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Tom's Guide
9 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
How to tell if your number's been blocked — 5 tell-tale signs Android users need to know
As an Android user, you might wonder if someone has blocked your number — especially if your calls suddenly go unanswered or texts seem to vanish into thin air. There are many reasons why some people may reach for the block button. In some cases, it's a temporary escape. In others, it's more permanent. Some may want to exert greater control over a relationship or avoid negative interactions. Others are looking to cut real-world ties. Whatever the reason, it's important to respect a person's decision to block — but that doesn't make it hurt any less. Studies have shown it can lead to feelings of rejection, confusion, or anger. But first, you'll want to determine whether you've actually been blocked, especially if you're using an Android phone, where some signs can be subtle. Here we look at five tell-tale signs that someone doesn't want to interact with you — plus a few reasons why those signs might be misleading. If you've not heard from someone in a while, it may be a good idea to give them a call. Chances are it'll ring, you'll chat and everything will be ok. But if it rings once and then goes straight to voicemail, it's a good indication that your number has been blocked by the recipient. Numbers can be easily blocked on Android: it only requires a user to tap the Phone app, tap the More menu (the three-dot icon in the top-right corner of the screen), tap Settings then select Block numbers. From there, it is possible to tap Recents or Contacts to choose a number to block or manually enter a number and tap the + sign. To be sure you have been blocked, it may be worth trying again later or on another day just in case the recipient simply had their phone turned off or had been suffering a poor signal. Before you give this one a go, it could be worth asking a friend or family member if they've been able to get through to the recipient — provided, of course, they are mutual friends. If that isn't an option, then you could try calling the contact yourself using a different phone number or device. Should that call not go straight to voicemail, you can decide whether to allow it to keep ringing until the recipient answers or just hang up. Can't access a different number? You can hide your own instead. To do so, add *67 before the phone number you are calling. Again, if it rings, you will know your number is blocked. If you have sent a few texts but you've yet to receive a reply, be patient. The person may yet respond and, as before, a lack of response could be due to them not having their phone turned on. They may even be busy! There are, however, some telltale signs that you may not get a response. Time is one — if you're waiting an extraordinary amount of time to hear back, you may have been blocked (to block in Google Messages on Android, a user has to touch and hold a conversation, then tap Block). Many messaging apps have read receipts. You will see them in WhatsApp, Signal, Google Messages and more. In the case of the latter, read receipts will depend on whether the recipient is allowing use of Rich Communication Services (RCS). In any case, take a look at your sent messages. In general, you will see a checkmark or two beneath a sent message, showing it's been successfully sent. If the checkmark is colored, it tends to indicate the message has been read. If you have either of these, you haven't been blocked. But what if you don't see any checkmarks appear? Well, the recipient either has read receipts turned off, doesn't have RCS, or has blocked you. No, this isn't a tit-for-tat move, but if you have an Android phone you can go into the Contacts app, look for the person you suspect is blocking you, make a note of their contact details, select the More menu and select Delete to remove. You can then go to the main Contacts screen, tap + and search for their name or number. If someone has blocked your number, you won't see them as a suggested contact. It's a neat little trick to try. Chances are that if someone has blocked your number, they've also sought to block you from contacting them in other ways. If you were connected on social media, you should go through your various social media accounts to see what the situation is. Some social media services such as X will tell you outright that you've been blocked, but others are more subtle. You may not be able to find someone's profile when searching, or you may be told you can't follow them due to their privacy settings. Sometimes, profile images are missing and online statuses are absent. Any of the above is a strong indicator that you've been blocked. So, now you know how to tell if someone's blocked you on Android. Just remember that if someone has blocked you, it's their choice. It's also a function that you may need to use as well. To that end, it's worth knowing how to block emails in Gmail, how to block a number on your iPhone and if you want some temporary peace, here's how to block all calls on Android. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Digital Trends
a day ago
- Business
- Digital Trends
I know iOS is great for security, but it's fallen behind Android in one key area
In the smartphone industry, there's an unsaid perception around security and safety. iPhones are the better bet compared to Android. Given the open nature of Android, it's not surprising to see malware and scammy apps finding their way to Android phones, aside from the usual phishing tactics via calls and texts. Of course, a bit of digital hygiene goes a long way, but scammers will find a way to hoodwink even the most digitally aware among us. Over the past few years, however, Google has taken a more proactive approach to protecting users and has created safeguards that are amiss from iPhones. Recommended Videos Bringing AI into the arena I know. I know. We've all grown tired of the endless AI hype. At its latest I/O developers event, the word AI was mentioned 92 times, while Gemini was brought up on 95 occasions. In the background, Google has deployed AI smarts that will smell fishy behavior in real-time during calls and text interactions with bad actors. One of those safety nets is AI-powered scam detection in Google Messages and Phone apps. The focus is on target conversational scams, where a threat actor slowly manipulates users into sharing sensitive details, making fraudulent transfers, and incurring other forms of loss. In scenarios where scammers act as representatives of banking institutions or even state officials (something even the FBI has warned about), people often fall for the con covering job, delivery, and toll tax frauds. Google says it will rely on 'intelligent AI models capable of detecting suspicious patterns and delivering real-time warnings over the course of a conversation.' The AI will look for suspicious patterns in real-time and will accordingly show a scam warning. Users will also get an option to instantly end the conversation and block the person on the other end. Likewise, during calls, the Gemin Nano AI model will look for signs where the caller starts mentioning details such as payments or pending deliveries, and will accordingly alert users with on-screen, audio, and haptic cues. Thwarting bad callers at each step These protections are relatively new, but have been atop foundations that were laid years ago. In 2022, Google revealed that the built-in machine learning system in the Messages app was flagging 1.5 billion spam, phishing and scam messages on a monthly basis. Of course, the threat landscape is constantly evolving, and to that end, digital swindlers are constantly trying new ways to trick users. Screen-sharing is one of those routes. To block that risk pathway, one-time passwords (OTPs) triggered via SMS and email no longer appear in the contents of a message if screen sharing is active. So, even if a scammer has screen sharing privilege, they won't be directly able to glean it from the incoming notification. In fact, any app that generates OTP notifications is invisible to the screen-sharing flow. Likewise, when users are entering sensitive details such as usernames, passwords and credit card numbers, they are also hidden. Users can specify if they only want to share the screen of a single app's activity, giving them an added layer of privacy. Android 15 also introduced advanced cellular protections to protect users against advanced attacks where scammers are using cell site simulators. If the cellular connection is unencrypted, users will be warned that their calls and messages can be intercepted or at risk of snooping. Calls are, of course, the best way to launch a social engineering attack, and quite often, scammers pose as employees or representatives of a company to establish trust. To counter that route, Google has a verified call system in place that shows a caller's name and the business logo right on the incoming call screen, alongside a verified badge. Vigilance in Messages Just like calls, the Google Messages app will also look for risk signals and warn users about fake job and package delivery scams using machine learning toolkits. 'When Google Messages suspects a potential scam text, it will automatically move the message into your spam folder or warn you,' assures the company. In a similar vein, Verified SMS badges have been a part of the Messages app since 2019, working in tandem with real-time spam detection. Unlike calls, text messages have their own unique risk factors, such as malware packages and URLs. To protect users, the app will automatically block messages containing a link from suspicious senders and will issue a warning, as well. Since a lot of scammers use throwaway international numbers, the Messages app deals with that threat, as well. Users now have an option to automatically hide all incoming messages from international senders that are not in their contacts list. Then there's the risk of identity theft or impersonation attacks, which are on the rise due to AI deepfakes. In order to thwart such attacks, Google has developed a contact key verification system that relies on cryptography to ensure that the person you are talking to is indeed your acquaintance. Thieves often do a SIM swap on stolen phones and target their contacts. Phone-based contact key verification (via QR code scanning or number comparison) will ensure that such impersonation attacks can be flagged, at the very least. Of course, it never hurts to create roadblocks even before an online crook engages in their act. Read the threat, warn the victim One such proactive strategy unfolds via Call Screen, a feature that lets an AI answer the incoming call on your behalf and inquire the caller about their name and intent, before you even pick it up. The idea is to vet the identity and avert a risky conversation before a scammer even gets a chance to interact with their target. But let's say you picked up the call, regardless. Thanks to the built-in AI systems, users will be warned if the scammer tries to goad them into disabling Google Play Protect safeguards for installing malicious apps. Alerts will also be given mid-way through the call if a hustler tells users to sideload an app, or grant accessibility permissions. Going a step further, the Phone app will warn users to stop screen-sharing if it detects a suspicious pattern during the call. Google says its onboard AI detection systems in the Phone and Messages app have been trained to sniff toll, billing, crypto, finance, gift card, prize, and technical support scams. Interestingly, the best you get on Apple devices is blocking and reporting spammy texts and calls. There are no user-facing proactive detection and evasion techniques baked at the heart of iOS, or within Apple's default call and messaging app that comes pre-installed on iPhones. In a nutshell, if you're wary of the ever-expanding scope of call and message-driven scams, invest in an Android phone. And while at it, I'd recommend one of Google's Pixel smartphones to ensure that you get early access to all the safety tools implemented in their best shape. It's just odd to see Google taking the lead with Android safety, while iPhones are riding high on a reputation built years ago, but little to show up for it in terms of innovations in recent times.
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Google Messages just did something simple that you'll instantly appreciate
Last month, we shared that Google was working on an update to make it easier to see which of your contacts are using RCS (Rich Communication Services) in Google Messages. And now, it looks like that update is finally starting to roll out. Google Messages has supported RCS for years, but there has always been one major annoyance – no quick way to know who actually has it. Now, that is starting to change. For many users, Google Messages is now showing an RCS badge next to contacts who support the feature. You will see these badges in the contact list that pops up after tapping the "start chat" button. This update isn't fully live yet – it looks like it is currently showing up in the latest beta (version 20250527_01_RC00), so not everyone has it. But the fact that it is rolling out at all means a wider release is probably just around the corner. An RCS badge will appear next to contacts who support the feature. | Image credit – aniruddhdodiya/Reddit This is the kind of quality-of-life improvement that should've happened a long time ago. Before this change, the only way to tell if someone had RCS was to start a chat and see if the message field said "RCS message" or "Text message." Not is also cool is that this new label works whether the other person is using Android or iOS – now that Apple finally gave in and decided to add RCS support to iMessage after holding out for years. So yeah, it is great that Google is making it way easier to see if you are about to message someone who can actually take full advantage of RCS you are not familiar, RCS brings a bunch of modern messaging perks like typing indicators, read receipts, higher-quality image sharing and group chat support – basically, everything you are used to from WhatsApp, iMessage or Messenger. Plus, it offers end-to-end encryption for extra privacy. RCS also doesn't rely on your cellular network like SMS does. Messages are sent over mobile data or Wi-Fi, which makes them faster, capable of handling richer content and essentially free – though keep in mind data usage still counts toward your mobile plan. I've lost track of how many times I've sent a message, only to realize it was actually an SMS that cost me extra (which depends on your plan, of course – mine charges a lot for SMS). So having a way to quickly spot who supports RCS is a big help. With Google updating the New chat contact list (yep, it now says "New chat" instead of "New conversation") to highlight who has RCS, it really feels like it is only a matter of time before this becomes the default on all Android phones.
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Business
- Android Authority
Google Messages finally has an easy way to see who has RCS
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority TL;DR The latest version of the Google Messages app finally makes it easy to see if a contact uses RCS. Contacts now have an 'RCS' badge to the right of their name. This is a welcome departure from having to open a chat with each contact to see if they use it. Google Messages has supported RCS for years now, but one missing feature is the ability to quickly check which contacts are using this standard. We discovered last month that Google was working on RCS labels, and it looks like this feature is finally available to users. 9to5Google and Redditors report that Google Messages now displays a badge next to contacts that have RCS. The badges are displayed in the contact list that appears after you tap the 'start chat' button. The labels are said to be available in the latest beta version of the app (version 20250527_01_RC00), although we can't see them yet on our phones. Check out the screenshot below, courtesy of Redditor anirruddhdodiya. Hadlee Simons / Android Authority Nevertheless, this is a sorely needed quality-of-life feature. There was no quick way to find out which contacts had RCS. Users have to open a chat with a contact and then check whether 'RCS message' or 'Text message' appears in the text field. I quickly found this to be a laborious task, so I'm glad to see Google has finally released a solution. This also comes after we recently discovered several other features coming to Google Messages. For starters, the app will let you share invites to group chats via QR code or URL. Google is also working on @mentions and a faster way to delete videos. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Embarrassing text mistake we've all made can now be FIXED after Google makes major change to millions of phones
But users will have to be quick if they want to texts they wish to wipe CHAT'S SO GOOD Embarrassing text mistake we've all made can now be FIXED after Google makes major change to millions of phones GOOGLE pals may soon be able to unsend your unwanted messages. The surprising new feature would allow other people to erase texts you've sent. 1 Google could soon be rolling out a feature allowing users to delete messages Credit: Reddit The company was previously potted testing a 'Delete for everyone' option in late March. Now, the tech giant looks set to roll out the option for some users. Reddit user seeareeff reported seeing the "Delete for everyone" option in at least one group conversation in Google Messages with 12 people. They went on to add that the option does not apply to smaller groups or in on-to-one chats. If applied, Google users will have fifteen minutes to remove texts they wish to delete. SPAM SOLUTION Elsewhere, a new button is being introduced by Google messages to enable phone users to stop receiving unwanted SMS texts or RCS chats. This function has been built into the Google Messages app as a tool to make it easier for people to stop receiving automated texts that often come as spam. It involves an "unsubscribe" button for Google messages that may be promotions or other "non-essential content". The new feature can appear at the bottom of the chat, just above the text field, or in the conversation's overflow menu if it seems like spam. An option to "unsubscribe to stop receiving messages" becomes available for RCS business messages for those in the UK, US, Brazil, France, Germany, india, Mexico, and Spain. Google reveals 'Advanced Protection' for VIPs – and you can use it too Just tap on this button and you can start the process of receiving messages from that particular sender. A short list of reasons will then appear as why you are unsubscribing. It includes selections like: "Not signed up", "Too many messages", "No longer interested", "Spam", and "Other". When the "Spam" option is clicked, it will then provide a "Report this sender" button. From this, Google Messages tells the sender to "STOP" sending messages to your number, and a notice saying "you should no longer receive non-essential messages from that sender" appears. Essential and requested messages can still be received from the sender after unsubscribing. This includes one-time passwords or boarding passes requested from the business, or confirmation of the unsubscribe request with information to further manage communication preferences from them. A business may also be unable to comply with unsubscribe requests, and will subsequently redirect you to account settings to change message notifications throughout you account. You can go to the overflow menu if you want to resubscribe to the sender's messages. The button should not be used interchangeably with blocking, as Google Messages does not yet detect spam automatically. The new button is also for the Google Messages app specifically, so does not apply to the regular messages app that comes on Samsung or iPhone devices.
