How to display calls on an Android cellphone

I’m guessing I’m not alone in getting extra rip-off and spam calls than ever earlier than. As a end result, Google and the opposite Android cellphone makers have progressively added a variety of built-in options to detect and take care of undesirable callers. These embody having suspicious numbers flagged earlier than you reply, having the ability to block nuisance callers, and even getting AI to reply incoming requires you. Putting these protections in place ought to go a good distance towards coping with undesirable calls.

As normal on Android, totally different fashions provide totally different options. The information under was written utilizing a Google Pixel cellphone with Android 15 and a Samsung Galaxy cellphone with One UI 6.1. Other Android-based telephones might differ barely, however it is best to discover a related set of instruments accessible.

When a name is available in that isn’t from a quantity in your contacts, the Google Phone app preinstalled on Pixel telephones can ship it to Google for checking. (If you’re not on a Pixel cellphone, you possibly can nonetheless set up the app on different Android telephones.) Google says it “gathers varied indicators concerning the name” throughout the test — which I presume means cross-referencing it in opposition to a database of numbers which were reported as spam.

On most telephones, the function can be enabled by default. To test its standing from the Phone app:

• Tap the three dots (high proper).
• Choose Settings.
• Tap Caller ID & spam.
• If See caller and spam ID is off, toggle it on.
• Turn on Filter spam calls if you wish to ship suspected spam calls straight to voicemail with out disturbing you. (According to Google, in case your cellphone has the automated Call Screen function, you gained’t see this feature. I clarify extra about Call Screen under.)

If you’re on a Samsung cellphone and would slightly follow the built-in Samsung Phone app, there’s an analogous function known as Smart Call. From the Phone app:

• Open the Keypad tab.
• Tap the three dots (high proper).
• Choose Settings.
• Select Caller ID and spam safety.
• Turn on the toggle swap on the high of the subsequent display.

That will warn you about rip-off or fraud calls as they arrive in (in partnership with Hiya). The second toggle swap, Block spam and rip-off calls, offers you the choice of robotically sending them to voicemail so that you don’t get the decision notification or the warning. You can allow this for all suspected spam and rip-off calls or solely those labeled as high-risk within the Hiya database.

Besides the caller identification options talked about above, you may also manually block numbers. That means calls from that quantity can be despatched straight to voicemail, and not using a notification in your cellphone.

• Open the Recents tab.
• Tap on a quantity.
• Select Block numbers.
• Check Report as spam if you wish to.

To discover the checklist of blocked numbers (and unblock any of them, if mandatory), faucet the three dots within the top-right nook, then Settings and Blocked numbers. The subsequent display enables you to see blocked numbers, unblock numbers, or block calls from unidentified callers.

• Open the Recents tab.
• Tap the knowledge (“i”) button subsequent to a quantity.
• Choose Block.

To discover blocked numbers within the Samsung Phone app, open the Keypad tab. Tap the three dots (high proper), then Settings > Block numbers. The subsequent display enables you to see blocked numbers, add or unblock numbers, or block calls from unidentified callers.

One of essentially the most helpful AI-related options that Google has dropped at its telephones is Call Screen, which solutions your requires you.

In the US, Call Screen can work robotically:

• In your Phone app, faucet the three dots (high proper), then Settings and Call Screen.
• Turn on the Automatically display calls toggle swap.
• You can then select between three safety ranges: Maximum (all unknown numbers are screened and spam is declined); Medium (suspicious numbers are screened and spam is declined); and Basic (solely identified spam is declined).
• Enable Save Call Screen audio in order for you recordings of screened calls to be saved (transcribed textual content is saved robotically).
• Enable Automatically delete older recordings and transcripts to have these information deleted after 30 days.

Outside of the US, you solely get the Save Call Screen audio and Automatically delete older recordings and transcripts toggle switches.

If you’ve enabled computerized display calling, the AI assistant kicks in with out you having to do something. If not, or if the decision falls exterior the automated safety stage settings, you’ll see a Screen name button when a name is available in, together with buttons to simply accept or decline the decision. 

When a name is being screened, you get proven a transcript of what’s being mentioned. Using the buttons on the backside, you possibly can finish or choose up the decision at any level or present easy sensible replies (like saying you’ll name again). You can discover transcripts of screened calls on the Recent tab of the Phone app.

Samsung Galaxy telephones have one thing related known as Bixby Text Call. Your cellphone will reply calls in your behalf and transcribe what’s being mentioned onscreen for you. From the Samsung Phone app:

• Tap the three dots (high proper).
• Choose Settings.
• Select Text name.
• Turn on the toggle swap on the high.
• Tap Language to decide on which language you converse. (You might should obtain a language pack.)
• On that web page, beneath Language, it is best to see a range known as Voice. Tap on that to pick out a voice, or choose Create customized voice. (You’ll should obtain Bixby Custom Voice Creator.)
• Tap Quick responses to see the short snippets you will get Bixby to say (like “Call you later”) and to arrange your personal.

With the function enabled, you’ll see a Text name button on incoming name notifications. Tap this, and Bixby takes over; you’ll see the decision play out as a textual content dialog onscreen. You can use the buttons on the high and backside to affix the decision, finish the decision, or ship considered one of your fast responses.

To learn transcripts from earlier calls, head to the Recents tab within the Phone app. Tap the speech bubble icon on the appropriate of any earlier name to see the textual content.