How to block spam texts on Android Tom's Guide Skip to main content Tom's Guide is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. How to block spam texts on Android By Millie Davis-Williams published 31 May 2022 Here's how to block spam texts on Android, so you can stop scammers clogging up your inbox (Image credit: Shutterstock) Want to know how to block spam texts on Android? We have the answers you need. Even if you have one of the best Android phones, it's inevitable that you'll eventually start to receive spam text messages. Not only are they annoying, they can also pose a serious security risk - plenty of fishy characters want you to click links or call the numbers they send via scammy text messages in the hopes that they'll be able to steal your money or personal information (or both). But did you know that there's a little-known feature buried in the Google Messages app that can filter and alert you to spam messages before they've even hit your inbox? That's right, you can finally be rid of the diabolical scammers. If you want to be rid of spam texts, here are the steps you can take to stop them coming through to your phone. Read on to find out how to block spam texts on Android. We've also included some methods for blocking individual spam numbers, in case that method suits you better. How to block spam texts on Android - Filter spam messages First things first - if you see a suspicious text, don't reply to it. This could confirm to scammers that yours is a legitimate number and lead to more spam texts coming your way in future. Now that's been said, here's how to block those spam texts from coming through in the first place by using a spam filter. Note: this feature only works using Google Messages, which is pre-installed on Pixel devices. If you're using another device, such as a Samsung, you'll need to download the Google Messages app (opens in new tab). 1. Open the Google Messages app, then tap the three dots in the top-right corner. (Image credit: Future) 2. Next, tap Spam protection. (Image credit: Future) 3. Turn on "Enable spam protection". (Image credit: Future) How to block spam texts on Android  If you keep getting spam texts from a specific number, here's how to stop them coming through. This method is also the best way to block spam messages on non-Google devices without downloading the Google Messages app and enabling a spam filter. 1. Open the spam text and tap the three dots icon in the top-right corner. (Image credit: Future) 2. Tap "block number." (Image credit: Future) If you keep getting spam texts from a specific phone number, this method will stop them coming through. However, some scams continuously generate new phone numbers to send spam texts from, so keep reading to find out what you can do to stop these. How to report spam texts on Android  1. Open the spam text, then tap and hold the message to bring up the menu. Be careful not to tap any links in the message, as opening links from a spam text message puts your phone at major risk. (Image credit: Future) 2. Tap "copy" in the drop down menu. This will copy the text message to your clipboard. (Image credit: Future) 3. Go back to your inbox, then open a new text message by tapping the "+" button in the bottom-right corner. Paste the text you copied into the box, and set the addressee as "7726". This number works for US providers like AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile. (Image credit: Future) 4. Finally, tap send. This will report the text as spam and help your network block future scam text messages. That's it! While it won't stop these scam texts entirely, following these methods will help stop your inbox being filled with spam messages 24/7. If you need more help with your Android phone, we have more tutorials to guide you through the process step-by-step. Check out how to enable secure file on Android, and how to disable location tracking on Android. We can also show you how to speed up your Android phone if it's running too slowly. If you're looking to replicate your anti-spamming skills on iPhone, make sure you check out our guide to how to stop spam texts on iPhone.Today's best Google Pixel 6 dealsPlansUnlockedGet $50 off this p... (opens in new tab)No contractGoogle Pixel 6 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Google Pixel 6 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$35.79/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts4GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$35.79/mth (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Get $31 off this p... (opens in new tab)No contractGoogle Pixel 6 (128GB) (opens in new tab)Google Pixel 6 (128GB) (opens in new tab)$465 (opens in new tab) upfront$30/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddataCalls: to the US, CA, MEX and more + Unlimited Global TextData: Unlimited 2G after using 20GB 4G LTE/5G data (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtextsUnlimiteddataCalls: to the US, CA, MEX and more + Unlimited Global TextData: Unlimited 2G after using 20GB 4G LTE/5G dataView Deal (opens in new tab)at Twigby (opens in new tab)$465 (opens in new tab) upfront$30/mth (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Twigby (opens in new tab)Get $50 off this p... (opens in new tab)No contractGoogle Pixel 6 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Google Pixel 6 (Installments 128GB) (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$40.79/mth (opens in new tab)Unlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds) (opens in new tab)No contractUnlimited minsUnlimitedtexts10GBdataCalls: Calls to MX & CA includedTexts: Messaging to MX & CA includedData: (slowed to 128kbps speeds)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)Free (opens in new tab) upfront$40.79/mth (opens in new tab)View Deal (opens in new tab)at Mint Mobile (opens in new tab)We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Be In the Know Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Millie Davis-WilliamsMillie is a Deals writer at Tom's Guide covering the latest tech news and specializing in deals content and how-to articles about everything from phones, streaming devices and headphones to games and software. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, gaming on her Nintendo Switch and creating digital art. Topics Android Security Smartphones See all comments (2) 2 Comments Comment from the forums SB TG22 The Google Messages app is preinstalled on my smartphone and the spam protection was automatically activated. Reply Snippet admin said:Want to know how to block spam texts on Android? Here's the best way to stop spam texts coming through This hidden Android feature stops spam text messages - try it now : Read moreI don't copy/paste the spam message. I forward the text to 7726. Also I created a contact called Spam with the phone number as 7726. Makes it easy to forward those spams. Reply View All 2 Comments MOST READMOST SHARED1Best phone battery life in 2022: The longest lasting smartphones2This is the October Prime Day TV deal I'm waiting for 3It's time to admit that Rings of Power is just fan fiction4I built my own future-proof laptop - and it's a game changer5Daily Quordle #257 - answers and hints for Saturday, October 81MLB Playoffs live stream 2022: How to watch Wild Card baseball online right now2Best phone battery life in 2022: The longest lasting smartphones3This is the October Prime Day TV deal I'm waiting for 4It's time to admit that Rings of Power is just fan fiction5I built my own future-proof laptop - and it's a game changer