How to Set Up Call Blocking in Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android

Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android can block or warn you about suspected scam and spam calls and can block calls from hidden numbers. You can choose whether detected calls are blocked automatically or whether you receive a warning before answering, and you can control which types of calls Bitdefender detects. Follow the steps below to turn on Call Blocking, grant required permissions and customize your call filtering preferences.

Turn on Call Blocking

  1. Open Bitdefender Mobile Security on your Android device.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • On the main dashboard, find the Call Blocking card and tap Set up.
    • Or tap ∴ in the bottom right menu, then select Call Blocking.
  3. On the Call Blocking screen, tap Allow to initiate the setup.

The Call Blocking feature in the bottom navigation menu           Call Blocking permissions - Allow

 

Grant Required Permissions

Call Blocking requires a few Android permissions to block unwanted calls:

 

Call History Access

Enables Bitdefender to scan your recent call logs to identify suspicious or scam numbers.

  • When prompted to allow access to your call logs, tap Allow.

Allow Bitdefender Call Blocking access to call history           Allow

 

Phone Call Management

Required to automatically block scam and spam calls in real time.

  • On the Allow access to manage phone calls screen, tap Allow.

Allow Bitdefender Call Blocking to manage phone calls.         Allow Bitdefender Security to make and manage phone calls

 

Default Caller ID & Spam App

Set Bitdefender as your default app for caller ID and spam detection.

  • In the Android Default caller ID & spam app prompt, select Bitdefender Security, then tap Set as default.

Set Bitdefender Security as your default Caller ID           Bitdefender Security > Set as default

Call Blocking is now on and operates silently in the background. For details, see What Happens When a Call is Blocked?

 

Allow calls from your contacts

Optionally, to help prevent calls from saved contacts from being blocked, tap Allow on the Call Blocking screen and approve the Android permission.

To never block your contacts, allow access to your contacts list.           Allow acces to your contacts to avoid blocking phone calls from friends and family

 

Configure Call Blocking

Open ∴ then tap Call Blocking from the bottom navigation bar whenever you want to change its settings.

  • Turn off/on: Tap Turn off or Turn on at the top of the screen to disable or enable the Call Blocking feature.
  • Detected calls settings: Choose how Bitdefender handles detected scam and spam calls. Tap Detected calls settings, then select one of these options:
    • Alert Mode: Calls ring as usual, with an on-screen warning before you answer.
    • Automatic blocking: Suspected spam and scam calls do not ring your phone.

In Detected calls settings, turn the following options on or off as needed:

    • Scam calls: Detects calls reported as fraud.
    • Spam calls: Detects robocalls, telemarketing calls, and other unwanted phone calls.
    • Suspicious calls: Shows a warning for calls from numbers you do not know.
  • Block list: Add numbers that you always want to block. The number beside this option shows how many entries are on the list. You can add a number from recent calls, contacts, country code or by entering a phone number. For details, see How to Block Calls from Specific Countries or Individual Phone Numbers
  • Hidden numbers: Turn this option on to block calls from private or hidden numbers.

Call Blocking default settings           Detected calls settings