Step 1: Register on the Do Not Call Register (Australia)

  1. 1

    Register at donotcall.gov.au

    Go to donotcall.gov.au and register your mobile and landline numbers. Registration is free and permanent (no expiry). Telemarketers are legally required to check the register before calling. This reduces legitimate marketing calls but does not stop scam calls from overseas operations that ignore the register.

Block Spam on iPhone

  1. 2

    Enable Silence Unknown Callers

    Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. Toggle on. Calls from numbers not in your contacts, recent calls or Siri Suggestions are automatically silenced (sent to voicemail). Legitimate unknown callers can leave a voicemail. This significantly reduces spam call interruptions.

  2. 3

    Block a specific number

    Open the recent call in the Phone app → tap the (i) info button → scroll down → Block this Caller. The blocked number goes straight to voicemail.

  3. 4

    Use a call-blocking app

    Apps like Truecaller (free) and Hiya identify and automatically block known spam numbers. They use community-reported spam databases. Install from the App Store, enable as a call directory extension (Settings → Phone → Call Blocking & Identification).

Block Spam on Android

  1. 5

    Enable Spam Protection in the Phone app

    Open the Phone app → three dots menu → Settings → Spam and Call Screen (or Caller ID & Spam). Enable Spam protection. Google automatically identifies and flags likely spam calls with a “Spam likely” label. Enable Filter spam calls to automatically reject them.

  2. 6

    Block specific numbers

    In the Phone app, open the recent call → tap and hold or tap the three dots → Block number. Blocked calls are rejected automatically.

Never call back unknown numbers that hung upA common scam: automated systems call, hang up immediately, then wait for you to call back a premium rate number. If you receive a call from an unknown number that hangs up immediately, do not call back. Look up the number online first if curious.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Do Not Call register only applies to Australian telemarketers who comply with the law. International scam operations (robocalls from overseas, phone scammers impersonating the ATO or banks) ignore the register entirely. Phone spam protection apps and Silence Unknown Callers are more effective against these. Report persistent spam callers to the ACMA (acma.gov.au) — they can take action against Australian businesses that continue calling registered numbers.
Truecaller works by uploading your contact list to their servers to build their caller ID database — which is a privacy trade-off. Your contacts’ numbers are shared with Truecaller without their explicit consent. For maximum spam blocking with less privacy concern: use iOS Silence Unknown Callers + the Do Not Call register. Truecaller is popular and widely used but worth understanding the data trade-off before installing.