What is a Restricted Call on Android? A Guide For the Curious

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Have you ever received a phone call from a mysterious number that shows up as “Restricted” on your caller ID?

If you have, you might be wondering what it means and who is behind it.

Is it a prankster, a scammer, or someone you know who doesn’t want to reveal their identity?

And more importantly, how can you block these annoying calls on your Android phone?

In this article, we will answer these questions and more.

We will explain what a restricted call is, why people use it, how to identify it, and what steps you can take to deal with it effectively.

Whether you receive these restricted calls frequently or happen to come across one for the first time, understanding how to handle them will empower you to take control of your communication and protect yourself from potentially unwanted or malicious contacts.

So, let’s dive in and explore the world of restricted calls on Android, providing you with the knowledge and tools to navigate through this challenge.

What is a Restricted Call on Android?

A restricted call is a phone call where the caller intentionally hides their phone number, preventing it from being displayed on the recipient’s caller ID.

Instead of showing a specific phone number, the caller ID simply displays “Restricted,” “Private Number,” or something similar.

There are several methods that callers can use to make their calls restricted.

They may dial a special code before making the call, use a feature provided by their phone carrier, or utilize third-party applications or services that mask their phone number.

The purpose of making a call restricted can vary from person to person.

Some individuals may choose to withhold their number for genuine privacy concerns.

For example, doctors and healthcare professionals might hide their numbers to protect patient confidentiality.

On the other hand, telemarketers or scammers may intentionally hide their numbers to increase the likelihood of their calls being answered.

One important thing to note is that a restricted call does not necessarily indicate malicious intent.

There may be legitimate reasons, such as sensitive business matters or personal security, for someone to keep their phone number hidden.

Nonetheless, it’s crucial to remain cautious and aware of potential risks that can come with unidentified callers.

It’s worth mentioning that some calls may appear restricted due to technical issues or network limitations.

In such cases, the caller may not intentionally hide their number, but it may not be transmitted correctly to the recipient’s caller ID system.

Why Do People Use Restricted Calls?

As we mentioned earlier, there are various reasons why people may use restricted calls.

Some of them are:

• Privacy: Some people may value their privacy and prefer not to share their personal information with strangers or acquaintances. They may also want to avoid unwanted callbacks or harassment from people who have access to their phone numbers.
• Security: Some people may have security concerns and want to protect themselves from potential threats or stalking. They may also want to avoid revealing their location or identity to people who may pose a risk to them or their loved ones.
• Business: Some people may have business-related reasons for hiding their phone number. They may want to keep their professional and personal lives separate, or they may want to avoid disclosing sensitive information or trade secrets to competitors or adversaries.
• Marketing: Some people may use restricted calls for marketing purposes. They may want to increase the chances of getting a response from potential customers or clients who may otherwise ignore or reject their calls if they see an unfamiliar number.
• Fraud: Some people may use restricted calls for fraudulent purposes. They may want to trick or deceive people into giving them money, personal information, or access to their accounts. They may also want to avoid being traced or reported by law enforcement or regulatory agencies.

How to Identify Restricted Calls?

If you receive a call from a restricted number, you will see one of the following messages on your caller ID:

• Restricted
• Private Number
• Unknown
• No Caller ID
• Blocked

These messages indicate that the caller has chosen to hide their phone number from you.

However, they do not necessarily mean that the caller is trying to scam you or harm you in any way.

As we discussed earlier, there may be valid reasons for someone to make a restricted call.

However, if you receive frequent or repeated calls from restricted numbers, especially at odd hours or with suspicious content, you should be wary and alert.

These calls may be signs of harassment, fraud, or other malicious activities.

How to Block Restricted Calls on Android?

If you are annoyed or bothered by restricted calls on your Android phone, you have several options to block them.

Here are some of the most common methods:

Block Unknown Numbers on Google Phone App

If you have a Google-made Android smartphone (such as Pixel) or if you have the Google Phone app downloaded on your phone (available on Google Play Store), blocking incoming restricted calls is simple.

Here’s how:

• On your Home Screen, tap the phone icon to open the “Phone” app.
• Next, to access the phone settings, tap the three dots on the top-right corner of the screen.
• Then, tap on Settings.
• Choose Blocked Numbers.
• Activate “Unknown” to block restricted numbers from appearing on your smartphone.

Block Restricted Numbers on Samsung Phone App

If you have a Samsung-made Android smartphone, blocking restricted calls is also easy.

Here’s how:

• On your Home Screen, tap the phone icon to open the “Phone” app.
• Next, to access the phone settings, tap the three dots on the top-right corner of the screen.
• Then, tap on Settings.
• Choose Block Numbers.
• Activate “Block Unknown Callers” to block restricted numbers from appearing on your smartphone.

Use Third-Party Apps

If you don’t have the Google Phone app or the Samsung Phone app on your Android phone, or if you want more features and options to block restricted calls, you can use third-party apps that are designed for this purpose.

There are many apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you block unwanted calls, such as:

• Truecaller: This app identifies and blocks spam calls, telemarketing calls, robocalls, and other unwanted calls. It also has a large database of phone numbers that can help you identify who is calling you and why.
• Call Control: This app blocks spam calls, robocalls, and other unwanted calls using a community-based blacklist. It also has a personal blacklist that allows you to block any number you want.
• Hiya: This app blocks spam calls, robocalls, fraud calls, and other unwanted calls using a smart algorithm that analyzes millions of phone numbers. It also has a caller ID feature that shows you the name and location of the caller.

These are just some examples of third-party apps that can help you block restricted calls on your Android phone.

You can explore other apps on the Google Play Store and find the one that suits your needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Restricted calls are phone calls where the caller hides their phone number from the recipient’s caller ID.

There are various reasons why people may use restricted calls, such as privacy, security, business, marketing, or fraud.

However, not all restricted calls are malicious or harmful. Some may be legitimate or harmless.

If you receive a restricted call on your Android phone, you can choose whether to answer it or not.

However, if you are annoyed or bothered by these calls, you can block them using different methods.

You can use the built-in features of your phone app (such as Google Phone app or Samsung Phone app), or you can use third-party apps (such as Truecaller, Call Control, or Hiya) that offer more features and options to block unwanted calls.