How to Activate DND (Do Not Disturb): The Complete Guide to Blocking Spam Calls (February 2025)

• Blocking spam calls is crucial to avoid interruptions and potential scams.
• Activating DND through national registry or telecom operators can help manage spam.
• Manually blocking and filtering unknown calls on Android phones is also effective.

Spam calls are always an annoyance. Marketing and promotional calls often interrupt daily activities and sometimes even lead to scams. These unwanted calls can come from telemarketers, robocallers, or scammers. Ignoring them isn’t always feasible, and keeping your phone on silent for extended periods isn’t practical, as you might miss important calls. So, what can you do?

Fortunately, there are several methods to block these spam calls effectively. From registering with the national Do Not Call registry to using features provided by your telecom operator, you have multiple options. Let’s check how you can take control of your phone and block those unwanted calls.

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How to Activate DND (Do Not Disturb)

One of the most straightforward ways to block spam calls is by registering your number with the National Customer Preference Register (NCPR), formerly known as the National Do Not Call Registry (NDNC). This service allows users to opt-out of receiving telemarketing calls.

To activate the DND service:

• Open your SMS app and type “START” and send it to 1909.
• You will receive a list of categories, such as Banking, Hospitality, etc., each with a unique code.
• Respond with the code corresponding to the category of calls you wish to block.
• After processing, you will receive a confirmation message, and the DND service will be active within 24 hours.

This service effectively blocks unsolicited commercial calls from third parties without affecting essential alerts from banks or service providers.

Activate DND Service by Telecom Operators

You can also activate DND services directly through your telecom provider:

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How to Activate DND in Jio

• Go to the MyJio app (Android | iOS) > Settings > Service settings > Do not disturb.
• Select the categories you want to block.

How to Activate DND in Airtel

• Visit official website airtel.in/airtel-dnd.
• Enter your mobile number and OTP, then select the categories you want to block.

How to Activate DND in Vi (Vodafone Idea)

• Visit discover myvi.in/dnd
• Enter your details and choose the categories to block.

How to Activate DND in BSNL

• Send “start dnd” to 1909 from your BSNL number.
• Select the categories you want to block.

How to Manually Block Spam Calls (Android)

You can also manually block individual numbers on your Android phone:

• Open the Phone app and go to the call history.
• Tap and hold the spam contact, then select “Block” or “Report.”

This method is useful but can be limited, as spam callers frequently change numbers.

Filter Unknown Calls

Android devices also offer a feature to filter unknown or suspected spam calls automatically:

• Open the Phone app.
• Tap the three dots (menu) icon and go to Settings.
• Select “Caller ID & Spam” and toggle on “Filter spam calls” and “See caller & spam ID.”

This feature helps silence calls from numbers not in your contacts, reducing interruptions from potential spam.

Using Truecaller to Block Spam Calls

Truecaller is a popular app that helps identify and block spam calls. It has a vast database of known spam numbers and can automatically filter these calls for you. Here’s how to use Truecaller:

• Download and install Truecaller from the Google Play Store.
• Open the app and follow the setup instructions.
• Allow Truecaller to access your contacts and call history.
• Go to Settings > Caller ID > Enable “Block spam calls.”

Truecaller will then identify incoming spam calls and block them automatically, ensuring you only receive calls from trusted contacts.

Conclusion

Blocking spam calls is essential to maintaining your peace and privacy. Whether you choose to register with the national Do Not Call registry, use telecom operator services, manually block numbers, or filter unknown calls, there are multiple ways to keep those annoying calls at bay. By following these steps, you can enjoy a quieter phone experience.