[10 Methods] How to Stop Incoming Calls without Blocking?
Are you tired of constant interruptions from incoming calls but don't want to block anyone? Learning how to stop incoming calls without blocking can be a lifesaver when you're at work, in a meeting, or just need some peace and quiet.
So, here, let's explore some practical methods to manage incoming call chaos.
Quick Overview: 10 Ways to Stop Incoming Calls Without Blocking
| Method | Use Case | What it Achieves | Limitations |
| Do Not Disturb Mode (DND) | When you're busy or trying to rest. | Only urgent notifications will be shown | Have to do proper customization |
| Airplane Mode | When you're traveling, meditating, or saving battery | Everything is disabled, and no apps can be used due to no internet | You'll feel completely disconnected with no notifications received |
| Call Forwarding | For forwarding calls to another number or voicemail without answering | Incoming calls are forwarded silently to limit distractions | Can cost you a few bucks |
| Silent Ringtone | When you want to silence only a contact or so. | Your selected contacts won't be able to disturb you with any calls. | Silent tones must have to be purchased or created manually. |
| Mute System Sound | When you want to silence everything on the phone that's taking your attention. | No sound for calls or messages; you won't hear any rings | All notifications will be silenced. |
| Block Calls from Unknown Numbers | When you don't want to receive any unknown calls. | People who are not in your contacts, all of them will be blocked, for sure. | No more important unknown calls. |
| Call Barring | Silence or restrict all incoming calls while roaming | International calls will be totally neglected. | Have to add the barring password. |
| Call Screening | For avoiding unknown calls and messages using an advanced filter | Identifies known contacts; screens out unknown numbers | Service available in limited regions |
| Focus Mode | For avoiding distractions during focused activities | Notifications allowed based on selected focus mode | Manual adjustment for your focus tasks or activities |
| Silence Unknown Callers | To completely avoid persistent unknown calls | Unknown calls are automatically silenced | Unknown numbers are ignored, regardless of importance |
General Methods Available on iPhone & Android Phone
1Do Not Disturb Mode
Do Not Disturb mode (DND) is your go-to solution for stopping incoming calls without having to block anyone. Perfect for those times when you're swamped with tasks or just need some downtime, DND lets only the most urgent notifications slip through, helping you stay focused and interruption-free.
💡To get the most out of DND, take a moment to customize which notifications you allow. This way, you stay connected to what truly matters while effortlessly filtering out the noise.
For Android: Swipe down the Control Center > Choose Do Not Disturb.
You can long-press this control to jump to the settings page, where you can prioritize contacts and customize everything to your liking.
For iPhone: Swipe down the Control Center, long-press the Focus button, and choose Do Not Disturb.
Again, you can customize the notifications of calls from your chosen contacts.
🎁Bonus Tip: Indian users can use Airtel and Jio's special services to enjoy Do Not Disturb mode, blocking unwanted calls and spam messages. To activate these services, just contact your provider.
2Airplane Mode
When you are mentally prepared to disconnect from all kinds of mobile services including messages, calls, or even social media notifications, you should turn on the flight mode. No space for any Second Thoughts!
From the moment you turn on the Flight mode till the moment you turn it off, all kinds of focus killers will be disabled, including:
Incoming Calls
Messages
Apps' notifications
Apps operating on the Internet won't work anymore unless you turn off the Flight Mode.
If you want to prioritize some calls, you won't be allowed to do so. All the notifications will be turned off entirely! URGENT calls won't be entertained either.
For Android:
Step 1: Just swipe down your mobile screen and an interface usually termed as the Notification Panel will be opened.
Step 2: Click on the Airplane Mode.
Step 3: You can see the plane icon at the top of your screen. To turn it off, just tap the icon.
For iPhone:
Step 1: Just open your Control Panel and you'll be able to see the Airplane Mode icon.
Step 2: Click on that icon.
Step 3: When you want to disable it, just tap on the icon again and you'll start receiving the notifications the same way.
3Set Up Call Forwarding
A top solution when you want to ignore the call but without blocking.
All the calls will be directed toward the number you've provided or automatically to the voicemail or will be forwarded to the entered number so that you can answer them when you're free.
If your telecom provider charges extra, get ready for some unwanted expenses.
This solution doesn't work in all regions. Check its availability for your area.
For Android:
Step 1: Tap on Settings.
Step 2: Click on Apps & Permissions.
Step 3: Click on System App Settings.
Step 4: Click on the Phone icon.
Step 5: Click on call forwarding. Add the number where you want your calls to be forwarded, and it will be turned on. Also chose the voicemail option.
For iPhone:
Step 1: Click on settings.
Step 2: Choose the phone option.
Step 3: Click on the Silene Unknown Callers.
Step 4: Turn it on and your calls will be sent to the voicemail.
4Silent Ringtone
No need to block or mute your mobile when you can silence some callers that you want to ignore.
No matter how many calls the chosen contacts make, the ringtone will be silenced, so that you can't be disturbed the moment you're trying to focus. Notification will be still there for you so that you can call them later whenever you're free.
You can't expect every call to be silenced. Only those that are selected will be silenced.
Not free for iPhone users. They'll have to go for the purchase option.
For Android:
Step 1: Click on the Contacts app.
Step 2: Select the contact who bothers you with unlimited calls.
Step 3: Click on the default ringtone and choose the silent option. There'll be 3 tones already, named; Rington, Default Ringtone, and Phone Ringtone. To select the Silent Ringtone, you have to first either download it or create it.
For iPhone:
Step 1: The iPhone has a dedicated app, Tone Store, for downloading ringtones. Download it if you don't have it on your phone already. Open it.
Step 2: Purchase a silent tone.
Step 3: Click on the Contacts App.
Step 4: Choose those contacts you want to avoid.
Step 5: Click on the edit option.
Step 6: Select the purchased silent ringtone. All set!
5Mute System Sound
No need to change your phone settings, when you can silence calls and all kinds of notifications with just a quick method. It's simple and can be changed anytime.
Your device will be fully muted, and during the mute system, you can't expect to hear any ringtone as a result of a call or a notification.
If you are using some kind of productivity app to notify you during the day, you might get bothered by the fact that you won't be notified anymore. Because a mute system simply means no more notifications.
For Android:
Step 1: Press and hold the volume key.
Step 2: Click on the sound icon and keep tapping it until you mute your device.
Step 3: Click on the 3 horizontal dots and customize it accordingly.
For iPhone:
Step 1: Press the volume keys to turn the sound low.
Step 2: Click on the Settings app.
Step 3: Tap the Sounds option.
Step 4: Turn on the silent mode.
Android-Specific Methods
1Block Calls from Unknown Numbers
If you don't want spam or any kind of unknown callers to disturb you, you better use the 'Block Calls from Unknown Numbers' option. Don't worry, your saved contacts can still call the same way they used to. And you'll definitely be notified with their calls.
Any person whose number isn't saved in your phone won't be able to call you. Unknown numbers will be blocked automatically.
If someone you know has to call you from another number due to an emergency, you won't be able to receive it. Also, even the important calls will be blocked i.e. calls from the delivery person, or anyone who's just calling you for a specific purpose.
Step 1: Click on Settings. Tap Apps & Permissions.
Step 2: Click on System App Setting.
Step 3: Tap the phone icon.
Step 4: Choose 'Block Harassing Calls'.
Step 5: Turn on 'Block unknown/null incoming call numbers.
2Turn On Call Barring
Instead of blocking, you can restrict unknown calls especially if they're from another country with a different code.
Calls that are from people who are not known to you will be restricted. Especially calls from other countries won't be encouraged.
You have to ask for a barring password from your telecom provider.
'The Turn on Call barring' feature is not available everywhere on all networks.
Step 1: Tap on Settings. Click Apps & Permissions.
Step 2: Select System App Setting.
Step 3: Choose the phone icon.
Step 4: Choose the 'Call Barring' option.
Step 5: Turn on 'Reject all incoming calls' or you can choose another option based on your preference.
4Set Up Call Screening
The most advanced method to stop incoming calls without blocking is to set up call screening. Spam calls will be ignored, all thanks to this call filtering method. There's no need to worry as all the important or authentic calls will be accepted and you'll be notified.
In this method, you'll find Google Assistant doing the main job. While ensuring complete automation, this assistant will screen your calls and will stop all spam calls from approaching you.
This solution to block incoming calls is only available in countries i.e. Japan, Canada, and advanced tech regions including the US.
You'll have to download the Google Phone App, only then you can expect the assistance to work.
Step 1: Click on your Phone App.
Step 2: Tap on the 3-Dot menu button, as you can see.
Step 3: Go to the settings app. I want you to choose the call screening option.
Step 4: Do the customization so that other important calls won't be missed.
iPhone-Specific Methods
1Focus Mode
Ideal for minimizing distractions while maintaining control over which calls and notifications are allowed.
No more distractions, Complete focus promised. All the calls and notifications will be controlled, only the important ones will be allowed.
You can customize all the calls and notifications that disturb you during main daily chores such as during work, sleep, or maybe during solitude time.
You have to do the customization manually because you might forget to turn off the focus mode from some apps while some calls or notifications will be under the focus mode. This usually creates confusion when you transition between modes.
Step 1: Open the Settings App.
Step 2: Click on Focus.
Step 3: Select the + and enter the reason why you want to enable the Focus Mode. You can enter Work, Sleep, or anything.
Step 4: You can do the customization to allow some important calls or notifications, while the others should be ignored.
Step 5: Go to the Control Center and click on Focus Mode. It will be enabled.
2Silence Unknown Callers
An ultimate other way to not block incoming calls and contacts, but avoid them fully. No Spam Calls will be allowed to intrude on your Me-Time.
If a number is unknown, it won't be allowed to make noise via ringing. It will be SILENCED. The criteria to check if the number is unknown or not is by analyzing your Contacts and your Recent Calls History.
If a known or maybe unknown person is calling from a non-saved contact, but the call is important, it'll still be ignored.
Step 1: Open the settings app.
Step 2: Select the phone option.
Step 3: Tap the Silene Unknown Callers.
Step 4: Turn it on to enable the feature.
Bonus: Protect Your Child from Call Harassment
While managing your own incoming calls is important, safeguarding your child from unwanted calls is equally crucial. AirDroid Parental Control offers an effective solution to help you protect your child from call harassment.
With this app, you can easily set up call blacklists and whitelists on your child's phone, allowing you to block unwanted numbers. You'll also receive real-time notifications of incoming and missed calls, keeping you informed at all times.
Additionally, AirDroid Parental Control lets you monitor whether your child attempts to call blocked numbers, providing you with reassurance and the opportunity to address any issues. By utilizing these features, you can ensure a safer and more secure phone experience for your child.
Set Call Blacklists and Whitelists
Sync Incoming and Missed Call Notifications
Monitor Blocked Call Attempts
Conclusion
Now that you have answers on how to stop incoming calls without blocking, it's time to put them into practice. Whether you want to spend less time on your screen by avoiding continuous notifications or you're just annoyed by unknown or known calls during your focus sessions, you should try the methods mentioned above.
Last HEARTLY advice:
Don't let your kids use mobile phones without any kind of restrictions. And if you think they get triggered by restrictions, then just start monitoring them via the AirDroid Parental Control app, only if you don't want them to have a bad digital experience.
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