How do I block everyone except my contacts?

[T C]

I just bought my first Android phone. It is a Motorola Moto 4E Plus.

I would like to accept phone calls and text messages only from phone numbers which are in my address book, but I can't figure out how to do that. Is there a setting somewhere which I have missed? Or an application I can download and install on the phone for the purpose?

-TC

 

[bcrichster]

I just bought my first Android phone. It is a Motorola Moto 4E Plus.

I would like to accept phone calls and text messages only from phone numbers which are in my address book, but I can't figure out how to do that. Is there a setting somewhere which I have missed? Or an application I can download and install on the phone for the purpose?

-TC

Just let the call/text ring and only answer numbers that have a verified contact name. As in: if your incoming doesn't have a known Contact name, don't answer it.. Or swipe it to voicemail.

Also, many custom ROMs usually have better blocking capabilities than Stock

 

[T C]

Also, many custom ROMs usually have better blocking capabilities than Stock

Can you elaborate on that? So far, I've been disappointed in the customization options offered by the phone. If there are alternative versions of the operating system that offer more flexibility, then I'm definitely interested.

 

[bcrichster]

Can you elaborate on that? So far, I've been disappointed in the customization options offered by the phone. If there are alternative versions of the operating system that offer more flexibility, then I'm definitely interested.

There's an enormous list of Custom ROMs (Operating Systems) in my All Things Root Guide: https://androidforums.com/threads/moto-e-4-plus-owens-all-things-root-guide.1259898/

Each ROM has its own benefits and perks, it'll be up to you to choose what you like & prefer
May I ask which device model you have? That way if you have any issues or need advice, we can direct you to the proper links because my ROMs are for Qualcomm devices 'owens'.. It'll usually be either XT1776 (Sprint/BoostMobile) or XT1775 (Almost every other Carrier excluding Verizon), not the MediaTek versions 'nicklaus'..

 

[T C]

May I ask which device model you have? That way if you have any issues or need advice, we can direct you to the proper links because my ROMs are for Qualcomm devices 'owens'.. It'll usually be either XT1776 (Sprint/BoostMobile) or XT1775 (Almost every other Carrier excluding Verizon), not the MediaTek versions 'nicklaus'..

My device is XT1775.

 

[KBU2]

Use Mr.Number app from Google play store

 

[James_Watson]

For my mobile phone, there are such setting option. The screenshot is as below.

 

[T C]

James Watson, That is exactly what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have any "Interception rules" settings on my phone. I'm going to go and rethink my decision to buy an Android phone now.

 

[bcrichster]

James Watson, That is exactly what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have any 'Interception rules' settings on my phone. I'm going to go and rethink my decision to buy an Android phone now.

Have you looked at my custom ROM's options yet?

 

[Dannydet]

Really? Just install a call blocker from the play store. You'll have no customizations with an iPhone...

 

[no one]

What if a contact is calling from an unknown number?

 

[Mikestony]

James Watson, That is exactly what I'm looking for. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have any "Interception rules" settings on my phone. I'm going to go and rethink my decision to buy an Android phone now.

Seems akin to the "Do Not Disturb" option, just set your priorities

 

[KBU2]

Why do people want to make simple things so complicated when there's several suggestions Posted that would have worked with their issue, but it seems that the OP is not considering neither of them?

 

[KBU2]

What if a contact is calling from an unknown number?

Simple remedy have all contacts to put in a code if they're calling from an unknown number through voice mail/ text

 

[T C]

I never found a good solution for this problem, so I'd like to raise this question again.

To recap, I'm looking for a way to suppress all calls that don't come from a number in my contacts list. The advice I received was:
1) Use the built in "Interception Rules", which includes exactly the feature I'm looking for. Sadly, my version of Android doesn't have "Interception Rules".
2) Install a custom ROM with better call-blocking features. I looked into this, but decided it was too complicated for me.
3) Use "Mr Number", a 3rd-party app. This is the solution I ended up using.

Mr Number never quite worked. Calls from strangers would ring once before geting suppressed. (I would prefer that the phone not ring at all for calls from strangers.) Today, Mr Number completely stopped working. (I think they've discontinued the free version, because when I look at Mr Number, all I see is a menu of fee-based services.)

So, I'm asking once again: Does anyone know of an easy way to suppress calls from strangers? Do you guys know of any app other than Mr Number which offers this feature? If you have "Interception Rules" among your settings, is there some trick to enabling those settings? Are "Interception Rules" specific to a niche version Android, and if so, can you tell me what version that is?

-TC

 

[Dannydet]

YouMail.
Go into its settings and choose block all non contacts.
It's free version is all you need.
And it has nothing to do with mail, other than vm. Also stops vm from non contacts

 

[T C]

Dannydet, Thanks for the suggestion. I'll check out YouMail.
-TC

 

[T C]

I installed YouMail and I tried to use it, but it wanted me to create an account, agree to pages and pages of terms and conditions, and agree to hand over a lot of personal data. I have no idea what YouMail is supposed to do -- maybe it is an awesome application -- but all I want to do is block non-contact phone calls, and I don't see why I should have to sign a contract or submit personal data to a third party in order to do that. I'm going to pass on YouMail unless I get really desperate.

-TC

 

[Xavier Black]

Sir, lady, or what ever you are..

Danny gave you a wonderful suggestion..in fact, that's exactly what I was about to suggest before I read Danny..and yes, you have to register..you resisted to this forum in order been able to write a comment, didn't you?????

Now in the other hand..you started to sound more like you want to discredit the Android brand than that you really want something good out of it..

Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Dannydet]

Hey, it's your call, TC...
YouMail is available for both Android and iPhone users across the world, and is a reputable company, compared to the crap you install off the play store and other sites.
But decide as you wish.

 

[tube517]

I installed YouMail and I tried to use it, but it wanted me to create an account, agree to pages and pages of terms and conditions, and agree to hand over a lot of personal data. I have no idea what YouMail is supposed to do -- maybe it is an awesome application -- but all I want to do is block non-contact phone calls, and I don't see why I should have to sign a contract or submit personal data to a third party in order to do that. I'm going to pass on YouMail unless I get really desperate.

-TC

Youmail is first a voice mail app. It replaces any voicemail app you are using. Most of the carrier or stock voicemail apps suck.
It has now become a powerful call blocker. The best I've ever used.

If you want to live with so many non contact list phone calls (likely spammers or fraudulent calls) then so be it. Your choice.

What carrier are you on? I just looked up the 4E plus and the Verizon version has a way to block calls.