We Finally Have Free Anti-Robocall Tools That Work

[Celerity]

A new feature for iPhones screens calls, similar to a technology available for Android users. Here’s how to activate it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/02/technology/personaltech/iphone-robocalls-screener-android.html

https://archive.ph/905MT



When I received a phone call from an unknown number this week, I didn’t have to pick up the phone to find out it was a robocaller impersonating a utility company with an offer to reduce my bill. A robot spoke on my behalf and told me what the caller had said.

I was testing a call-screening tool for iPhones that is included with Apple’s iOS 26 software system, which arrived last month. Since activating the feature a few weeks ago, I’ve hardly noticed when calls from unfamiliar digits come in. The new tool does its job without ringing my handset.

Call screening should come in handy for lots of smartphone users. Like millions of people across the country, I’ve been bombarded with an uncountable number of spam calls for the last decade. Past tools I’ve tested, such as apps that filtered out calls from numbers identified as scammers, were ineffective.

Some owners of Android phones are in luck, too. Many users of Google’s Pixel phones have had access to a similar call screener for a few years, and this week, Google said it had expanded the tool’s availability to more countries, including Australia, Canada and Ireland. (Unfortunately, most other Android phones still lack this technology.)

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[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. If the robot answers the call, the scammer notes it as a call received and doubles down and sells the number too

Because, after all, you heard the message as if you had picked it up.

I think taking a call from an unknown number, even by robot, is worse than useless; it is a negative.

If the call is important they can leave a message.

[leftstreet]

2. I hadn't thought of that

[mitch96]

4. "If the call is important they can leave a message." BINGO! that's what I do. It's even in my greeting..

"Hi, you have reached XYZ 123 4567 please leave a message"...

[Jerry2144]

3. Last millennium on my answering machine

I had the outgoing message recorded that consistent with those three whistles that the system played for a number no longer in service, then immediately my recorded messages. Old auto dialers would hear the whistles then mark my number as out of service. Unwanted callers would hear the whistles and hang up. It worked well for dealing with junk calls.

[mitch96]

5. Does that still work? I used it too on my ans.machine..

[Jerry2144]

7. No idea

It is worth trying

[usonian]

6. My phone is usually on the charger or in the seat cushion.

Father time screens my calls.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. I have a spam app on my found

that sends some 99% of spam calls to a spam folder I never bother to look at.

I gather that Apple phones enthusiastically accept spam calls. My android doesn't.