Suppress all incoming calls where number or identification is NOT on my contact list?

[AC Question]

Moderators: Is this the correct forum?

Please, and Thank you, where would I go to obtain an ap that (magically) inspects my contact list for every incoming call, and suppresses the ring and vibrate if the incoming call number is NOT in my contact list?

Hello, I am not new to computers, (or technical forums), but I am new to smart-phones and also to THEIR technical forums. All advice will be appreciated.

I purchased a Moto-X a month or so ago and am ready to begin customizing it.
I understand that I can download programs (“ap”s) to do really useful things.

My reasoning is as follows: I am only interested in telephone conversations with people who are prepared to share their telephone number with me.
If you are on my contact list, then you are known to me and I am willing to speak with you.
If you are not on my contact list, but are NOT prepared to leave me a voice-mail with your telephone number, then I am NOT willing to speak with you.
And if you have a fake phone number, or if your phone number is “Private Caller” or “Unknown” etc then you will not appear in my contact list, so again, until you are prepared to identify yourself with a voice-mail, I see no reason to speak with you.

This reasoning is identical to that of the most successful spam filter I have ever written which stipulated that any email with an “at” sign in it was spam unless
(1) The email address was on my contact list OR
(2) The subject line indicated that the email had been sent from my web site.

Again, thanks for any advice for a newbie in terms of MOTO-X and its associated technical forums.
Chris Greaves

 

[sirkenneth]

In the "Do not disturb" settings you can choose "priority only" which will only allow calls from folks on your contact list.

 

[belodion]

Also, try Phone, 3-dot menu top right, Call Settings, Call Reject, Reject All Calls From Private Numbers.

You may also want to join us as a member and engage in the Moto X forums.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?t=409154

 

[ChrisGreaves]

Thanks belodion.
I went looking for these settings but they do not appear on my Moto-X.

I see Phone: 3-dot: Settings {display options; sounds & vibrations; Quick responses; calls; accessibility}
Perhaps my Moto is a later version than yours, or the os has changed?
I have a feeling that the os platform changes frequently
Cheers
Chris

Also, try Phone, 3-dot menu top right, Call Settings, Call Reject, Reject All Calls From Private Numbers.

You may also want to join us as a member and engage in the Moto X forums.
Join the Android Central Community! - Android Forums at AndroidCentral.com

 

[ChrisGreaves]

sirkenneth, thank you for your response.
I managed to set things as you suggested:-
Settings: Sound and notification: Do not disturbriority only allows: Calls: From contacts only

However this (Friday) morning a number unknown to me crept through.

The specific number (e.g. 647-123-4567) is NOT on my contact list.
I had the phone plugged in and in sleep mode; it didn't ring, but it did vibrate noisily. The cller left a voice-mail, so all in all it is a great deal better than it used to be.
I think I'll go take a closer look at "vibrate" settings.

FWIW this is pretty close to what I want: If you are prepared to leave a voice-mail, I'll add you to my contact list and call you back. Until that time I refuse to recognize your existence.
It sounds isolationist, I know, but I am retired now and not terribly interested in new business, or in spending money (grin!)

Thanks again.
Chris

In the "Do not disturb" settings you can choose "priority only" which will only allow calls from folks on your contact list.

 

[ChrisGreaves]

... inspects my contact list for every incoming call, and suppresses the ring and vibrate if the incoming call number is NOT in my contact list? ...

A month later I report back that the native settings on my Moto-X-Play do not appear to work in the manner I prefer.

Moto X Play
Android 6.0.1
System version 24.61.52.lux.retca.retca.en.CA.bwaca
Build Number MPD24.107-52

I have downloaded an ap "Call Blocker" which appears to be doing the trick in the sense that:-
(1) calls from people on my Contacts list are getting through and
(2) after 48 hours, I have yet to see a rogue call getting through. (but let's give it another fortnight, eh?)

Block unwanted calls on your Android phone with Call Blocker - TechRepublic

Once again, my needs are a tad weird. I am retired and am no longer interested in responding to every Tom, Richard and Harry who wants to speak with me UNLESS they are prepared to leave a voice-mail with a telephone number or email address.
I think that this is no different from web pages that do not provide an email@address but insist that I fill out a form.

Thanks you all for all your help and interest
Chris Greaves

 

[belodion]

^ Unsolicited calls on my landline phone, despite being registered with the Caller Preference Service, rendered it next to useless as a phone for incoming calls, because the only way to deal with them was to switch off the ringer. What sort of service that was supposed to be, I don't know....and I was paying for it, and paying for a phone that I had keep switched off.
I no longer use a landline phone.
So far, I have not had that sort of trouble on mobile phones.