Block Outgoing SMS to Certain Numbers

[Vlad Soare]

Hello,

I know it's quite easy to block unwanted incoming messages. But is it also possible to block outgoing messages to a certain number? I want my kids to be able to send messages, except to a few specific numbers. Can I do that?

Thank you.

 

[Dannydet]

Why can't you just delete those contacts?
No text sent...

 

[Vlad Soare]

I'm not talking about contacts. Those numbers aren't saved in the contacts list.
I want my kids not to be able to send text messages to short (toll) numbers. They never do it on purpose, but I saw a couple of such premium messages on my latest invoice, and I suspect that one of the games they're playing uses some dirty tricks. I suspect that they innocently selected some 'get new lives' option, or 'buy a better weapon', or something like that, unaware of the fact that the app would covertly send a premium SMS. I want to blacklist those numbers.

 

[mikedt]

I'm not talking about contacts. Those numbers aren't saved in the contacts list.
I want my kids not to be able to send text messages to short (toll) numbers. They never do it on purpose, but I saw a couple of such premium messages on my latest invoice, and I suspect that one of the games they're playing uses some dirty tricks. I suspect that they innocently touched some 'get new lives' option, or something like that, unaware of the fact that the app would covertly send a premium SMS. I want to blacklist those numbers.

Your carrier should be able to block access to premium services on your account, that's how this is usually done. Contact your carrier's customer support about it.

 

[Vlad Soare]

I probably will. But given how smart Android is purported to be, I was hoping I could fix it myself. Asking my carrier for help is always a nuisance, so I'm not so keen on going down that route if I can avoid it.

 

[mikedt]

I probably will. But given how smart Android is purported to be, I was hoping I could fix it myself. Asking my carrier for help is always a nuisance, so I'm not so keen on going down that route if I can avoid it.

It probably could be made to do that, but I think it would need an online global database of what numbers are premium-rate. Like a number maybe premium-rate in one country, may not be in another. Carriers and telcos have usually always offered premium rate number blocking since the 1980s, long before smart-phones. And in fact AFAIK in the UK, premium-rate numbers are blocked by default, and you need to request your carrier turn premium-rate access on.

I know 5 digit SMS short codes can be premium-rate in the UK, but they're never premium-rate here in China. Android would need to be made "smart" enough to know that.

 

[Vlad Soare]

I don't expect Android to block them automatically. It would be enough if it allowed me to manually create a list of numbers to be blocked. It may not be a perfect solution, considering that I would know which numbers to block only after having being scammed, but it would be helpful in the long run.

 

[mikedt]

I don't expect Android to block them automatically. It would be enough if it allowed me to manually create a list of numbers to be blocked. It may not be a perfect solution, considering that I would know which numbers to block only after having being scammed, but it would be helpful in the long run.

I guess as it's something that just about all carriers can do, if requested, that it's not been considered to be included in Android. Maybe there's some third-party number blocking apps? But perhaps devs have never considered it.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I don't know if this will help, @Vlad Soare, but what about assorted parental controls and phone-usage-blocking?

I have no need for and, therefore, have never even looked at Android's parental controls, but perhaps they offer some help. Combine that with Play Store restrictions on making purchases, along with limits you may have available [in System Settings] for controlling use of the phone's features, maybe?

 

[Vlad Soare]

Thanks, I never thought about parental control apps. I'll look into that option.
In the meantime I've also found this:
https://www.samsung.com/ae/support/...ttings-to-allow-sending-sms-to-short-numbers/
I've set it to 'never allow'. Whether that works or not... remains to be seen.
I've also contacted the service provider. Still waiting for their reply; it usually takes a couple of days.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Keep us updated, okay Vlad Soare?

 

[Vlad Soare]

The service provider said they cannot block the access to the premium message service. They advised me to use the option described in the link I posted above.
Oh well... I hope it works. We'll see.