Help request: How to block txt msgs from unknown senders on Galaxy S9?

@riskybryzness Same challenge for this person. They haven’t been able to locate the interface for these features on their S9.

I’m dubious about recommending third party apps since you’re basically giving up full access to all inbound and outbound txt msgs to an unknown quantity. Someone else suggested “just get a paid app so you know it’s legit.” but obvs just because you dole out a few bucks for an app doesn’t mean there isn’t some nefarious or disingenuous intention for your collected data.

@RiotDemon Thank you. I found that on Samsung’s support website, but the specific steps seemed to be regarding the Galaxy K Zoom. I wasn’t able to find similar instructions for the S9. When I forwarded those instructions to this person they were not able to replicate the steps. Apparently something is different in the UI from K Zoom to S9.

@ruouttaurmind do they use Messages?

@ruouttaurmind I have a pixel with the most up to date Android (updated today.) This is what the settings look like in my Messages app.

@RiotDemon Thank you. Very different UI on the Galaxy S9. The phone has Samsung Experience as the UI. They are using the default Samsung Galaxy messaging app, whatever that is. Further research indicates this Enable Spam Protection feature may only be available on Samsung Galaxy phones running Samsung OneUI, not the earlier TouchWiz or Experience interfaces.

Unfortunately I’m at a disadvantage since the person and phone are in a different city and I’m trying to help via phone and email messages.

I appreciate the screen caps. I will forward them and see if they can find something that resembles this.

@ruouttaurmind ah. See if they can download the messages app. It’s the official Google app.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.messaging

@RiotDemon Thank you. This is an elderly person who is very resistant to change to something they will have to learn how to use. Let’s just say this person is not terribly trainable. Old dogs, new tricks and all that.

Possibly the only real solution will be for me to drive out there this weekend and have the phone in my sweaty little paws to see if I might better be able to figure out what is possible and what is necessary.

Many thanks for your advice!

@ruouttaurmind you’re welcome.

The messages app is pretty intuitive. Should be easy to switch.

I wonder if they gave someone their number and that’s why they are getting inundated with spam?

@RiotDemon Well, they did give their number. The rough of it is described here in my reply to f00l.

@ruouttaurmind ah, oopsie. That sucks. Maybe you can respond to the messages and ask to be removed from their lists. Hopefully the messages app would still help.

@RiotDemon Political fundraising is in serious need of reform.

@RiotDemon @ruouttaurmind

Maybe you can respond to the messages and ask to be removed from their lists.

Don’t do this.

It just confirms the number is live and responsive.

Switch to google/android native messages app (over from the Samsung imitation).
It’s better and you get the latest stuff.
And if works just the same. Zero learning curve.
Set the google version if messages as default, and then out the Google messages icon where the samsing messages icon used to be in the hone screen.

Re old dog new tricks:

I know it’s unfair. But if this person can’t or won’t learn the suggestions and how to use them, they will keep getting spam
They would still get the so even if they switched over to ios. It’s associated w the phone number, not the device - this in my experience apple dies a better job if controlling how much personal data and app can access.

But if the person won’t learn tech tricks on an ongoing basis, they will get spam and it will get worse over time.

They can contain their carrier (ATR, Verizon, etc), hoe light he able to help a little. Or not.

If they have a budget mnvo carrier they may get no help at all.

I fight spam everyday and it’s ongoing. The only nuclear solution is to change the phone number (first wipe the phone and only reinstall apps thar you are sure are not data thieves).
After that, install no more apps unless from a really trusted source.

This is not ios vs android. This is about the phone number getting into the hands of spammers.

@f00l This is not really cold call phishing or fraudulent activity. This flurry of activity was originated when this person made a campaign donation to one of the political parties. That political party then distributed the contact information to all campaigns associated with the party. From national to local, even in states other than where this friend resides. They have been targeted as a source for campaign donations and have received many hundreds of text messages begging for campaign donations across the country.

@f00l Rat bastards always looking for that extra revenue:

You can permanently block up to 20 specific phone numbers, including restricted, unavailable and private numbers, for a low monthly fee with Verizon Smart Family™. Learn how to block contacts with Verizon Smart Family, or sign up for Verizon Smart Family if you don’t already have it.

@ruouttaurmind

Android/google will let you block all the numbers you want.

you still see the calls on your call log. On my phone the phone doesn’t even ring or vibrate or show incoming.

You do have to block them number by number. Every day.

Re text messages I just block the number and delete the message. After that, I think Google messages blocks them.
Anyway I see no more from that number.

Re politics I understand. I went a single gathering about 24 years ago. Much of my spam comes from that.

Get this person a google voice number or similar virtual number if they wanna go to political stuff they can give that number out.

But the existing number will now be on spam lists forever.

@f00l

Android/google will let you block all the numbers you want.

I have walked them through blocking individual numbers, but in consideration of the massive volume of txt, each from a different number, individual blocks are more of a gesture than a remedy. The day before Election Day they received txt from 122 different phone numbers, many numbers txt multiple times that day.

The “block unknown numbers” is an ideal, elegant solution if I can find it on their phone.

@ruouttaurmind

read the Do Not Disturb and then let existing contacts through I know how to do that I have an s9 I’ll send you some screenshots in a bit okay?

but also they do need to block number by number it’s worse because if the election but it’s going to die off but they need to block number by number and the long run that will help if they don’t want to do that they need to consider getting a new phone number and maybe assigning the old phone number to a virtual line somehow so that they don’t miss calls from people they need to inform about the number change it gets complicated it’s not easy it’s not right but this is the reality

@f00l

it’s not right but this is the reality

All good points, and this especially.

I’m really going to push for the new number, but if you have an opportunity to fwd screen caps, that would be very helpful. No rush, I won’t be taking the trip out there until Sunday. Only if you have time though, it’s very much appreciated.

@f00l @ruouttaurmind I would try the messages app before changing the number.

@RiotDemon @ruouttaurmind

Ok you will have screenshots by this Sunday.

Btw I may have spoken in haste political spam is not quite the se us regular spam.

Sometimes if you reply “STOP” to political spam they do actually stop.
This will not stop the phone number from being used by other organizations tho.

I don’t know much about the details, but some degree of political organizations ability to attempt contact us is kinda legally protected.
Altho most of these groups don’t wanna make people insane with anger. Again, I don’t know how it works.

@f00l @RiotDemon @ruouttaurmind

If you reply “STOP” to political spam they do actually stop.

All candidate campaigns do this. PACs, not so much, depends on the PAC. BTW, “PAC” = “dark money”. The official party PACs, yes. The shady ones with generic names are almost always fronts for even darker money unless you do your homework and know the people involved.

Obviously if your number was already shared with other organizations, the cat is out of the bag, and it is back to sending “STOP” replies.

It will taper off.

If you’re going to give money to a candidate, as is your right, it’s best to give it directly to the campaign - watch for “shared” donations that split funds, and make sure you’re OK with that. Individual candidates are not likely to share your info widely as, say a PAC would to skirt limits, and candidate campaigns are more likely to stop when you tell them since they don’t want to lose your support since it reflects directly on the candidate.

Like all things with loads of money flowing, it will attract scammers and goons from both sides, and since 2016, foreign governments are also feeding the action and chumming the waters.

@ruouttaurmind

I forgot to do the screenshots. If you still want them (my Do Not Disturb settings"), lemme know. I’ll do that by tomorrow for you.

@f00l I appreciate that. I did the little road trip to visit my them on Sunday. Absolutely resistant to any change of any kind. Wouldn’t even let me check the phone to see if I could figure it out. Ok, so ask me for advice and assistance then disregard everything I have to offer. Waste of time and effort for me and everyone here who has pitched in on this topic.

@ruouttaurmind

Anger and a sense of powerlessness often inducd irrational behavior.

I’m sorry you made the road trip for nothing.

For future ref

You know how to get to settings on any android phone right? Swipe down from the top and then click on the little round “gear” icon.

On the s9, in settings:

Go to “notifications”
Under notifications, you will see an off/on switch for ,“do not disturb”. Turn that on

Then click on the phrase “do not disturb”. This will lead you to a submenu for fine tuning.

Click “turn on now”

Under duration, click *until I turn it off".

Under “hide notifications”, l leave everything on for that. Click on that and adjust to personal pref.

Under “allow exceptions”, I allow all my contacts to get thru. Adjust to personal pref.

Someone might have some contacts that they might want to keep, but not be bothered by.

For these, set the ringtone to “silent”. I use a third party app for this (DW Contacts) so I don’t know if it’s easy to do natively on the S9.

Or someone can leave the contact in place but block the phone number. I presume the person knows how to block numbers.

All in all, android settings are complex enough to be a PITA. Little pieces of a setting that control an aspect of phone behavior are hidden all over the settings menu.

I’m sorry you made the trip for nothing
The person should have accommodated your effort.

You are just a damned fine person.
Don’t quit that ok?

@f00l Thank you very much for the detailed step-by-step. Really appreciated!

@ruouttaurmind

I think you know this person thru work? So maybe at some point you’ll be around when you can try this, if the person is interested.

Or you can edit for clarity and then forward the info …

I just hope you can always afford to keep your heart of gold all new and shiny.
: )

@f00l

I just hope you can always afford to keep your heart of gold all new and shiny.

Very kind of you to suggest the shriveled black prune thumping in my chest could be mistaken for gold. At best it’s a gilded replica.

This person has been a mentor of sorts for many years. They have a storied history reaching back 6 decades in the corporate world. CEO of companies you probably heard of. They have been a valuable source for perspective and input as I have evolved my business in various directions.

@ruouttaurmind

And they still may want your help on this. Once the frustration level drops.

Sounds like an excellent and v worthy person.

Explain to them about getting a google voice number for future “give out to strangers” purposes, if they not so angry and they ever become willing to let you.

Yeah, that heart of yours has got a core of gold in there somewhere.

I mean, you put up w your mom on those cross country drives. That took forbearance and patience, right?
And you still put up w her. And love her, and appreciate her
Kinda gladly, most of the time.

Besides, re that heart of gold:
It’s there. I peeked. ; )

/giphy heart of gold

@mike808
All that samsung prorietary locked down nonsense is just annoying.
That’s why I’m likely on my last samsung phone.

Good hardware tho.