The subject above is a configuration option under Call settings and it's totally without ambiguity. Thus it's a great mystery why it doesn't work and spam calls are let through. What possible challenge could it be to check if a phone number from a caller is not in my addressbook? The only reason I can think of is that it's deliberate and Sammy is generating income from not doing what it says.
Also, instead of wasting everybody's time by forcing AI gimmick 'features' on everybody do something useful with AI capabilities.
An example would be to have an automated silent AI answering feature on my phone that allows me to configure unknown callers to explain themselves within 5 to 10 seconds and then block the number when it is deemed spam and/or phising, etc. The user should also be able to quickly review a specific call.
However, such a feature is no excuse for not taking steps to make the promised "Block calls from unknown numbers" work.
In Call Settings Sammy offers to 'Block numbers' (which is a user action) and 'Caller ID and spam protection' (which is a Hiya service).
@realaudsuggests that 'Block spam and scam calls' means that it's only from numbers without caller ID.
Fact remains that Sammy refrains from defining it at the appropriate place in Settings where it would have been usefull.
My interpretation doesn't seem to be unique that 'unknown numbers' means unknown to me and a logic interpretation is that it would be based on matching any call entering with my phone numbers that Sammy surely has and is - probably - to some extent commercializing.
To really provide a service to customers that would eliminate spam calls and phising attacks then Sammy should simply use available user data.
My suggestion of using AI to fine tune this and allow an unknown caller to leave a very brief message would allow the user to later verify and unblock a number and/or return a call.
What I actually said was that "block calls from UNKNOWN numbers" is NOT the same thing as block spam and scam calls. YOU were ranting about block calls from unknown numbers not working, and I explained the distinction. YOU seem to think that block unknown numbers applies to anyone not in your contact list when it is, in fact, only calls with no caller ID. THAT is a very important distinction for people to note. Not to mention that it is completely obvious as to what the means regardless of your own interpretation.
It is also laughable that you believe that SAMSUNG (not Sammy), is profiting off of allowing spam calls through. Truly, though, if you have such a low opinion of Samsung, nothing is preventing you from utilizing other brands and services. I will tell you they all have similar spam controls and, as I mention, even going through your carrier's app is basically the same.
Samsung and your carrier and hiya all use the same available data. Calls that have been identified, either electronically by algorithm, or by user reporting get identified. That scammers continually change numbers and patterns, coupled with normal numbers being recycled and spoofed, some calls are likely to slip through the filters. The bottom line is, if YOU DO NOT WANT CALLS from anyone you do not know, there were options suggested. It's up to you whether you utilize them or not. That Samsung, Google and your carrier offer spam control is a courtesy not a right. NO ONE can control who calls you, but now you have the ability to limit who actually gets through. Back in the stone age we didn't have that.
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...and it doesn't take a genius to figure out that it's designed to reject incoming calls that have a hidden, private, or unidentified caller ID (hence "unknown NUMBER").
When they use the term "block calls from unknown numbers", it does not mean numbers unknown to you, but numbers without caller ID. This is an important distinction. If you only want calls from your contacts, configure do not disturb to let only your contacts through for calls and messages, and keep do not disturb on at all times. All blocking does is not allow your phone to ring for those rejected calls and sends them straight to VM so, if they choose to, spammers can leave a message. Any caller not in your contacts will go straight to voicemail and you will still know they called. Neither Samsung nor the phone company has any control over who calls you. You can only report the calls as spam and block the numbers. If some spam calls ring through, report them and block the number and they will be flagged for the future (and for everyone else).
You can keep your phone muted and run a routine to unmute the phone for certain callers and notifications if you don't want to go the do not disturb route and only reserve do not disturb for when you truly do not want to be disturbed. Your carrier also has tools to block calls through their app, but it essentially does the same thing, routes blocked/potential spam to your voicemailbox.
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@realaud The 'Do not disturb' would require me to add all my contacts as exceptions, which I consider a non-doable workaround with more than 500 contacts.
It would be far more efficient and generally useful for users to have the bundled AI to do some useful work and quickly match my (allowed) numbers with who ever is calling me and take the further steps that I find optimum for my case scenario (as outline above).
A routine will keep your phone muted and only allow calls from your contacts without enumerating them. Likewise configuring DND would allow you to select "contacts only" for calls and messages without enumerating each of your 500 contacts, as well as allowing all notifications, except those you exclude (such as voicemail or missed calls).
As I said, the call blocking controls are a courtesy, not a right, and none of the entities involved have to do anything other than what they are already doing. If you think AI is the answer, have at it and go program an app for that and sell it in the Play store, you'll make a fortune. What? You are not a programmer or app developer, you say? Then stop pretending that there is an easy solution, or that this "easy" solution is easily implemented. I understand that there is at least one brand out there that has a call screening feature. This is not it. Also, the proper avenue for your "suggestion" would be to send feedback directly to the developers via the feedback link in the Members app, not post on a peer-to-peer user help forum and expect Samsung is going to implement your idea, or even take notice of it.
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To give Sammy some inspirations (it's not quite the proper term for what has been going on for years...), here's an AI summary of the the features to manage and reduce spam included in the just released iOS 26 update:
Call Screening and Blocking
Call Identification: Automatically identify incoming calls using information from Apple Business Connect and supported carriers.
Silence Unknown Callers: Send calls from unsaved numbers directly to voicemail.
Ask Reason for Calling: Unknown callers must provide their name and reason before your phone rings.
Block Specific Numbers: Easily block calls from specific contacts through the Phone app.
Text Message Filtering
Screen Messages from Unknown Senders: Filter messages from numbers not saved in your contacts.
Report Spam Messages: You can report unwanted messages as spam.
Block Unwanted Contacts: Prevent specific contacts from sending you messages.
Turn Off Business Alerts: Disable notifications from businesses to reduce spam.
Additional Tips
Use Do Not Disturb: Activate this feature to pause notifications from messages and calls.
Screen Time Settings: Limit messages from unknown senders by adjusting your Screen Time settings.
Surely this can be done as well on Android devices...
