How to turn on SMS spam filtering and check your spam folder on Android
Use Google Messages spam protection, block bad senders and check the Spam and blocked folder so fake KYC, loan and prize texts stay out of sight.
Fake KYC, electricity bill and prize messages come in daily. Google Messages and some phone brands have spam filters that move many of them to a separate folder. Turning the filter on and checking that folder helps. Menu names differ slightly on Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme and OnePlus phones.
Steps
- Open your messages app. Open Google Messages, or your phone's own messages app. Tap your profile picture or the three dots to reach Messages settings. Look for Spam protection or Block numbers and spam.
- Turn on Spam protection. Switch on Enable spam protection. Messages that look like spam are then moved to a Spam and blocked folder. Samsung and Xiaomi apps have similar options in their own settings, so search inside the app.
- Report and block a bad number. Open the message, tap the three dots, then Block and report spam or Block. Do not tap any link or reply, including STOP. Blocking may stop repeat messages from that sender.
- Check the Spam and blocked folder. Open the menu in the app and tap Spam and blocked. Look through it now and then for real messages that were caught by mistake, such as a bank alert, and mark them Not spam.
- Report to the authorities. You can report suspicious calls, SMS and WhatsApp numbers on the Sanchar Saathi portal, Chakshu facility. Do not call numbers in the message and do not click links in any text you did not expect.
Menu names differ a little between phone makers and Android versions. If you cannot find a setting, open Settings and use the search box.
Why it matters
Most smishing, the SMS version of phishing, relies on people tapping a link fast. A filter will not catch everything but it removes a lot of noise and gives scammers fewer chances. Checking the spam folder also helps you learn what fakes look like in India: fake KYC, courier OTP, FASTag and challan messages.
Watch out for
- Spam filters miss new tricks, so still verify any link.
- Messages from short codes can be real or fake, so check the sender header and content.
- Replying STOP confirms your number is active.
- A real bank alert never asks you to click a link to share a PIN.
How Safeavio helps
Safeavio's Scam check lets you paste or share an SMS and get a plain verdict with reasons such as urgency, money demands and fake authority. Link check looks at a link before you open it. It does not read your messages on its own, and it does not block messages.
Check it before you tap or pay
Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.
Download for AndroidWhat the app does
Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.
Questions
Can spam protection hide an important message?
Occasionally. Check the Spam and blocked folder from time to time and mark real messages as Not spam. Keep bank alerts in your main inbox.
Is DLT header a guarantee of a real message?
No. Registered senders can still be misused. Judge the message by what it asks. If it wants an OTP, PIN or a payment link, stop and check through the official app.