I have been getting a ton of spam, fraud, robo calls, and I'm sick of it. In a last ditch effort I may have to change my phone number. I've been looking for a call blocker that will answer and hangup on calls; not go to voicemail. I am on Android 6.0.1 I've tried a whole bunch of phone call blockers and none of them will answer and hangup the calls, they just go to voicemail after 1 ring. I was looking around and tried Extreme Call Blocker because it has that feature and was highly rated but that dose't even work.
Any help would be appreciated. :good:
Thanks in advance.
In the same boat with a Galaxy S7 on Android 6.0.1. Have also tried everything.
dave1977nj said:
I have been getting a ton of spam, fraud, robo calls, and I'm sick of it. In a last ditch effort I may have to change my phone number. I've been looking for a call blocker that will answer and hangup on calls; not go to voicemail. I am on Android 6.0.1 I've tried a whole bunch of phone call blockers and none of them will answer and hangup the calls, they just go to voicemail after 1 ring. I was looking around and tried Extreme Call Blocker because it has that feature and was highly rated but that dose't even work.
Any help would be appreciated. :good:
Thanks in advance.
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Click to collapse
Instead of blocking, forward the calls to a number that does not exist. They will get the disconnected error message and you won't get a voicemail. Another option is create a Google Voice number, forward these calls to it and block the calls on the GV number so callers get the "Number is disconnected..." message.
T4skM4st3r said:
Instead of blocking, forward the calls to a number that does not exist. They will get the disconnected error message and you won't get a voicemail. Another option is create a Google Voice number, forward these calls to it and block the calls on the GV number so callers get the "Number is disconnected..." message.
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How would you forward only specific numbers? The built in forwarding feature only allows all calls to be forwarded under specific conditions (busy, no answer etc) and I can't find an app that does only specific numbers either.
jlager said:
How would you forward only specific numbers? The built in forwarding feature only allows all calls to be forwarded under specific conditions (busy, no answer etc) and I can't find an app that does only specific numbers either.
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I thought Verizon allowed you to do "selective" call forwarding by number but I can only find it now referenced for Fios or residential service. I guess the way I'd do it then would be to setup a Google Voice account and set my carrier to use Google Voice for my voicemail. Then I would use the Android contact settings to set those callers I didn't like to go straight to voicemail. Then in my GV setting I would block those callers and they get the disconnected message and don't get to leave a msg.
Are there any Nougat compatible apps?
https://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-z-play/how-to/people-realize-call-blocking-apps-t3666123
Does anyone know of numbers that are not in service or how to find them so we can forward the calls to that number?
dave1977nj said:
Does anyone know of numbers that are not in service or how to find them so we can forward the calls to that number?
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What app would let you accomplish this without making your phone useless? Selectively doing this forwarding.
dave1977nj said:
does anyone know of numbers that are not in service or how to find them so we can forward the calls to that number?
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(012) 345-6789
Call Control has the "answer and hang up" feature.
There's also Tasker: https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=76529612&postcount=17
Old thread, but searchers may find it relevant until a carrier-wide solution gets implemented. At the end of the day, an effective solution must include a black-list database that is constributed to by thousands of people and is checked against for every call that hits the phone. My rationale is that it is simply too cumbersome and time consuming to enter individual bad-actor numbers, given the ease with which both the incoming call number and text line are synthesized by the sophisticated call center dialers these days.
I use "Should I Answer," available on Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mistergroup.muzutozvednout . It takes awhile to set up correctly with correct permissions, etc. and another while to learn to use. But it works very well if set up correctly. You can blacklist a bad-actor number "privately" or "publicly." A publicly blacklisted number goes to the community database. You can also set a threshold for the number of times that incoming numbers have been reported to the public database before your phone automatically "picks up and hangs up" when a public database number comes in on your phone. So, in essence you are able to set the "false positive" threshold for such numbers.
Best,
Bruce
BruceElliott said:
Old thread, but searchers may find it relevant until a carrier-wide solution gets implemented. At the end of the day, an effective solution must include a black-list database that is constributed to by thousands of people and is checked against for every call that hits the phone. My rationale is that it is simply too cumbersome and time consuming to enter individual bad-actor numbers, given the ease with which both the incoming call number and text line are synthesized by the sophisticated call center dialers these days.
I use "Should I Answer," available on Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mistergroup.muzutozvednout . It takes awhile to set up correctly with correct permissions, etc. and another while to learn to use. But it works very well if set up correctly. You can blacklist a bad-actor number "privately" or "publicly." A publicly blacklisted number goes to the community database. You can also set a threshold for the number of times that incoming numbers have been reported to the public database before your phone automatically "picks up and hangs up" when a public database number comes in on your phone. So, in essence you are able to set the "false positive" threshold for such numbers.
Best,
Bruce
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I looked at Should I Answer, but it doesn't meet my needs. It does the wildcard thing properly, but does not do the answer-and-hang-up thing properly. At least, not on my phone. Instead, rejected calls go to voicemail, and the entire objective of the exercise is not to have to deal with voicemails from crooks.
If there's a blocker which can do both wildcard matching and answer-and-hang-up, I'll be right there in a flash.
Loganberry said:
I looked at Should I Answer, but it doesn't meet my needs. It does the wildcard thing properly, but does not do the answer-and-hang-up thing properly. At least, not on my phone. Instead, rejected calls go to voicemail, and the entire objective of the exercise is not to have to deal with voicemails from crooks.
If there's a blocker which can do both wildcard matching and answer-and-hang-up, I'll be right there in a flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right; I had to fool with it quite a bit on Samsung Galaxy S5 on Android 6.0.1 to get it to "pick up and hang up." I had to read quite a bit in the help on the app and maybe even on the website. But it was seriously worthwhile. Now I very rarely get a bad call and never see bad calls on voicemail. But if you've done all of that, maybe it just won't work on your phone.
Related
Picked up an IO phone, and since we cannot activate the Evo on our Sprint lines yet, I am starting to use my google number for my main number. Figure good time to switch.
Dialing in and out is fine so far. I like that I can control who rings through to what phone etc.
I am not sure I am a fan of how it handles text. Seems like all SMS go into gvoice, AND into handcent, but handcent comes from some 406 number.
Anyone find a way to work around this? Of a way to make texting work more like it does if they text your phone?
Disable Google Voice (on the website) from texting the #, and just use the Google Voice app for SMS w/ the GVoice #.
[off topic, but still maybe useful]
Just recently came up with a somewhat unexpected use for Google Voice: I programmed Google voice number into building's intercom system. Now when somebody tries to get into the building and dials my apartment, all my phones ring. Especially convenient, if you need to talk to UPS guy when you're at work.
Yeah, go to the website and disable SMS to your cell phone and just use the google voice application for texts.
sergey.povzner said:
[off topic, but still maybe useful]
Just recently came up with a somewhat unexpected use for Google Voice: I programmed Google voice number into building's intercom system. Now when somebody tries to get into the building and dials my apartment, all my phones ring. Especially convenient, if you need to talk to UPS guy when you at work.
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Cool!
I do something similar at work.
I have my GV calls forwarded to my office desk number and my cell phone at the same time. This way I have the option to answer using my desk number or my cell phone.
Bah, this does not seem like a good solution.
Handcent, Chomp, etc, have a great popup that I really like. Going through google voice app all the time isn't as handy.
I was also a little surprised that I am not able to send or receive mms at all through google voice. So any pictures / links have to be sent directly to my phone.
sergey.povzner said:
[off topic, but still maybe useful]
Just recently came up with a somewhat unexpected use for Google Voice: I programmed Google voice number into building's intercom system. Now when somebody tries to get into the building and dials my apartment, all my phones ring. Especially convenient, if you need to talk to UPS guy when you're at work.
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Click to collapse
I've been doing this for years. Never occurred to me to tell anyone else about it. Thanks.
sergey.povzner said:
[off topic, but still maybe useful]
Just recently came up with a somewhat unexpected use for Google Voice: I programmed Google voice number into building's intercom system. Now when somebody tries to get into the building and dials my apartment, all my phones ring. Especially convenient, if you need to talk to UPS guy when you're at work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also very handy if you have roomates.
I use both Handcent and the Google Voice app. I add the 406 number to the contact then I know who I am messaging, and if I delete the message I can still message them from Handcent. I emailed the email for the Google Voice app to see if they would be able to add a quick reply somehow within the app. We shall see how that goes.....
fireboy6275 said:
I use both Handcent and the Google Voice app. I add the 406 number to the contact then I know who I am messaging, and if I delete the message I can still message them from Handcent. I emailed the email for the Google Voice app to see if they would be able to add a quick reply somehow within the app. We shall see how that goes.....
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Click to collapse
This won't always work as the number changes depending on when the message is sent.
As for setting it up to not send SMS to my phone, I tried that and it didn't work. You have one of two options if you're in my situation. Tell the GV app to not notify you of anything, essentially making it useless. Or have Handcent block the number that GV sends you texts from. You have to block a new one whenever it shows a new number but it works decently that way. I'm just stuck with getting two messages until friday lol
I am with you. The whole txt message thing is why I'll probably never use google voice for much else besides maybe a call forward.
chuckhriczko said:
This won't always work as the number changes depending on when the message is sent.
As for setting it up to not send SMS to my phone, I tried that and it didn't work. You have one of two options if you're in my situation. Tell the GV app to not notify you of anything, essentially making it useless. Or have Handcent block the number that GV sends you texts from. You have to block a new one whenever it shows a new number but it works decently that way. I'm just stuck with getting two messages until friday lol
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Click to collapse
You either have to choose - use the GV app or use Handcent or whatever other SMS proggie you like. If you use the GV app, turn off SMS forwarding and all texts are handled within the GV app itself, no charges for texts with your carrier, and there is no need to deal with 406 numbers because the app is all integrated with your contacts.
If you need to use an SMS proggie, then of course you'll have to forward text to your GV account as SMS' and the benefit of GV is lowered.
I have my gv # on my friends and family list. I guess this means I'm using minutes when I use gv to dial out.
Does anyone know how this works?
You will want to download the "Google Voice" app from the Droid Marketplace. Also if you search these forums there are how-to's on how to set it up to replace your Verizon voicemail as well as using it to call out/have calls come in. If you need more help after that let me know (also I would happy to take a GV invite off your hands if you have one to spare =p, *note* I will continue to help you regardless ).
I've already downloaded that app and I love how it works except for not using my local gv number when I dial out. It seems to use a random, simi-local number each time.
You've got an invite either way. PM me your email address and I'll figure out how to send the invitation.
Thanks for your help.
DeeBG said:
You will want to download the "Google Voice" app from the Droid Marketplace. Also if you search these forums there are how-to's on how to set it up to replace your Verizon voicemail as well as using it to call out/have calls come in. If you need more help after that let me know (also I would happy to take a GV invite off your hands if you have one to spare =p, *note* I will continue to help you regardless ).
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Just wondering, I'm not sure if this is related to your issue, but did you have caller ID blocked in any way before/during setting up GV?
Edit: Also for making outgoing calls, are you calling your GV number and then dialing out from there? Using that method or calling directly from your computer SHOULD make your GV number appear when you call someone (the GV app is suppose to do this for you, btw if you need help testing this I can PM you my phone number... free weekend mins and all =p).
Force GV Settings
Another thing you can try is going to https://www.google.com/voice/#callsettings and setting the "Caller ID (out)" to your GV number. This might force GV to display the correct number. What it sounds like they are doing now is drawing from a pool of random numbers in the area (for whatever reason, I don't know why) that they control and routing your call through them.
From what I have read, there is no way to dial straight out through gv. You have to dial your own gv number and use the #2 option.
I think I had a Window's Mobile app on my Touch Pro that did that for me.
DeeBG said:
Another thing you can try is going to https://www.google.com/voice/#callsettings and setting the "Caller ID (out)" to your GV number.
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Click to collapse
No, right under that option it says this:
"Note: this setting currently only applies to text messages; calls will be included soon."
gentleart said:
From what I have read, there is no way to dial straight out through gv. You have to dial your own gv number and use the #2 option.
I think I had a Window's Mobile app on my Touch Pro that did that for me.
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That's not how it works with the native Android app. It's much quicker/easier and it dials some other "special" number, not your own GV number.
lexluthor said:
That's not how it works with the native Android app. It's much quicker/easier and it dials some other "special" number, not your own GV number.
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That defeats what I want it for - free calls.
My GVoice app seems to dial the same number every time. When you start a call using your GVoice number, just look at the pop up that says "Calling via Google Voice ###-###-####' and add that to your Verizon Friends & Family numbers. Your bill will show that you call that number over and over, so all outgoing calls are free. Incoming calls will not be free unfortunatelly :-/
gentleart said:
That defeats what I want it for - free calls.
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Hey gentleart sorry for the late reply, I've been afk for a couple days thanks to my gf working the front desk at a Pediatrician's office x.x (curse those snot-bubbling runts, we went through 30 packs of ramen noodles and tea in the last few days =p).
I didn't notice that "Caller ID (out)" only applied to text, I wrote that before I had access to GV and that was a recommendation I read on their board. Even if that were true for making phone calls though, it might not solve your problem. I'll make a thread on the Google Voice help site about this specific problem though (I'll PM you the link once the post is up) and if an answer arises out of it, I'll post it back in this forum for public knowledge (BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE IS POWER! ugh sorry... x.x).
"Free for All"
arnoldo83 said:
Incoming calls will not be free unfortunatelly :-/
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J/W, under Google Voice's "Calls" settings, have you tried changing "Caller ID (in)" to "Display my Google Voice number"? For some reason I have a feeling that you would still get billed for the incoming call (I can't wait until cell phones work like landlines) plus you wouldn't know who was calling (possibly forcing you to talk with relatives or even worse... ex-significant others x.x).
If you are a heavy enough phone user to need this you would probably want to switch to the unlimited plan, but I'm just curious how it would work with Verizon. For now though, I'm going to try and figure out why some people are getting multiple outgoing GV numbers when using the Android app (I think if you are in a heavily populated area - by GV users at least - that it might just cycle you out to another number... but there should be a way to force it to use your number without having to dial manually).
arnoldo83 said:
My GVoice app seems to dial the same number every time. When you start a call using your GVoice number, just look at the pop up that says "Calling via Google Voice ###-###-####' and add that to your Verizon Friends & Family numbers. Your bill will show that you call that number over and over, so all outgoing calls are free. Incoming calls will not be free unfortunatelly :-/
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This is what I did, and I can confirm that all outgoing calls are free. I also added my GV number to my "10" so that when family calls it's included. Unfortunately you can't have your cake and eat it too, your incoming calls will be charged minutes just like they've always been. I just have it go to my work phone while I'm at work, and answer it for free using my land line.
Google Voice Callback
gentleart said:
I have my gv # on my friends and family list. I guess this means I'm using minutes when I use gv to dial out.
Does anyone know how this works?
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Install Google Voice Callback. This routes your calls via the web for dialing purposes and then google voice calls you back. Now outgoing calls are free if you have friends and family, and incoming calls are free if someone calls your google voice number.
You still have to have a pretty high priced contract with Verizon to get friends and family though.
For fear of sounding like an idiot I just have to ask.. I got a Google invite finally and now I'm not sure what I want to do. I really need to keep my current cell number because I have a billion business cards with this number, but I want the awesome voicemail service. I'm guessing I should choose the Voice Mail option only and I will not lose my current number? Does this sound about right?
gentleart said:
That defeats what I want it for - free calls.
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The number you see pop up when you dial should actually be the same each time. You should put that number in your friends and family and then using google voice out should not use minutes.
This may help, put this text in a Google search and take the top link
site:lifehacker.com google voice free
Ok, I used to have an app installed on my phone that not only would block calls that i chose (by number) but it gave me the option for an error message to be played for the caller. I had it set to say "your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again." Now I cannot find this app, does anyone know what it is? Please help, thanks.
Jason
Not the app you're looking for, but I use aFirewall and it blocks calls. It just sends them to Voice mail, but if you have Google Voice you can set it up to send them to a really obnoxious voice mail message.
Yea, I had that, but the app I had before literally made the caller think your number had been disconnected. It was sweet.
cm6 rc2 has a blacklist in call settings, works just fine.
icon57 said:
cm6 rc2 has a blacklist in call settings, works just fine.
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Click to collapse
Yes, this works also, but it doesn't redirect to voicemail. It just outright end the call.
back to my main question, blacklisting is not the thing wanted, it is the message played to the caller, "your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again.
I had an app that allowed the user to chose the message the caller hears, another option was the...beep...beep...beep...beep tone.
It was sweet.
I would be interested in finding the name of this app... I'll keep an eye on this thread.
Done tonnes of searching and can't find what you mean.
If you do find it please send me a PM, sounds class
Michigan Jason said:
back to my main question, blacklisting is not the thing wanted, it is the message played to the caller, "your call cannot be completed as dialed, please check the number and dial again.
I had an app that allowed the user to chose the message the caller hears, another option was the...beep...beep...beep...beep tone.
It was sweet.
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Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure Google Voice does this, When I was reading the GV FAQ awhile back I remember thinking what a really cool function of GV it was. On the downside I believe GV has to be your primary number though, not positive, you might wanna check it out.
productofusa said:
I'm pretty sure Google Voice does this, When I was reading the GV FAQ awhile back I remember thinking what a really cool function of GV it was. On the downside I believe GV has to be your primary number though, not positive, you might wanna check it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google voice does let you set a specific number to get a disconnected message.
It does require for you to use google voice as your voicemail, but it does not need to replace your current number.
i've used this feature and it is quite effective. for maximum effect just set the option within your phone book to send the caller directly to voicemail.
your phone will not even ring.
Easybusy
I think you talking about easybusy. I use it and have my phone set to forward calls to a fake number like 555-555-5555. One problem, I'm currently testing the new energy rom and now my easybusy software will not work.
There are two problems I have discovered with GV and Sprint number integration that you should know about before you switch, because it's a pain to turn this feature off (as I just did.)
If you need to use any service that must call you, and you must enter digits on the phone, it won't work. There's a problem with GV where if the other person starts the call to you, DTMF signals from your end are too distorted to register with any equipment that reads them.
Second, GV has a call record feature that is toggled by hitting the number 4. When it is toggled it announces to both you and the other person that the call is being recorded. This doesn't sound like a bad thing at first, but note that it can be triggered accidentally depending on you or the other person's voice through a phenomenon called talkoff. Talkoff is when a human voice mimics a DTMF signal for a very short time, but long enough to trigger some equipment to interpret it as a key press. The equipment that google uses is susceptible to this. When it is accidentally triggered, have fun explaining to the other person why they just heard the message "this call is being recorded."
More information about this problem can be found here: http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/voice/thread?tid=7e30f066f09baf68&hl=en
Curious as to what you mean bye your first point... could you give an example of what kind service would cause this..
Sorry if this is a dumb question lol
Chad
Chadk881 said:
Curious as to what you mean bye your first point... could you give an example of what kind service would cause this..
Sorry if this is a dumb question lol
Chad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like say you need an online bank to verify your phone number, they'll have an automated system that calls you, and then has you input a number to verify you own the phone number, when you do this it won't be able to recognize the numbers you key in.
Rakeesh_j said:
Like say you need an online bank to verify your phone number, they'll have an automated system that calls you, and then has you input a number to verify you own the phone number, when you do this it won't be able to recognize the numbers you key in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This call record feature... this works at any time by hitting 4? How does that work if you are navigating a DTMF menu?
From the linked forum post it looks like the call record feature does not activate if you call out so hitting 4 in a calling tree would allow you to navigate. Haven't tried it myself but from reading the link it looks to be true.
Rakeesh_j said:
Like say you need an online bank to verify your phone number, they'll have an automated system that calls you, and then has you input a number to verify you own the phone number, when you do this it won't be able to recognize the numbers you key in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd, I have had to do this with several companies and never once had a problem..
Hello everyone!
I was wanting to know if anyone knew of a good call blocker that works well. I have been getting a ton of spam calls from random numbers, they are never the same., so blocking each one seems to be a endless task I would like to be able to block all calls and text msgs from anyone who is not in my contact list. I have a Sprint S8, and Note 8. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Get a copy of truecaller.
While I used it, it blocked 95% of spam calls.
I use this one and it's very effective.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.webascender.callerid
I personally use YOUMAIL as default voicemail and call blocker. You can set different funny prerecorded greetings, for spammers and marketing I choose one that says, like the following number is disconnected or your calling an Indian CSR.
On top you get free transcribing for like 10 minutes of messages.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.youmail.android.vvm
I'm researching call blockers. I'm currently inundated with spoofing type spam since most of the calls appear to come from my local area. Therefore I plan to setup the call blocker to block any callers not in my Contact list. After the call, I will check my voicemail to determine whether the call was legitimate. If legitimate I will tag them as safe so that future calls will be accepted.
While TrueCaller seems a nice call blocker, the free version has so many ads that they become a major distraction. The free version of Hiya is a joke and can't even meet my limited requirements. I like Should I Answer, but I'm interested in feedback from others before making a decision.