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Google Pixel 3 – How to Block and Filter Incoming Calls

The Google Pixel 3 offers several ways to block and filter incoming calls to reduce interruptions from unwanted callers. Here is a guide on the various options available and how to set them up.

Use Call Screening

One of the best features on Pixel phones is the Call Screen option. When enabled, it will screen calls from unknown numbers and ask the caller to state their name and reason for calling.

How to Enable Call Screening

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the 3-dot menu in the top right and select Settings
  3. Go to Spam and Call Screen > Call Screen
  4. Toggle on “See caller and spam ID”

You can customize call screening to automatically screen calls from certain types of numbers:

  • Spam numbers
  • Private numbers
  • Unknown numbers

Call Screen will intercept these calls, ask for caller details, and provide you a transcript. You can then choose to accept, decline or report the call as spam.

Block Calls Using Contact List

You can set your Pixel to automatically decline any calls not in your contacts list.

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap the 3-dot icon and go to Settings
  3. Select Blocked Numbers
  4. Toggle on “Block calls from unidentified callers”

This will send all calls not in your contacts directly to voicemail. You can disable this option at any time.

Block Specific Phone Numbers

To block calls and texts from a specific number:

  1. Open the Phone app
  2. Tap Recents and select the number
  3. Tap Block/Report Spam
  4. Confirm the number and tap Block

The number will now be blocked from calling or texting you.

Use Do Not Disturb

The Do Not Disturb mode on Pixel phones allows you to silence notifications and calls during certain times.

To enable it:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Sound > Do Not Disturb
  3. Toggle “Turn on now”

You can customize Do Not Disturb to:

  • Set schedules when it turns on automatically
  • Allow calls and notifications from certain contacts
  • Silence all calls and notifications

Try Call Blocking Apps

There are many call blocking apps on the Play Store, like Truecaller and Hiya, that maintain databases of known spam numbers.

These apps can:

  • Automatically block and flag spam calls
  • Show caller ID for unknown numbers
  • Reverse lookup unknown numbers

Contact Your Carrier

Most carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile offer call blocking services and apps for customers. Check with your carrier to see if any spam call blocking tools are available specifically for your plan.

Conclusion

The Google Pixel 3 provides customizable options to block, filter and silence unwanted calls. Using a combination of built-in OS features, third party apps and carrier services, you can effectively reduce call interruptions from spammers or unwanted numbers.

The key options covered in this guide include:

  • Call Screening
  • Blocking calls not in your contacts
  • Blocking specific numbers
  • Using Do Not Disturb mode
  • Call blocking apps
  • Carrier call blocking services

Set up these features based on your preferences and requirements to take control over incoming calls on your Google Pixel 3 smartphone.

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