Caller id and spam protection samsung review

Devices with carrier provisioned firmware typically have the smart calling disabled since they offer their own spam feature that they want you to pay for. Only devices using unlocked firmware will have access to it.

Just to clarify, unlocked firmware doesn't mean the same thing as network unlocked. After your device is paid off and you unlock the network, you still won't get Smart Calling!

Anybody can get it though. If you're not rooted, you can still flash OFFICIAL unlocked firmware to replace your oem locked firmware while still retaining all oem features along with unlocked features as well. If you're rooted then you can flash unofficial firmware but that's another topic.

This is done by downloading the Odin patched tool and the firmware you're looking to flash. Then run the tool on a computer and in about 5 minutes you'll have new firmware. This process does wipe everything so backup first. Check out XDA forums for a detailed guide and list of requirements such as ensuring you're downloading the right version of firmware for your bootloader version. This doesn't require that you unlock your bootloader for this to work either which is the beauty of it since US variants usually can't unlock their bootloader.

BE SURE TO READ A GUIDE BEFORE ATTEMPTING! Doing this wrong or installing the wrong firmware can brick your device (boot loop or frozen rendering it worthless).

Hiya (formerly Whitepages Caller ID) Call Block Security identifies the calls you want to take and blocks the numbers and texts you want to avoid. Hiya is free (no ads!), and is incredibly easy to use.

Block nuisance calls, blacklist unwanted phone numbers and SMS text messages, reverse phone search incoming call information and receive nuisance call alerts.

Hiya is powered by a database of hundreds of millions of phone numbers and millions of happy Hiya users who depend on the app daily.

KEY FEATURES

• Caller ID: Take calls from people you want to talk to and from friends not in your phone book.

• Call Block / Nuisance Call Blocker: Blacklist unwanted callers, and block nuisance or fraudulent calls by sending them straight to voicemail. Control your privacy with an automatic call blocker that lets you blacklist nuisance numbers.

• Security: Automatic alerts warn you if an incoming call is unwanted. Easily report nuisance numbers to help warn others.

• Unknown Callers: Identify unknown callers in real-time.

• SMS Caller ID: Identify unknown SMS text messages, even if they are not from someone in your contacts.

• Reverse phone lookup: Perform a reverse phone search on an unknown number to find out if it is nuisance, fraudulent, or a legitimate caller.

The Smart Call function flags calls that are suspected spam or fraud, and lets you easily block or report the number. Most Samsung customers also have the auto-block capability that stops known fraud calls before reaching your phone.

For whatever reason, spam calls and robocalls have been running rampant as of late. Nobody likes them — at least nobody we’ve ever met — and we’re all looking for a way to get them out of our lives. Luckily, Samsung has a way to get the job done, and it’s known as Samsung Smart Call. Here’s everything you need to know about the service.

See also: Android 12 on Galaxy phones: Hands-on with all the new One UI 4 features

Samsung isn’t the only OEM striving to make your life easier, as Google offers a similar service in its Phone by Google app. We’ll take you through everything that Smart Call does, and then we’ll show you how to make sure it’s active on your phone. Ready to get started?

What is Samsung Smart Call?

Smart Call is a joint effort between Samsung and Hiya to keep fraudulent calls and spammers off your Galaxy device. It relies on Hiya’s automated detection technology to classify calls as soon as your phone begins to ring. Your phone will split all incoming calls into one of four categories: Caller ID, Not suspected as spam, Suspected spam, and Potential fraud.

However, Smart Call goes even further than keeping unwanted calls at bay and offering caller ID. Your phone can utilize the same technology to identify those wanted calls, and in some cases, provide a reason for the call. For example, if you’re getting some work done on your car, Smart Call can determine when the garage calls and let you know what to expect.

You can also use Smart Call to dial your favorite restaurants. It packs a clever search feature that lets you look up local spots and takes you right to the contact information if you need a reservation.

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

As we mentioned, Smart Call results from a partnership between Samsung and Hiya. The two companies have forged a partnership that runs through 2025, so we can expect to see Smart Call on plenty of upcoming devices. Hiya brings robust automated detection services to the mix while Samsung provides the hardware.

To an extent, the feature relies on other users reporting and blocking numbers. After all, a spammer has to start somewhere. In many cases, Smart Call can keep calls from ever reaching your phone in the first place.

How do you enable Samsung Smart Call?

Adam Molina / Android Authority

Enabling Smart Call on your Samsung Galaxy device couldn’t be easier, and there are multiple ways to get it done. It’s just up to you whether you would instead activate it via notifications or in your phone app. Here’s how to use both methods:

Via notifications

1. Swipe down from your home screen to open the notification shade.
2. Locate the Caller ID and spam protection notification.
3. Tap on it to activate the setting.

Via your phone app

1. Open your dialer app.
2. Head to the Call settings menu.
3. Find the Caller ID and spam protection option.
4. Toggle it to On.

While you’re in the phone app, here’s what you have to do if you want the local search feature to work:

1. Locate the Other call settings option.
2. Open the submenu and find Search for places nearby.
3. Toggle it to On.

You can also activate the local search feature by opening the Places tab in your dialer app.

Which phones can you use it on?

Adam Molina / Android Authority

Now that you know pretty much all there is about Samsung Smart Call, you might be itching to get started. The good news is that Samsung Smart Call with Hiya is automatically baked into all new devices starting with the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series. That means that you already have it onboard any Galaxy S21 series device fresh out of the box.

See also: Samsung Galaxy S21 buyer’s guide — Everything you need to know

If you’re not fortunate enough to have one of the latest Galaxy devices, fear not. Smart Call is also available on older Galaxy phones, including the S8, S9, and more. You can also set it up on more affordable Galaxy A series devices, but you’ll have to make sure your software is up to date.

Samsung doesn’t offer an official list of supported devices, so your best bet may be to check your phone’s dialer app and head to the settings menu as described above.

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