US Guide Updated June 2026

How to Block Spam Calls in the US — Complete 2026 Guide

Start with the free FTC list, turn on carrier spam filters, then add phone-level blocking. If you still miss real calls, use AI call screening so you know what was real and what was junk.

FTC List Carrier Filters iPhone Android Apps Katch

Fast Answer

To block spam calls in the US: (1) Register on the FTC Do Not Call registry at donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222 — free, takes 30 seconds. (2) Enable your carrier's spam filter (Verizon Call Filter, AT&T ActiveArmor, T-Mobile Scam Shield). (3) Use your phone's built-in spam blocking. (4) Use Katch to screen unknown calls live with AI — spam gets flagged, real callers get a brief AI conversation, you get an instant summary.

Why this matters

Method 1: FTC Do Not Call Registry (Free, 30 Seconds)

This is the first thing every US phone owner should do. It is free, fast, and it reduces legal sales calls. It will not stop every scammer, but it removes a big chunk of legitimate telemarketing noise.

How to register

  1. 1.Go to donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.
  2. 2.Enter your phone number and email address.
  3. 3.Open the email from the FTC and click the confirmation link.
  4. 4.Wait up to 31 days for the list to take effect.

What it does cover

  • Most legal telemarketing calls from businesses you have no relationship with.
  • A clear complaint path if those callers keep contacting you.

What it does not cover

  • Scammers and spoofed robocalls.
  • Political calls, charities, debt collectors, and surveys.
  • Businesses you recently bought from or contacted.

Method 2: Carrier Spam Filters

Your carrier sees huge call patterns across the network, so carrier filters are one of the best free layers. Turn these on even if you also use iPhone or Android spam blocking.

Carrier Free option Paid tier
Verizon Call Filter basic Call Filter Plus — $2.99/mo
AT&T ActiveArmor ActiveArmor Advanced — $3.99/mo
T-Mobile Scam Shield Scam Shield Premium — $4/mo/line
Cricket Spam call alerts No named premium tier listed here

Verizon: Call Filter

The free basic version is a strong first step. Open your Verizon dialer or phone settings and go to Settings → Call Filter to turn it on. Call Filter Plus ($2.99/mo) adds spam lookup and more caller detail.

AT&T: ActiveArmor

Download the AT&T ActiveArmor app, sign in, and enable the spam controls in settings. ActiveArmor Advanced ($3.99/mo) adds reverse number lookup and more scam protection tools.

T-Mobile: Scam Shield

Turn on the free version by dialing #662#. You can also use the Scam Shield app for more controls. Scam Shield Premium ($4/mo/line) adds more caller tools and lookup features.

Cricket: Spam call alerts

Log into your Cricket account and check that spam call alerts are enabled in account settings. It is a simple extra layer if you use Cricket's network.

Method 3: iPhone Built-In (iOS 13+)

Apple gives you a simple built-in option for unknown callers.

  1. 1.Open Settings.
  2. 2.Tap Phone.
  3. 3.Turn on Silence Unknown Callers.
Warning: this can also silence real callers who are not in your contacts, including doctors, delivery drivers, recruiters, school offices, and first-time clients.

Method 4: Android Built-In

Most Android phones, especially those using Google Phone, let you filter spam calls inside the phone app.

  1. 1.Open the Phone app.
  2. 2.Go to Settings.
  3. 3.Tap Caller ID & Spam.
  4. 4.Turn on Filter spam calls.

Exact menu names vary by phone brand, but most Android devices have a similar spam toggle.

Method 5: Third-Party Apps (Hiya, RoboKiller, Nomorobo)

Third-party apps can catch more spam, but they often cost money and some are heavy on blocking rather than helping you tell good unknown calls from junk.

App Best for Tradeoff
Hiya Caller ID and spam labels Useful, but many people want more context on missed calls
RoboKiller Aggressive spam blocking Can feel heavy if you still need to catch real unknown callers
Nomorobo Extra robocall filtering Good as a filter, less focused on caller context

If you are comparing options, see Hiya alternatives, RoboKiller alternatives, and our guide to the best visual voicemail app in 2026.

Method 6: AI Call Screening (Katch)

After you turn on the five methods above, one problem remains: real unknown callers still get mixed in with junk. That is where Katch helps.

Why Katch is the proactive option

Instead of only blocking, Katch screens every missed call live with AI. Spam gets flagged. Real callers get a brief AI conversation. You get an instant summary, so you know who called and why before calling back.

  • Works on all major US carriers through call forwarding.
  • Helps when you cannot answer every unknown call during work, school, or driving.
  • Better than blanket blocking if you still need to hear from new clients, patients, delivery drivers, or service providers.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it helps with legal telemarketing calls, which makes it worth doing. It does not stop scammers, spoofed robocalls, political calls, charities, debt collectors, or companies you recently dealt with, so you still need carrier and phone-level filters.
Go to Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. You can also block individual numbers from your Recents list and turn on your carrier's spam filter for another layer.
Open the Phone app, go to Settings → Caller ID & Spam, and turn on Filter spam calls. Menu names vary a little by phone brand, but the feature is common across Android devices.
All three are worth enabling. Verizon Call Filter, AT&T ActiveArmor, and T-Mobile Scam Shield each offer a good free layer. T-Mobile is easy to activate with #662#, Verizon's basic tool is strong, and AT&T gives solid default screening through ActiveArmor.
Blocking tries to stop the phone from ringing. Screening answers the call, checks whether the caller is real, and gives you context. Blocking cuts noise; screening helps you decide what matters before you call back.
Yes, it can. Unknown-number blocking may also mute first-time callers such as doctors, recruiters, delivery drivers, schools, service techs, or new clients. That is the main downside of strict blocking rules.
Katch screens every missed call live with AI instead of only blocking it. Spam gets flagged, real callers can explain why they called, and you receive a short summary right away. That gives you more context before you decide to call back.

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