PhoneBlock vs T-Mobile Scam Shield

PhoneBlock is a free call-blocking service that uses a community-maintained database to identify unwanted advertising and spam calls. Users can report numbers through the app, website, or personal blacklist, and reports join the shared blacklist. The Android app blocks known spam calls, keeps call history, and supports reports and personal lists; it requires Android 10 or later. For incoming calls, the Android app sends only the phone number’s SHA-1 hash and does not access contacts.

Landline users can choose a router dongle, a Fritz!Box cloud answering machine, or a blocklist phonebook synchronized through CardDAV. The documented iPhone setup syncs spam numbers into contacts through CardDAV; a native iPhone app is in development, and beta registration is available. Phone systems can download the blocklist in different formats or query it through an API. PhoneBlock is licensed under GPL-3.0 and operated as a private project. The operator accepts email requests for help, including for mistakenly listed numbers. PhoneBlock costs nothing, with donations optional; its terms advise against business use.

T-Mobile Scam Shield provides call, text, and web protections for customers on T-Mobile’s network. Incoming calls T-Mobile identifies as likely scams can be labeled Scam Likely, helping customers decide whether to answer or block them. Scam Block can automatically block those calls and can be disabled at any time. Included anti-spam protection covers SMS and MMS, while Safe Web Browsing helps block known malicious or dangerous sites on supported devices and experiences. Calling a number on the Scam Likely list triggers an audible warning through Callback Protection. Network protections work automatically without the app; customers can manage ScamShield in T-Life, turn on Scam Block by dialing #662#, or use My T-Mobile or the T-Mobile app. ScamShield is available for Android and iOS. The free plan is free at no extra cost for T-Mobile customers with qualifying service and a capable device. ScamShield Premium is $4 a month per line and adds categorized call types sent to voicemail, reverse number lookup, and automatic voicemail transcription by text.