Spam calls and robocalls are a growing problem for small business owners. While Beside doesn't currently offer a dedicated spam blocker feature, there are several ways to significantly reduce unwanted calls and make sure the ones that matter always get through.
Silence unknown callers
The most effective built-in tool is Silence Unknown Callers. When enabled, calls from numbers not in your contacts (and that you haven't called before) are muted and sent to your AI Receptionist instead of ringing your phone. Known contacts ring normally, and all calls remain visible in your call log.
To enable this:
Open the Beside mobile app
Go to Settings
Tap Notifications → Silence Unknown Callers
Toggle the feature on
⚠️ Important: Silencing unknown callers means any number not in your contacts will go to your AI Receptionist instead of ringing - including potential new clients calling for the first time. Use this setting if spam volume is high and you're comfortable routing cold inbound calls through your AI Receptionist.
Configure who your AI Receptionist answers
You can control exactly which calls your AI Receptionist handles, adding a smart layer of filtering without silencing calls completely.
To configure this:
Open the Beside mobile app
Go to the AI tab
Select the Calls sub-tab*
Under Scope, choose whether your AI Receptionist answers: all missed calls, missed calls from unsaved numbers, or missed calls from contacts only
*if you have multiple lines, select the line you want to update first in the top-left corner before accessing the AI tab.
This setup lets you capture important calls from new clients while filtering out unknown or spammy numbers through the AI - without muting your phone entirely.
Change your Beside number if spam becomes excessive
If spam calls are too frequent or disruptive, changing your Beside number can instantly reset unwanted call traffic. This is especially useful if your current number was previously targeted by robocall lists - a fresh number starts with a clean reputation.
Each line gets one free number change. You can pick a new area code directly from the app in just a few seconds.
FAQ
Does Beside have a dedicated spam blocker?
Does Beside have a dedicated spam blocker?
Not yet - a dedicated spam blocking feature is in development. In the meantime, using Silence Unknown Callers and configuring your AI Receptionist scope are the most effective ways to reduce unwanted calls.
Can I block a specific phone number in Beside?
Can I block a specific phone number in Beside?
Beside doesn't currently have a manual per-number block feature. To prevent a known spam number from reaching you, you can use your phone's native blocking feature (available on both iPhone and Android) alongside Beside's Silence Unknown Callers setting.
Will my AI Receptionist answer robocalls?
Will my AI Receptionist answer robocalls?
Yes - if a robocall reaches your line, your AI Receptionist will answer and greet the caller. Most automated systems hang up at that point since they're not designed to respond to a live-sounding voice. The call will still appear in your log with a short or empty transcript.
My number shows as "Scam Likely" to people I call - what should I do?
My number shows as "Scam Likely" to people I call - what should I do?
This can happen with new Beside numbers while carrier spam registries update. It typically resolves within 48 hours - and if it persists, our support team can guide you to register your number with the Free Caller Registry.