Call Screener uses an AI-powered assistant to screen unknown callers before they reach you. When an unknown call comes in, Hiya Spam Blocker answers on your behalf, asks the caller to identify themselves, and shows you a live transcript so you can decide whether to take the call or let it go to voicemail.
Call Screener also enables Visual Voicemail: voicemails are routed through Hiya Spam Blocker and appear in the Calls tab.
Requirements: Premium subscription · Android v15.0.0 or later · US or Canada
Older versions of the app include limited version of Call Screener. Update to the latest version of Hiya Spam Blocker to access the AI-powered Call Screener described here.
Open Hiya Spam Blocker and tap Settings
Tap Call Screening & Visual Voicemail
Tap Activate
Follow the on-screen prompts — the app will confirm your carrier and set up call forwarding automatically
When activation is complete, you'll see a confirmation message
Carrier confirmation: The app checks whether your carrier supports Call Screener. If it can't detect your carrier, you'll be asked to select it from a list. If your carrier isn't supported, activation cannot proceed. Call Screener works on most major US and Canadian carriers.
If activation fails: Tap Activate again. Uninstall the app, restart your device, reinstall, and try activating Call Screener again.
Open Hiya Spam Blocker and tap Settings
Tap Call Screening & Visual Voicemail
Tap Deactivate
Follow the on-screen prompts — the app will remove call forwarding from your carrier line
Important: Always deactivate Call Screener in the app before uninstalling. If you uninstall without deactivating, your calls will continue to be forwarded. See Call forwarding and accessing voicemails to remove forwarding manually.
Once Call Screener is active, go to Settings → Call Screening & Visual Voicemail to configure:
Screen my calls — turn screening on or off without fully deactivating
Screen calls from — choose All callers, Unknown callers only, or Contacts only
In Call Protection — detects fraud signals during active calls (audio is not stored)
Screener greeting — customize the greeting your assistant uses when screening calls
Screener voice — choose the AI voice for your assistant
Screener language — set the screening language (English and French supported)
Disclose recording — adds a recording notice to the greeting where required by law
Call Screener and In Call Protection use your microphone:
Call Screener uses it to answer screened calls on your behalf and to record a custom voicemail greeting.
In Call Protection listens during active calls to warn you in real time if it detects fraud or an AI voice.
Your privacy: audio is securely analyzed but never stored, and Hiya will never record you without your consent.
If you'd rather not allow it: you can decline or turn off microphone access in your device settings. Without it, Call Screener can't answer screened calls.
If you're expecting an important call and don't want it screened, you can temporarily pause screening. Tap the snooze option and choose:
30 minutes
1 hour
4 hours
Until end of day
To end a snooze early, tap End now in the Call Screener status row.
Troubleshooting: If Call Screener is stuck, not screening, or interfering with your calls, see Call Screener isn't working on Android.
If Hiya Spam Blocker is no longer installed and your calls are still being forwarded, see Call forwarding and accessing voicemails for instructions on removing call forwarding manually.
