Introduction
Call protection flags potential scam calls before you answer. It screens incoming numbers and shows a clear warning so you can decide whether to ignore, decline, or send the call to voicemail instead of answering. As a result, the NordVPN feature also offers call blocking against scammers and telemarketers.
How does call protection work?
- Number reputation check – When a call comes in, the feature instantly checks the incoming number against a constantly updated database of known scam and telemarketing operations.
- Real-time alert – If NordVPN identifies the number as a potential threat, a clear warning label appears on your incoming call screen before you answer. Even if you don’t have call blocking set up, you will still receive this warning about a suspicious incoming call.
- Call blocking – Additionally, you can set up call blocking to automatically detect and intercept potentially fraudulent or promotional calls. You have the flexibility to select whether to block calls flagged specifically as scams or telemarketing.
- You stay in control – The feature provides warnings or automatic detection based on your settings, but you always have the final decision to answer, decline, ignore the call, or block a specific number yourself.
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Privacy-first design – To protect your privacy, this feature only analyzes the caller’s number. It never accesses, listens to, or stores the content of your conversations.
Requirements
- This feature is only available for users in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, German, Poland, Lithuania, Italy, Spain, France, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Canada, and Australia.
- This feature is available only for Android users.
- Ensure that you have a NordVPN subscription plan that includes call protection, and that the NordVPN application is installed on your Android device.
Here's what to do
- Open the NordVPN app.
- Tap the four squares on the bottom middle to access the "Products" menu.
- Tap "Call Protection."
- Tap "Turn On."
- Select NordVPN as the default caller ID & spam app.
- If prompted, allow NordVPN to manage phone calls.
- You can tap on "Call blocking" to configure exactly what you would like to block.
In case you decide to change the Caller ID & spam protection back to default, follow these steps.
NOTE: Android 10 users may be asked to grant an extra permission during this process. Meanwhile, newer versions of Android require fewer permissions.
On Google devices
- Open the “Settings” application.
- Tap “Apps.”
- Select "Default apps" under the "General" section.
- Select "Caller ID & spam app."
- Choose "None."
On Samsung devices
- Open the “Settings” application.
- Tap “Apps."
- Tap "Choose default apps."
- Select "Caller ID & spam app."
- Tap "None."
On Xiaomi devices
- Open the “Settings” application.
- Tap “Apps."
- Tap "Permissions."
- Select "Permissions" again.
- Search for "Default caller ID & spam app" and tap it.
- Tap "None."
OnePlus devices
- Open the “Settings” application.
- Tap “Apps."
- Tap "Default apps."
- Tap "Caller ID & spam app."
- Tap "None."
Additional tips
- If Call protection isn't working, the first step is to confirm that NordVPN is still set as the default "Caller ID & spam app" in your phone's system settings.
- This feature provides a warning but never automatically blocks a call. If a number you recognize is flagged as a potential scam, you can still choose to answer it.
