You can just select "Block unknown callers": http://i.thinimg.com/img/75sy.jpg
Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
51–60 of 332 posts
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#52I use a Chinese Android phone called OPPO R17 Pro, and I have exactly this feature built into the stock-rom (ColorOS) and a bunch of other really cool once, such as block foreign numbers, numbers not in my contact list, numbers not on my VIP-list, service numbers etc.
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#53But you can!
Mostly in Android though. I can confirm MIUI - the stock rom on Xiaomi phones - have this exact feature built in.
You can block all hidden numbers, all numbers not in your address book, specific numbers, etc.
Or one can use Tasker - an Android automation app to achieve the same functionality and more in any Android phone. I suppose these days, you can use Iphone's scripting functionality as well for the same, can't you?
Privacy concerns regarding MIUI /Android can be handled by installing a firewall like Netguard.
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#54Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#55What if it was a legitimate emergency? Like if someone used your number as an emergency contact. Or some hospital in the world trying to contact you because someone you know got hospitalized (touch wood).
This is a good reason for the telcos to actually fix their shit instead of slapping this bandaid on it. But until then people are just going to manually ignore calls from unknown numbers assuming they're spam calls and the result will be the same.
In this case, maybe sending the calls to voicemail instead of outright blocking them will work. AFAIK robocallers disconnect when encountering voicemail, whereas in a real emergency they'd leave a message to call back.
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#56What if it was a legitimate emergency? Like if someone used your number as an emergency contact. Or some hospital in the world trying to contact you because someone you know got hospitalized (touch wood).
That's absolutely an issue for some people but not for everyone.
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#57What if it was a legitimate emergency? Like if someone used your number as an emergency contact. Or some hospital in the world trying to contact you because someone you know got hospitalized (touch wood).
What happened 40 years ago when home phones were the only way to contact somebody?
I'm not trying to say it's not an issue, but the mentality that you need to be connected and accessible at all times is a relatively new phenomenon. If you are in a caretaker role than sure, but if my best friend is sick in hospital and I miss it because I'm out hiking or have turned my phone off, that's just life. People are not supposed to be 24/7 contactable in my view.
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#58I got a “new” number when I moved to Canada. The ONLY calls I receive (about 2 per week) are robo call spam / scams. The messages repeat once in English and then in mandarin. (It’s a Vancouver number.. only logic I can see). Most of the time they go straight to voicemail and leave the same message. All my real friends FaceTime, signal, iMessage, etc. It bewilders me that telcos haven’t done anything about this. It’s…
The Mandarin spam is not specific to Vancouver numbers. I live in Toronto and receive daily calls.
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#59What if it was a legitimate emergency? Like if someone used your number as an emergency contact. Or some hospital in the world trying to contact you because someone you know got hospitalized (touch wood).
What happened 40 years ago when home phones were the only way to contact somebody? I'm not trying to say it's not an issue, but the mentality that you need to be connected and accessible at all times is a relatively new phenomenon. If you are in a caretaker role than sure, but if my best friend is sick in hospital and I miss it because I'm out hiking or have turned my phone off, that's just life. People are not suppo…
In those days, you would answer the phone when it rang because most calls were legitimate contact attempts. Then telemarketing came, but it was kept somewhat in check by the need to have a human make the call. Spam robocallers are a very recent phenomenon; but they've made it so that the overwhelming majority of unknown-number calls people get are spam.
Re: Ask HN: Why can’t I block all incoming calls that aren’t in my contact list?
#60Earlier quoted context omitted.
I want to do this, but only for calls. All other notifications should happen normally. It annoys me that iOS doesn't support that though, it's all or nothing.
Custom ringtone that is silent and individual ring tones for the select few contacts?
Wonder if you could do a no vibration pattern also, I haven't turn my ring tone on in like 10 years.