
# How to Block Incoming Calls: Regain Control of Your Phone

Unwanted phone calls can be time-consuming and frustrating, disrupting your peace and privacy. To protect yourself from telemarketers, scammers, or persistent callers, you need to know how to block incoming calls effectively. This guide will walk you through the process, empowering you to take control of your phone and enjoy hassle-free communication.

## Understand the Importance of Blocking Incoming Calls

Unwanted phone calls can interfere with daily activities and invade your privacy. Blocking these calls can help you manage your time and focus better. Here are the key benefits:

* Increased Productivity: Eliminates interruptions from unwanted calls, allowing you to focus on your tasks without distractions.
* Reduced Stress: Creates a more peaceful phone environment, promoting better mental well-being by eliminating anxiety and frustration caused by unwanted calls.
* Protection Against Scams: Safeguards you from potential scams and fraudulent activities by blocking calls from unknown or suspicious numbers.

## 4 Ways to Block Incoming Calls

To block incoming calls, consider the following methods:

### 1. Built-in Call Blocking Features

Most smartphones have native call-blocking features that allow you to block calls directly from your device. Here’s how to use them:

* Android Devices:
  * Open the Phone app and go to the Call History or Recent Calls section.
  * Tap on the number you want to block, then select the option to block or add to the block list.
  * Access call settings to manage your block list or enable features like “Do Not Disturb” mode.
* iOS Devices:
  * Open the Phone app and go to the Recents tab.
  * Find the number you want to block and tap on the “i” icon next to it.
  * Scroll down and select the “Block this Caller” option.

### 2. Third-Party Call Blocking Apps

Third-party call-blocking apps offer enhanced features and capabilities. One effective app is XCaller, which automatically blocks unwanted calls, including scams and robocalls. It also filters necessary and normal calls based on customized rules you set. Leveraging AI technology and machine learning, XCaller improves with use, providing maximum protection.

### 3. Do Not Disturb Mode and Call Filters

Do Not Disturb mode and call filters can be useful tools for blocking calls during specific times or from certain types of numbers. Here’s how to use them:

#### 3.1 Do Not Disturb Mode

* Android Devices: Access the Settings app, find the “Sound” or “Notifications” section, and enable Do Not Disturb mode. Customize settings to allow exceptions for important calls or specific contacts.
* iOS Devices: Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner and tap the crescent moon icon to enable Do Not Disturb mode. Adjust settings in the Settings app to customize exceptions.

#### 3.2 Call Filters

* Android Devices: Some devices offer call filter options. Access the Phone app settings and look for options such as “Call Blocking” or “Call Filter” to manage filters.
* iOS Devices: Use the “Silence Unknown Callers” option in the Phone settings. This will silence calls from numbers not in your contacts or recent outgoing calls.

## Summary

Unwanted calls can disrupt your life and invade your privacy. By using native call-blocking features, third-party apps, carrier-based services, and Do Not Disturb mode and call filters, you can regain control of your phone and ensure uninterrupted communication. Take control of your phone experience, block unwanted calls, and create a more effective and peaceful phone environment with the right tools and knowledge.



# Top Reasons to Regularly Update the XCaller Number Database

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Ever wondered why XCaller keeps reminding you to open the app to update the number database? Or curious about what these updates actually do?

## What’s all this about the number database?

Have you ever noticed XCaller occasionally failing to recognize incoming calls? When this happens, it's likely because you haven't updated the number database. The app’s accuracy in identifying numbers depends on these updates. The XCaller global numbers database is sourced from four main channels, ensuring you get the latest and most accurate identification information.

### Governmental Cooperation

We collaborate with various international government agencies, integrating scam information to enhance our identification of unknown numbers. Our database includes over one billion phone numbers from around the world.

### User Reports

User reports from across the globe contribute to the comprehensiveness of our number database.

### AI Fraud Prevention

Our advanced AI technology analyzes and predicts fraud group behavior, accurately identifying unknown numbers, providing early warnings, and preventing malicious reports and fraudulent use of numbers.

### Review Team & Two-Factor Verification

A dedicated review team constantly monitors report data, filtering out false reports and private numbers to improve the accuracy of number identification.

XCaller’s extensive database of over one billion numbers is a powerful tool for identifying numbers and warning users about malicious calls!

## Top Reasons to Regularly Update

### 1. Why Are Phone Numbers Constantly Changing?

Phone numbers linked to scammers, telemarketers, and various organizations are constantly shifting. Fraudsters, in particular, use IP Internet phones to quickly obtain new numbers or spoof legitimate business numbers. Once reported, they simply change their numbers again.

To keep up with these rapid changes, XCaller updates its database weekly, adding new numbers and reminding you to open the app and update it for continued protection.

### 2. Efficient Integration of Over One Billion Numbers

XCaller maintains a database of more than one billion phone numbers globally. Adding all these numbers directly to your app would consume significant storage. Instead, XCaller integrates a local list of highly active and high-risk numbers, including scams, telemarketing, and harassment calls, into the database. Users just need to update their app manually or automatically each week to stay fully protected.

### 3. The Importance of Weekly Updates

Phone numbers change frequently. Without regular updates, new numbers may not be recognized, decreasing the recognition rate. According to XCaller statistics, an average country sees updates of about 30,000 to 70,000+ numbers weekly. By adding these numbers to your XCaller app, you significantly enhance the number recognition rate. Regular updates also ensure the database includes the latest high-risk numbers, helping to keep users safe from scams and protecting your call security.

## Upgrade to Premium for Automatic Database Updates

Keeping your number database updated weekly ensures better call recognition. But what if you forget or don't have the time?

With XCaller Premium, you can enjoy automatic updates to your number database! By upgrading, you no longer need to manually open the app to update it. XCaller will automatically import the latest numbers each week, ensuring you always have the most current number information.



# What is a Caller ID App & How Does it Work?

Our time is too valuable to waste on spammers, and our privacy too precious to risk with scammers. Caller ID apps help us avoid unwanted calls and protect us from fraud. With billions of robocalls every year causing significant losses, defending against phone fraud is crucial.

Caller ID apps are our first line of defense against scammers who seek to steal personal information and hack our accounts. Built-in caller ID is a start, but dedicated apps like XCaller provide more detailed, reliable information and customizable features for better protection.

The goal of caller ID apps is straightforward: to give the recipient information about the caller, whether it's a person, business, or agency. While caller ID apps may differ in their specific operations, they generally follow similar basic processes.

## The Technology Behind Caller ID

Caller ID information comes from your phone carrier, which retrieves data by matching the caller's phone number against a CNAM (Caller Name) database. Since there are multiple CNAM databases, the information displayed can vary based on which one the carrier uses.

XCaller, a combined caller ID app and spam blocker, checks incoming calls against its own global database of over one billion phone numbers. It also creates unique audio fingerprints for each caller, tracking both voices and phone numbers to effectively combat caller ID spoofing. XCaller’s predictive algorithm and extensive database offer a comprehensive approach to identifying callers, informing recipients, and fighting spam.

## Working with Smartphones

Caller ID apps provide more detailed information compared to built-in caller ID features. Integrating them with your smartphone is straightforward: search for a high-quality caller ID app such as XCaller on the App Store. Download and activate the software, and regularly update it when new versions are released. Once activated, the app will replace your default caller ID functionality.

## Key features of Caller ID apps

Using a reliable caller ID app provides several benefits that enhance privacy and streamline call management. Such apps can identify unknown numbers, prevent spam and scams from reaching your phone, and enhance overall phone security for you and your family.

### Real-Time Caller Identification

Real-time caller identification, akin to reverse number lookups, provides immediate insights into the caller's identity and the nature of their call as they attempt to reach you. This allows you to make a prompt decision on whether to answer the call before it goes to voicemail.

XCaller leverages an extensive global database and advanced audio fingerprinting to deliver efficient and precise call-blocking, number lookup, and caller identification services. Our robust scam and spam blocker is designed to provide users with the utmost protection against unwanted and potentially harmful calls.

### Blocking spam and unwanted calls

Protecting your privacy and managing your time becomes simpler when you know the caller's identity. Caller ID apps inform you about incoming calls and often alert you to potential scams or spam. If a call appears suspicious or unsafe, you can easily ignore or block it.

While all caller ID apps enable manual call screening, advanced apps like XCaller automatically block spam calls. This proactive approach effectively eliminates spam calls and shields you from fraudsters who might otherwise disrupt your life and attempt to obtain your personal information.

### Reverse number lookup

Certain caller ID apps offer a reverse phone number lookup feature, providing details about the phone number that attempted to contact you. XCaller’s tool shows the caller’s reputation, XCaller status (Allowed or Blocked), along with user comments and analytics, assisting you in deciding whether to trust calls from that number. If uncertain about a phone number, utilize the reverse number lookup to check for any associations with spam.

## Summary

A caller ID app provides users with information about incoming calls, enabling them to decide whether to answer or send the call to voicemail. Apart from displaying the caller's phone number, caller ID apps may also furnish details such as the caller's name, reputation, and location.


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