How to make unknown callers say why they’re calling

Your iPhone, Pixel or Galaxy can screen mystery calls before you answer

You know the feeling. Your phone rings, you glance at the screen and the number is unfamiliar. Then you have to decide whether to pick up or let it go to voicemail. That choice gets even trickier when you are expecting a call from a doctor, repair person or someone else who may not be in your contacts.

Fortunately, your phone can help identify who is calling before you get involved. On iPhone, Call Screening can ask an unknown caller for their name and the reason for the call. Google Pixel phones offer their own Call Screen feature, and compatible Samsung Galaxy phones also include AI-powered call screening. Here is how each one works on the latest software.

Call screening features can help you decide whether an unknown caller deserves your attention before you answer.

How to screen unknown callers on iPhone

Apple's Call Screening feature can automatically answer calls from unknown numbers without interrupting you. The caller is prompted to say their name and explain why they are calling. After that, your iPhone rings and shows you what they said, giving you more context before you decide whether to answer.

How to turn on Call Screening on iPhone

• Open Settings
• Scroll down and tap Apps
• Tap Phone
• Scroll to Screen Unknown Callers
• Select Ask Reason for Calling

After you turn it on, calls from unknown numbers are asked for more information before your iPhone rings. Apple also offers two other options in the same section. Never turns Call Screening off completely. Silence sends calls from unsaved numbers straight to voicemail and keeps them in your Recents list. For many people, Ask Reason for Calling provides a useful middle ground. You can still hear from someone important without answering every unfamiliar number right away.

You can filter suspected spam calls too

While you are in the Phone settings, you can also review Apple's call filtering options. Go to Settings → Apps → Phone, then scroll to the call filtering section. Turning on Spam lets your carrier identify potential spam or fraud calls. Those calls can then be silenced, sent to voicemail and moved into the Spam list. You can also turn on Unknown Callers. That moves calls from unknown numbers out of your main Recents list and into a separate Unknown Callers list.

How Samsung Galaxy screens unknown calls

Samsung has also added call screening to compatible Galaxy phones. The company says the feature is available on supported Galaxy phones running One UI 8.5 or later, though availability can still vary by model, carrier and region. Galaxy Call screening can answer the caller and ask why they are calling, then show the response as a live transcription.

How to turn on Call screening on Samsung Galaxy

• Open the Phone app
• Tap the three vertical dots
• Tap Settings
• Tap Call screening
• Turn on Call screening
• Turn on Auto screen calls if you want unknown calls screened automatically

Samsung also lets you choose a transcription language and adjust the assistant's voice. If you prefer to screen calls manually, you can do that as well. When an incoming call appears, tap Call assist, then tap Call screening. The AI assistant answers for you and asks the caller to state the purpose of the call. Their response then appears as text on your screen. If you do not see Call screening, check for the latest Galaxy software update and make sure the Samsung Phone app is current. Some Galaxy models may not support the feature.

How to screen unknown calls on a Google Pixel

Google Pixel phones use a slightly different approach with Call Screen. The feature can answer certain calls for you and ask the caller why they are calling. Depending on your Pixel and settings, Google can also screen some calls automatically.

How to turn on Call Screen on Pixel

• Open the Phone app
• Tap the three dots
• Tap Settings
• Tap Spam and Call Screen or Call Screen
• Tap Call Screen
• Turn on Automatic Call Screen
• Choose your preferred protection level

On newer Pixel phones, you may see Maximum protection, Medium protection and Basic protection. Medium protection is Google's recommended setting and screens suspicious calls while declining known spam. Maximum protection screens unknown numbers more aggressively, while Basic protection mainly declines known spam. You can also screen a call manually. When an unfamiliar number comes in, tap Screen call. Call Assist will ask who is calling and why while you watch the response appear as a live transcript. From there, you can answer the call, hang up or use one of the suggested responses.

Why screening can be better than automatically silencing every unknown caller

Sending every unfamiliar number straight to voicemail can reduce interruptions, but it can also send legitimate callers there too. Maybe you are waiting for a medical office to call from a number you have never seen. Perhaps a service technician needs to reach you from a work phone. Call screening gives that person a chance to explain why they are trying to reach you, and you can decide whether to answer.

There is also a security benefit. Scam callers often rely on getting someone on the line quickly. Screening adds another step between the caller and you. Still, do not assume someone is legitimate simply because they answered the screening question. Scammers can still lie about who they are, and caller ID can be spoofed.

Do not let a convincing answer lower your guard

Call screening gives you information. It does not verify identity. If a caller claims to represent your bank or another company and suddenly asks for money or login information, end the call. The same advice applies if someone asks for a one-time security code. Instead, contact the organization yourself through its official app or website. For financial accounts, you can also use the phone number printed on your card or statement. This is especially important because phone scams continue to get more convincing. Scammers can spoof familiar numbers and create urgency to push you into acting quickly.

Kurt's key takeaways

I like the idea of making an unknown caller explain themselves before they get my attention. iPhone owners can use Call Screening to have unfamiliar callers provide a name and reason before the phone rings. Pixel owners can use Google’s Call Screen, while compatible Galaxy phones offer their own call screening feature. For me, screening makes more sense than automatically silencing every unfamiliar number. There are plenty of legitimate reasons someone outside your contacts may need to reach you. Still, treat the screening response as information rather than proof. If the conversation turns to passwords, money or account access, hang up and contact the company yourself.

Would you rather have your phone screen every unknown caller first, or do you still prefer sending unfamiliar numbers straight to voicemail? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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