands or personal account).
  • Third-party application (for example, antivirus or ad blocker).
  • Do Not Disturb mode with incorrect settings.
  • Problems with the SIM card (try replacing it).

Go through the checklist from section 6.

How do I know if my phone is blocking calls?

There are several ways:

  1. Ask a friend to call you from an unknown number (not from your contacts).
  2. Check the call log for missed calls marked Spam or Blocked.
  3. Install a call monitoring application (for example, Call Log Monitor).

On Samsung and Xiaomi Blocked calls are displayed in a separate log tab.

Will the call filter consume battery or traffic?

Built-in filters (from Google or the phone manufacturer) have virtually no effect on the battery and traffic, since they work at the system level. But third-party applications like Truecaller can spend up to 5-10% charge per day due to background checking of numbers. If you do not need an advanced filter, it is better to disable such apps.

Is it possible to return the call filter after disabling?

Yes, all settings are reversible. To enable filtering again:

  • In the application Phone Activate the switches Spam blocking.
  • Send a USSD command to the operator to activate the service (for example, *111*3636*1# for MTS).
  • Reinstall a third-party application (for example, Truecallerand configure it again.