A few settings on a phone cut down the calls and texts scams start with. They suit anyone, and they are worth setting up together with an older relative, with their agreement, so they know what each one does.
The steps come from Apple’s and Google’s own help pages, checked on 17 October 2026.
The short answer. On an iPhone, turn on Screen Unknown Callers in Settings, then Apps, then Phone. On Android with Google Messages, check that spam protection is on under Messages settings, then Protection and safety. Then agree a family safe word, turn on two-step login for email and banking, and save the bank’s real number in the contacts.
On an iPhone
- Screen Unknown Callers: Settings, then Apps, then Phone, then Screen Unknown Callers. Choose Ask Reason for Calling, so unknown callers are asked why they are calling before the phone rings, or Silence, to send them to voicemail.
- Silence Unknown Callers on FaceTime: Settings, then Apps, then FaceTime.
- Calls are not screened while roaming, and calling emergency services turns screening off for 24 hours. Source: Apple Support, Manage unknown callers.
On Android with Google Messages
- Spam protection: open Google Messages, tap the profile picture, then Messages settings, then Protection and safety, then Spam protection, and check that Enable spam protection is on. It is on by default, and it moves suspected scam and spam messages to a spam folder.
- Google says it may check links in messages and briefly process unencrypted messages to detect spam. Source: Google Messages Help.
For any phone
- A family safe word: a word only the family knows, to check who is really calling before anyone sends money or shares a code. Make and print a card.
- Two-step login on email, banking and social media accounts. How to turn it on.
- The bank’s real number in the contacts, copied from the back of the card, so a call can always be checked by hanging up and ringing the bank back.
- One rule for any request for money: stop, and check with someone you trust using a number you already have. Read the rule.
Questions people ask
How do I stop scam calls on an iPhone?
Turn on Screen Unknown Callers in Settings, then Apps, then Phone, and choose Ask Reason for Calling or Silence.
How do I block scam texts on Android?
In Google Messages, make sure spam protection is on: profile picture, Messages settings, Protection and safety, Spam protection.
Before you go
Work through the printable checklist together, and make a family safe word card — both free.