How to block text spam on Android

The fastest way to improve text-spam protection is to make Block Guard your default SMS app, turn on text blocking, add the right sender or keyword rules, and use the built-in phishing warnings before you tap a bad link.

Install from Google Play See how it works

Text spam is usually trying to get you to click, call, pay, or share. Block Guard now handles text spam through both rule-based filtering and link-safety checks inside the messaging workflow.

Step 1: Make Block Guard your default SMS app

Android only allows one default SMS app to fully send, receive, and filter SMS and MMS. Without that role, Block Guard cannot run the full messaging and text-blocking stack.

Step 2: Turn on text blocking

  • Open Text Message Blocking.
  • Enable the master toggle.
  • Use the three tabs for blocked senders, blocked keywords, and blocked message log.

Step 3: Add sender and keyword rules

  • Add exact blocked senders for repeat offenders.
  • Add regex sender rules when spam rotates through one number pattern.
  • Add keywords or regex keyword rules for repeated bait like fake delivery notices, loan spam, or prize scams.
  • Whitelist trusted senders when a real conversation should bypass aggressive rules.

Step 4: Watch for dangerous links

  • Block Guard warns on known phishing domains.
  • It can also warn on suspicious shortened links, payment lures, credential harvesting language, and urgent-action wording around a link.
  • If a warning appears, do not trust the message just because the sender looks familiar.

For a feature overview, read SMS spam blocker for Android. For settings and Help Center topics, read Help Tools and setup.

Localized spam examples

  • “USPS: Your package is waiting. Pay a $2.99 redelivery fee now: us-track-help.com” Small delivery fees and rushed links are a common parcel scam pattern.
  • “Bank alert: unusual login detected. Confirm your card now at secure-verify-login.com” Fake banking warnings try to push you into a credential page.

Common questions

How can I tell whether a delivery text is fake?

Check whether it asks for urgent payment, uses a shortened or strange domain, or avoids the official app or website of the carrier.

Should I block the number or the keyword first?

Block the sender when the same number keeps returning. Use keywords when the spam changes numbers but repeats the same bait.

What if I already tapped the link?

Close the page, do not sign in or pay, and change any password you entered. If banking details were involved, contact your bank right away.

Quick links: SMS Spam Blocker · Help Tools · Block Scam Calls · Full Features