How to block annoying spam messages on Android

Receiving random, unsolicited messages on your phone is not just annoying but can put you at risk of scamming. You could also unknowingly install malware and other viruses onto your device as most of these messages come with links. No mobile phone, regardless its costs and features, can protect you from receiving these messages, but there are steps you can take yourself on your Android device to reduce the number of these messages you receive.

Blocking the numbers

According to XDA, blocking spam messages is a bit more tricky to do on Android phones than it is on iOS devices.

We say that because of the sheer number of Android phones out there with customized skins on top of the vanilla Android experience.

The website recommends downloading the Google Messages app which is pre-installed on Pixel devices. If you use other Android-powered phones, you can find it in the Google Play Store. This app comes recommended because it has a Spam Protection feature that sifts through your messages to remove those that are spam.

Google Messages as spam block

Downloading the app is the first step. There are few easy steps you need to go through to secure your inbox.

• Open the app once you have downloaded it and tap on the ‘Account’ button. ‘Messages settings’ will be one of the options that pop up.
• When you scroll down, you will see the ‘Spam protection’ option
• Turn on this feature to enable the app to block spam messages

This feature works by flagging spam messages and sometimes blocking them from sending you messages in the future. It is not a 100% foolproof method and some numbers still get past the system. You will have to report those.

Read more:

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⋙ Gmail, Outlook and Hotmail users warned about new inbox scam

⋙ Scam warning: WhatsApp scam alert could cost you £1000