T-Mobile's quiet app change might be why your phone rings off the hook [UPDATED]

Update from 04.03.2025:

T-Mobile has cleared up any confusion about the recent spike in spam calls, saying it is not related to the T-Life app or the move of Scam Shield to it.

So, the real cause seems to be elsewhere. It could be due to data being sold (unfortunately, it happens) or an overall rise in robocalls across the US (according to the FCC, Americans are hit with around 4 billion robocalls every month).

Even when scam protection is on, though, some calls might still slip through. Overall, the system does a great job, but it is not foolproof.




Now, if you are sick of those nonstop spam calls and haven't set up any protection yet, there are plenty of ways to fight back – depending on your phone and carrier.

As I mentioned above, T-Mobile users should head over to the T-Life app to manage scam blocking. Verizon customers can use the Call Filter app (the basic version is free), while AT&T subscribers can enable Call Protect through the myAT&T app.

Beyond carrier options, your phone itself may have built-in spam protection, too. On iPhones, for example, you can enable the Silence Unknown Callers feature or install a third-party app. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, when turned on, the Smart Call feature can identify unknown numbers and let you block or report them.

Pixel users can turn on Caller ID & spam protection and if you activate Filter spam calls, those calls won't even show up as missed calls or voicemails – though you can still find them in your call history if needed.

So, yeah, you've got plenty of ways to keep spam calls in check. And if you are curious for even more tips, check out our guide on staying safe in a world full of tricks.