Learn practical methods to block and screen unwanted incoming cell phone calls, from utilizing built-in phone settings to contacting your service provider.
Whether you are dreading incoming calls from annoying telemarketers, frustrating officemates, clingy girlfriends, possessive boyfriends, stalkers, and other phone annoyances—or you are simply ignoring a ringing phone—there are some calls you just do not want to pick up.
You could always get a new number or a new phone, but constantly changing your number when unwanted callers find it can get expensive in the long run. A much more practical suggestion is to block incoming cell phone calls.
Call screening is a service provided by most mobile phones. It offers a fair amount of security and helps you regulate incoming calls so that you do not receive them at inappropriate moments, such as in the middle of a major meeting or while driving.
- Screen those calls. Take your mobile phone and go to the main menu. Go to Settings > Security; the provided menu should give you options for call restrictions or call barring. Both options amount to the same thing: call screening.
- Disable calls. Scroll down and locate the option to screen incoming calls.
- Read your user's manual. Those are the basic steps that should be present on most phone menus. Always refer to your phone's user manual for more specific instructions tailored to its make and model. The higher-end your phone is, the more involved the call screening options can be. If you wish to block a specific number, you can do so by referring to your user manual, or you can contact your service provider to learn about other options for preventing that number from calling you.
- Online help. You can search online for users who have experienced the same problems and found workarounds for screening calls. Many online phone message boards feature topics dealing with these workarounds and solutions. Posters on these sites often experiment with their phones to find ways and backdoors to get the desired service. Of course, you must be wary of online advice, as some suggestions may void your phone's warranty. As a rule of thumb, avoid advice that instructs you to tinker with the phone's hardware or install software not provided by the manufacturer.
- Unlist your number. You may also want to invest in an unlisted number. Some service providers offer this option to their subscribers, though it is usually a premium service that adds a little extra to your monthly bill. You will need to weigh whether your privacy is worth the modest monthly fee.
Blocking calls is easy if you follow the suggestions above. Call screening is actually a common feature on most phones and through most mobile service providers.
How to Block Incoming Cell Phone Calls
Learn practical methods to block and screen unwanted incoming cell phone calls, from utilizing built-in phone settings to contacting your service provider.
Whether you are dreading incoming calls from annoying telemarketers, frustrating officemates, clingy girlfriends, possessive boyfriends, stalkers, and other phone annoyances—or you are simply ignoring a ringing phone—there are some calls you just do not want to pick up.
You could always get a new number or a new phone, but constantly changing your number when unwanted callers find it can get expensive in the long run. A much more practical suggestion is to block incoming cell phone calls.
Call screening is a service provided by most mobile phones. It offers a fair amount of security and helps you regulate incoming calls so that you do not receive them at inappropriate moments, such as in the middle of a major meeting or while driving.
- Screen those calls. Take your mobile phone and go to the main menu. Go to Settings > Security; the provided menu should give you options for call restrictions or call barring. Both options amount to the same thing: call screening.
- Disable calls. Scroll down and locate the option to screen incoming calls.
- Read your user's manual. Those are the basic steps that should be present on most phone menus. Always refer to your phone's user manual for more specific instructions tailored to its make and model. The higher-end your phone is, the more involved the call screening options can be. If you wish to block a specific number, you can do so by referring to your user manual, or you can contact your service provider to learn about other options for preventing that number from calling you.
- Online help. You can search online for users who have experienced the same problems and found workarounds for screening calls. Many online phone message boards feature topics dealing with these workarounds and solutions. Posters on these sites often experiment with their phones to find ways and backdoors to get the desired service. Of course, you must be wary of online advice, as some suggestions may void your phone's warranty. As a rule of thumb, avoid advice that instructs you to tinker with the phone's hardware or install software not provided by the manufacturer.
- Unlist your number. You may also want to invest in an unlisted number. Some service providers offer this option to their subscribers, though it is usually a premium service that adds a little extra to your monthly bill. You will need to weigh whether your privacy is worth the modest monthly fee.
Blocking calls is easy if you follow the suggestions above. Call screening is actually a common feature on most phones and through most mobile service providers.
How to Block Incoming Cell Phone Calls
By Howtodotips
Learn practical methods to block and screen unwanted incoming cell phone calls, from utilizing built-in phone settings to contacting your service provider.