Can Pixel 2 XL only accept calls from numbers already in contacts like my iPhone used to do?

[mamamaglee]

I just upgraded from iPhone to Android after using Apple computer and products for over 20 years. I like my new Pixel 2 XL, but can't figure out how to ONLY accept calls from contact. This morning a spam caller woke me. My last iPhone would not even let that call go ring. How can I only make my phone ring for contact numbers, therefore never having to hear a ring from a spam or unknown caller? Thank you for this tip, and all the others on this page.

 

[idiotekniques]

re:

I just upgraded from iPhone to Android after using Apple computer and products for over 20 years. I like my new Pixel 2 XL, but can't figure out how to ONLY accept calls from contact. This morning a spam caller woke me. My last iPhone would not even let that call go ring. How can I only make my phone ring for contact numbers, therefore never having to hear a ring from a spam or unknown caller? Thank you for this tip, and all the others on this page.

Use a good free app like hiya

 

[KWKSLVR]

re:

Go to settings ---> sound ---> Do Not Disturb preferences. Tap Calls and select "From Contacts only". If you want to take it a step farther you can "star" contacts in the Contacts App and select to only hear the rings from those starred contacts.

To activate Do Not Disturb Mode, just hold volume down until you hit Vibrate only, then release and hit volume down one more time, or you can select a timeframe when it will automatically turn on and off from Do Not Disturb preferences.

 

[mcelmeel17]

re:

Use the built in priority calling feature found under the "do not disturb" setting. Don't download a crappy third party app like was suggested

 

[idiotekniques]

re:

Use the built in priority calling feature found under the "do not disturb" setting. Don't download a crappy third party app like was suggested

I've used Hiya for 5 months now after being very skeptical of it. It's very good at intercepting spam calls and has arguably the biggest database among all the players in that field.

Try not to speak about things of which you have obtained nary a clue

 

[paradroid]

re:

But what if someone needs to talk to you that is not in your contacts yet?

 

[Jeremy8000]

re:

I've used Hiya for 5 months now after being very skeptical of it. It's very good at intercepting spam calls and has arguably the biggest database among all the players in that field.

Try not to speak about things of which you have obtained nary a clue

Whenever you have a 'free' app that doesn't offer IAP to help fund its development/upkeep, it's understandable that people will question it. I used it in the past when it went by another name, but dropped it when it began 'charging' me access to too much of my information. Pretty long laundry list of permissions required, many of them irrelevant to its ability to do what it does (and does well).

This app has access to:
Identity
find accounts on the device
read your own contact card
Contacts
find accounts on the device
read your contacts
modify your contacts
Location
precise location (GPS and network-based)
SMS
read your text messages (SMS or MMS)
receive text messages (MMS)
receive text messages (SMS)
send SMS messages
edit your text messages (SMS or MMS)
Phone
directly call phone numbers
modify phone state
reroute outgoing calls
read call log
read phone status and identity
write call log
Photos/Media/Files
read the contents of your USB storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Storage
read the contents of your USB storage
modify or delete the contents of your USB storage
Wi-Fi connection information
view Wi-Fi connections
Device ID & call information
read phone status and identity
Other
read your social stream
receive data from Internet
view network connections
connect and disconnect from Wi-Fi
disable your screen lock
full network access
run at startup
draw over other apps
prevent device from sleeping
read Google service configuration

For the OP's stated purposes, the DND configuration will do the job flawlessly. Hiya can expand on its scope, if one is willing to trust their access on the additional data.

 

[Jeremy8000]

re:

But what if someone needs to talk to you that is not in your contacts yet?

DND allows you to set it to ring only for (a) all contacts or (b) only 'starred' contacts. In either of those settings, the phone will still be reachable, but will not ring, should someone not included as such call you. It can also be set for a schedule, so if you, for example, only want certain friends and family on your contact list to be able to reach you late night, you could configure it that way.

Not sure how this would work for other smartwatches, but I know that with my Huawei Watch (1st gen) it still vibrates even when the phone auto-silences the incoming call, which I consider a plus.

 

[paradroid]

re:

DND allows you to set it to ring only for (a) all contacts or (b) only 'starred' contacts. In either of those settings, the phone will still be reachable, but will not ring, should someone not included as such call you. It can also be set for a schedule, so if you, for example, only want certain friends and family on your contact list to be able to reach you late night, you could configure it that way.

Not sure how this would work for other smartwatches, but I know that with my Huawei Watch (1st gen) it still vibrates even when the phone auto-silences the incoming call, which I consider a plus.

So say I am getting bids from guys to landscape my yard. I have 5 of them come by while I am at work. How do they call me with estimates? Do I need to put all for in my contact list?

 

[Mike Dee]

re:

I manually ignore calls on occasion from numbers not on my contacts list and sometimes they are important calls. They do go to voicemail and I can return the calls but sometimes to get back to a particular person at a large company or at a medical office it is a royal pain. Ultimately I just don't answer 800 number or blocked calls. I don't get enough of them that it matters. I can always hang up on unwanted callers

 

[Almeuit]

re:

I let all calls come through. Most unknown numbers I decline or ignore and let them go to Voicemail. If it is important... they will leave one. If not -- oh well .

 

[Jeremy8000]

re:

So say I am getting bids from guys to landscape my yard. I have 5 of them come by while I am at work. How do they call me with estimates? Do I need to put all for in my contact list?

If your DND is on and configured to Contacts Only, then their calls will still come through and be answerable, but the phone will not ring or vibrate to alert you of the call. If you want to ensure your phone rings for people who aren't in your contact list, just don't use the DND mode (or at least, don't use it at such times as you want to be 100% reachable).

 

[abduz]

What if I want it to disconnect/reject the call for the caller.. but receive a missed call notification? This iz how it is on Windows Mobile and iPhone.. i just moved to Android and it's the one feature I REALLY miss.. is there any way to achieve this?

Ive setup my DnD and chosen priority... but when ppl who arent on my Favorite/Breakthrough list call, they dont disconnect, it simply mutes it on my end.

Please tell me there is a way to activate this.. even if it's through an app