How to use Surfshark scam call protection on Android

Android call protection helps you identify scam & telemarketing calls and lets you block calls from those categories if you don't want to receive them.

In this article, you will learn how scam call protection works and how to set it up on your Android device.

NOTE: Scam call protection is available with the Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ plans.

Overview

When you receive a call from an unknown number, Surfshark instantly checks it against a scam phone number database to identify potential scams and telemarketing calls. 

Scam call protection notifies you so you can decide whether to answer or not. You can also set it to automatically block these calls before your phone even rings or simply receive a warning so you can ignore them.

Privacy note: Surfshark does not record your conversations, monitor your private calls, or use your personal data to train AI models.

Here is what to do 

Set up scam call protection

1. Open the Surfshark app on your Android device, scroll down, and tap Call protection on your home screen: 
   
   
    
2. Tap Turn on:
   
   
    
3. For Surfshark to work correctly, set it as your default Caller ID and Spam app. Tap Continue:
   
   
    
4.  Select Surfshark and press Set as default: 
   
   
    
5. Next, the app will request permission to access your contacts and manage phone calls. This allows it to identify callers and block unwanted numbers. Tap Continue: 
   
   
    
6. Tap Allow: 
   
   
    
7. Tap Continue:
   
   
    
8. Tap Allow: 
   
   
    
9. Once you grant the permissions, you will see a confirmation that scam call protection is active. Tap Got it to finish:
   
   
    

Managing scam call protection

Settings 

After finishing setup, you will be taken to the call protection dashboard. You can choose how strictly you want to filter your incoming calls by adjusting the settings.

1. In the scam call protection dashboard, tap on Settings (gear icon):
   
   
    
2. Here, you can toggle the following options:
    
   • Enable or disable the scam call protection solution at any time;
   • Automatically decline calls identified as scams;
   • Automatically decline telemarketing calls;
   • Enable push notifications every time Surfshark blocks a call for you.
     
     
     

Identify incoming scam calls

When a call comes in from an unknown number, Surfshark will display a label on your screen:

• Scam call example: 
  
  
   
• Telemarketing call example:
  
  

Report a call 

Follow the steps below to access recent calls and report a call that wasn't flagged, or to report a false positive. 

1. Open the Surfshark app, scroll down, and tap Call protection:
   
   
    
2. You will be taken to the call protection dashboard. Scroll down to access the recent calls section:
   
   
    
3. Choose a call that you want to report by tapping the three dots next to it:
   
   
    
4. Here you can report a call by choosing a category such as Telemarketing, or unblock a specific number by choosing Legitimate call, if it was a false positive: 
   
   
    
5. Tap Report to report a call: 
   
   
   
   NOTE: If you have push notifications enabled, you can instantly access the Recent calls section by tapping the blocked call push notification:
   
   

Viewing the scam call protection report 

After some time has passed with call protection enabled, you can check the report right from your home screen. 

1. Open the Surfshark app, scroll down, and tap Call protection:
   
   
    
2. Here on the dashboard, you will see how many calls were checked and blocked in total, as well as view the recent calls or access the call protection settings: 
   
   

You may also be interested in: 

• How to use the new Android Home Screen? 
• What is Surfshark's text message protection and how to use it on Android?
• What is Dedicated IP?