We've already covered what's been included in GDR2 from Microsoft as well as the Amber firmware update from Nokia, but there appears to be more pieces to the jigsaw puzzle. An update for Extras + Info has been fired out into the wild that enables Lumia Windows Phone owners who are rocking GDR2 to start blocking numbers and unwanted contact. Yep, this is huge, folks.
The new settings area added, after you've got the latest version of Extras + Info is "Call + SMS Filter," which essentially does exactly what the name suggests. It's a feature we've been praying for since Nokia jumped onto the Windows Phone wagon. With this new blocking functionality, you'll be able to add numbers to your blacklist for incoming calls and SMS to be quarantined.
Microsoft created new APIs with Windows Phone 8 build 10327, which makes it possible for Nokia (and other OEMs) to implement this. We've received reports that this may well be carrier locked, but if you're certain you've updated enough and should be able to use the feature, head into Extras + Info and then back out again to the main settings list to see if the item has been added to the menu (the entry also details whether or not this feature is enabled).
Heading into the call + SMS filter settings area will present you with a few options - fear not, there's nothing major here. All you need to worry about is enabling (or turning off) the filters and managing blocked numbers. The counters below will show how many have been caught. If you head into "Advanced" you can fine tune the filters with settings to block withheld numbers, turn on the Live Tile (see below) and receive toast notifications.
As noted above, Nokia has also made it possible for you to pin a Live Tile to the Start screen, showing how many calls and SMS have been blocked. Pretty neat, we must say.
Be sure to check for an Extras + Info update for your Lumia Windows Phone using this link or QR code below. Thanks, Tung Ha, for the heads up!
Reader comments
First look - Nokia adds Call and SMS filters to Lumias with GDR2 update today
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The article writer didn't do their research very well. The application CAN NOT block numbers from people who use UNKNOWN as their caller id.
Not very good design for an application.
Now all you need is this put onto other Windows phones.. please! :/ leaving us in the dark sometimes windows. jeeez!
But i can't able to update extra+info,i have nokia lumia 520,i update it to gdr3 with preview app,and when i scan this qr code they tell your device is competible with this app,Before gdr3 i have this app,But after i reset my phone,all going well but not receive update of this system app
How the hell do i ADD numbers to be blocked, i canf figure it out someone please help. Promethius99
Very interesting, but in Bulgaria we can not use it.
Why not? Blocking should work on all countries, no?
Can someone tell me, is it possible to block sms from a number, that consists of letters (something like "CLUB X")?
Got it on my 928 last night. not sure I will use it
What so great about call blocking. It should be there in the first place. IOS, Andriod phones has it all the while.
I have not received any updates for my 920 on EE yet
While checking out a missed call on the 9th, I noticed the new ;"blocked calls" option on the 925 - tmo. What a nice surprise!!! The Glance/Night mode features are neat too
Thanks MS for releasing the api's n thank you Nokia for taking advantage of them.
Diggn the 925 more and more everyday!
Got the update yesterday on my 520 on ATT, awesome stuff, very useful update.
I received updates to "extras + info" and "display + touch" yesterdat on my T-Mobile Lumia 521, but I guess since I don't have GDR2 yet, these new options don't show. That's a little annoying.
Nokia Lumia 1020, all updated. Get a message about not being able to open the filter. Re-booted, tried various things, no luck. ATT, in the US
Fair play to Nokia, they are delivering to their users where they can but this really should have been Microsoft's implementation for all devices from day one. For everyone else, this is not good. My 8X is starting to look more and more like my previous HD7; unloved and left behind.
To me it looks like Microsoft implimented an API in GDR2 and Nokia is the only OEM to take advantage of it. HTC needs to step their game up.
I also wonder if that API is something the average 3rd party developer can access?
He doesnt know what "block witheld numbers" means!!!!! Silly americans
This very good news. Even though I'm on the do not call list, I still get cold calls. No point in reporting it usually since the number is hi jacked. So, I have to pay 5$ a month to stop a number. Now all that I need is GDR 2
@Daniel, withheld numbers = calls that do not show the caller's number. In some phones, it will show "Number withheld". I forgot what Windows Phone shows. Some companies(especially call centers) use it to prevent people from calling back directly to the caller's extension. Oh, and some of those annoying telemarketers use that too (at least they do where I came from).
I just saw the video, was at work yesterday so couldn't see it.
Daniel, The way it works it would either divert the call (from withheld numbers) to voicemail or play a message saying "this person doesnot accept withheld / private numbers).
However in some cases the phone rings and the moment the person picks up it terminates the call.. so it would be helpful if someone did a test run, I'm waiting of the OTA update on my L920 otherwise I'd do it myself lol.
In response to Peng Foong, withheld numbers show up as "private".
when will i get AMBER GDR2 Update on my lumia 720???
not soon enough :)
same with my 920...
Is this feature available with Lumia 620?
download Windows Call and SMS filter for FREE..visit..
http://windroidblog.blogspot.in/2013/08/download-windows-call-and-sms-filter.html
that app (People Filter) doesn't have anything to do with blocking calls or SMS.. It's just a phonebook filter.
Anyone remembering Advanced Call Manager from Symbian? It seems that Nokia knew how to do it right. You could choose your response method: voicemail, sms, reject.. and by reject I mean busy tone right away, not after the caller hears the ringing tone. They knew about white lists and black lists, they knew about how to properly manage a call. And it was intuitive and effective.
Now what. What is this let's simplify all trend?
Let's hope that third party solutions will be allowed in this area.
this is version 1 I can imagine all of that functionality arriving in future updates
nice... its about time.
Still not able to get it in my 520!!!
It's about time. I love Nokia. I know this is a weird question, but does anyone know what happens to calls from numbers on the blocked list? Do they go straight to voicemail or what?
Need the ability sort items in Settings->System by alphabetical order. Settings->Application is sorted by A-Z but not in Settings->System. How crazy is that?
Two school of thoughts on that. I would hate, hate, hate for the settings to be sorted A-Z. It looks like Microsoft put on the first screen the settings they thought people would use the most. For me, it is mostly correct and since I'm just an average dude, it's probably correct for a lot of people.
Putting them in A-Z order would drive me crazy. The best option would be to allow people to arrage the order.
still need some few tweaks. like white list, separate list for SMS and Call. though looks promising already, waiting for some huge update! thanks a lot!
Still waiting for the update here in Australia,
Telstra advises it will be out on the 14th :) YEEEA HAAAA
I need an allow list between configurable hours. Cannot turn my phone on silent as on call. Can it do that?
not yet
Well anyone expecting Three UK to be delivering the GDR2 / Amber update anytime soon will be pretty disappointed.
Two tweets in response to my query today, first from:-
THREEUK "We don't have a date for that just yet I'm afraid, I think it may be coming in for testing soon though"
and the next from:-
THREEUKSUPPORT said "We don't have a date for the release yet"
Not sure why they are the slowest taking things up but they definitely lag behind the major players.
TJ
I don't like the trend that's occurring. Why is Nokia creating apps that should be supported directly by the OS? MS should be building things like this into the GDR2/3/Blue updates, and this feature should be available via contacts, not as a stand-alone app. Also, we need the ability to discretely block services for contacts -- not all or nothing. I'll take it as a gap filler, but this is wrong! All wrong!
I'd like to see Microsoft do it themselves too, but I certainly don't blame Nokia for taking the initiative.
Well, Microsoft seems to be concentrating on supporting new devices right now. I'm fine with Nokia doing it their way. They are the dominant supplier of W8 phones. And this new feature that will be perfect for me, I don't need a white list, just a black list.
Yes! Now I have a live tile to isolate all of my stalkers!
It was such an essential required feature for me. I am so glad they did it finally. I posted request for this feature in UserVoice forum in 2010
I have an AT&T 1020 with 8.0.10327.77 and update Display+. Restarted and no Call + SMS Filter is loaded. What gives?
THANK GOD!!!!!!!!
This was the only question mark in my mind but no more - WP8 is without doubt the greatest mobile OS.
INDEED!!!!
yes! so young YET dominantly promising!
My 925 now blocks numbers but the caller can still leave voicemail on T-mob
Youmail. You can ditch callers so they can't even leave messages.
Youmail?
This will break my heart if GDR2 is not available for the 810. But even if it is, this feature, which I desire above most else, may not be available on Tmobile. Tmob offers call blocking as an add-on service, so I don't think they'll give it away for free.
Got a question hopefully somebody know the answer to. I'm using a 920 from AT&T on T-mobile. When GDR2 is released, will I get it?
Yes you will.
Cool, thanks! Do I just get it when AT&T releases it like everybody else? I'm confused because it's an OTA update and since I'm not using their network I was afraid I wouldn't get it.
Adding my do not answer numbers now on my 1020! Awesome feature!
If you call and hang up on a number in your contacts, then you can block it. It just has to be in your call history.
Does anyone know if the blocked list is backed up with other data backed up on WP8 phones or if you have to start over with a new or hard reset phone?
Haha I have them in my phone as don't answer too!! All blocked now on my L 920
no call + sms filters in India. As i have updated extras + info to latest.
Is anyone having news regarding India
This can't come fast enough... I have been harrassed by this number "02921961008".. O2 can't block it and they said there was nothing they could do. Yesterday I had 19 miss calls.. and today I have had 6. The first few times when I picked up there was no answer I thought it was a friend who was travelling had a very crappy line but I quick search revealed this.
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/02921961008
This can't come fast enough... I have been harrassed by this number "02921961008".. O2 can't block it and they said there was nothing they could do. Yesterday I had 19 miss calls.. and today I have had 6. The first few times when I picked up there was no answer I thought it was a friend who was travelling had a very crappy line but 1 quick search revealed this.
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/02921961008
Great feature!
Great! I noticed a while back that T-Mobile does not support call blocking (not sure about now) so this will definitely be useful! Very impressed with Nokia.
Wat abt 920....Release update for it frst.
Sa-WEET!!
Broken on my Lumia 1020. I updated and when I rebooted I got this!!! It wont go away and when you click it it says... "Opps something went wrong"
https://c2ewfq.dm1.livefilestore.com/y2mS1SUuIWu4u6rwxuccj3qL4j0ru2dy52x...
got the 8.0.10328.78 update last night (unlocked UK 925 on Rogers in Canada), but no sign yet of updated Extras+info... maybe later in the week...
this should be built into windowsphone
after added few numbers, it gives me error, please update!
I updated my 925 today (Vodafone UK), but the extras+info update isn't available in the UK Windows Phone store.
I got it on my 925, Voda UK.
Hi i have a 4 wks old voda 925, and got my updates today.
Go to marketplace and type the name or use wpcemtral links using your mobile, i find that much easier
Good updates and about time too
DH
and its giving me error?
Works like a charm my phone never rang Im enjoying this much needed feature
does the caller ringing hear it ring once on his/her end even ???
I just tried with my phones. Calling I heard 1 or 2 rings and then it went to my voicemail.
Thanks for the reply! Would be sweet if just went straight to voicemail though!!
Try youmail its a great voicemail app that works perfectly with it I have those calls getting a discounted message. No official app on WP8 but MagikMail uses their API's
but。。。where is the GDR2？。。。
F-Yes!! I never have to pay another bill again!!
Haha same here!! "what credit card" ?? Lol
Samsung devices have had this feature since the WP7 days. Doubt any Nokia fanboys will give them credit for that, though.
Actually, that's true. Simply forgot about it. Will update the post. Regardless, Nokia now accounts for 81% of the Windows Phone market while Samsung...not so much.
So having a great feature is a bit meaningless when you don't actual put those phones in people's hands. I say that as someone who really, really like his ATIV S too.
In addition, this is an OS-level change that Microsoft did with GDR2, so that is significant.
Right - but Nokia has 81% of WP8 the same way Samsung has 81% (or whatever the percent is) of Android - they spam the market. Nokia better PREY it stays this way too, because Samsung could easily turn their spam towards Windows Phone and dominate it.
Nice!!!! So damn cool.
It won't download on my 928?
Article states its for GDR2 updated Lumias. Yours is not.
How do I block a call from say one of my contacts am I missing something //
I don't see a way to block from the contact list until they call, then you can block the number from call history.
I sorted it! If you just ring the contact and hang up straight away they will be in your call history, then you can block it! Problem solved !!
Thanks, that is the easies way to get the number in your call history.
A step beyond huge. It is a shame however that Nokia had to do this on their own. People have been asking MSFT to do this for several years.
ok, the API part has been mentioned plenty of times, but what exactly do they do? does it give developers the # of the caller, while the app is run in the background?
for a more clear example, would this allow "true caller"(if updated ofc) work in realtime, such as in andriod, and find the ID of the caller, while the mob is ringing ? :S
Actually you don't need to restart the phone after updating. Just go to settings and hold on a few seconds until is loaded.
Has anyone figured out how to block a contact? I see that you can do it from the call log, but I can find no way to block an existing contact. Do you have to wait for them to call you, or am I missing something?
I think you have to wait for them to call and you can block the number from call history.
That's unfortunate, but still better than not having the feature at all.
I sorted it! If you just ring the contact and hang up straight away they will be in your call history, then you can block it! Problem solved !!
Forgive my ignorance, but does one still get charged for the blocked SMS? I see that the blocked SMS is still recieved and can be read within the app/settings. I text little and pay per text.
Who gets charged for incoming SMS? which country do you live in and which carrier?
America/AT&T. We get charged all around here, send and receiving.
That sucks, the carriers in USA are amongst the worst in the world, an operator/carrier should be a dumb pipe not a dictator controlling software updates, phone sales, internet tethering, charging for incoming, forcing expensive contracts etc.. But T-mobile may change this situation with their recent consumer friendly moves.
And the answer for your first question in Yes, you will be charged for incoming as SMS is blocked at phone-level and not on network-level.
thanks, but there is some more few tweaks. there should be allow to block phone calls not in the list and the list accept only in phonebooks. those should be come in the next update!
I have been waiting for this forever. This feature alone used to drive me back to Android. And iOS STILL doesn't have it.
Awesome. Just awesome.
work fine
Thanks Nokia for being awesome!
If only MS would be on par with development...
yes, guess I'll head on over to Sprint to dump my Arrive for one of Nokia's Lumia offerings...oh wait
Damn, once again I'm still waiting for the Amber update for my unlocked Lumia 920.
you can do it yourself, google Nokia Software Update 3.0.8 it will help you update it using USB cable.
Number blocking is nice. Having a white list would be better.
yes! white list like listed on phonebook.
The Call filter is a much needed filter nice to see Nokia really taking this seriously.
Works on my AT&T branded Lumia 1020, loving the feature thus far! Thanks so much Nokia!
Yes, thanks Tung Ha WPV for the heads up.
I got the update on my 820 but no calls app, my 820 is euro unlocked.
You need GDR2 update..
Thank you, Nokia.! Thank you.!!
Hope us 920 users have this soon look swish
YEEEEEESSSSSS
Fuck me running, I have been waiting for this. Just need gdr2 now, c'mon Verizon.
FINALLLLYYYYYYYYYYYYYY been needing to block numbers for ages. Always wondered y WP didnt make this available when even my old symbian couldve
I use youmail its great because you can block unkown so they have to display their numbers or the get a this number has been disconnected msg
GDR2 for Lumia 928 when? This is the last month of Summer!
Yes!
Sweet! Come on AT&T where's gdr2+amber?????
In the kitchen, by the keys.
cool addition but microsoft really needs to get that settings list in some sort of a more usable order. also it'd be great if these oem customizations could be added as pivots to existing settings menus..
Got this update about 30 minutes ago. Too bad gdr2/amber are taking 10 years to release for my 521. Would be nice to use this to block harassing bill collectors. How does it work? Does it answer and hang up?
10 years, wow talk about an early adopter.
Just pay your bills
Student loans get pushed aside for everything else. If my job paid accordingly to what it demands, then it wouldn't be an issue. 10 years is a joke. Tmobile takes too long to "test" and push out these updates, especially since there are only 3-4 WP8 devices on their network.
Does anyone know when Lumia822 will get this update?
GDR2?
No, no one hear knows. Only Verizon knows for sure, so try to get an inside source.
Just want to understand... If in case I buy an unlocked phone from Walmart or ebay and use a prepaid service, do I still need to wait for the carrier to send me the GDR2 or will the OEM send me the update?
My girlfriend would love this feature! She has a stalker.
I just want to talk.
You made me laugh. Thank you.
LOL
Sad to say, I'm convinced most girls have stalkers these days. Price of the information age :/
Sure...your girlfriend....your the stalker, aren't you! :P
Lol yeah you're right. Haha
A conceal/carry permit would be another feature she could use. :)
Guys, I just updated my L520 with above link... and after that i got 2 updates in my store one is nokia care and other is display+touch... is that GDR2 update... updating.. excited !!!
Update: No its not... it was just a misc update.. nothing happened as expected... still need to wait... :(
No that is an update to those apps. You will get GDR2 though an over the air update not through the store.
Thanks... its very disappointing... :( looking up in the sky to get GDR2... :p
where in the world are you? O2 here in the UK are very good at pushing these updates and very quick.
India... heard a news that its gonna release next week...
Every week, they are telling like this only.. How many weeks we have to wait for the next week..?
#switch to Lumia then. Hahaha! xD
wicked feature!!!
waiting Amber update.. Nokia Lumia 920 At&t US Unlocked..... :/
Haha. This is why I wont get another Windows Phone. Same BS like WP7.
You will get another Windows Phone. I can see it already.
I don't understand your comment. It was not the fault of WP or Nokia. It was the carrier's fault. Ideally, your comment should read, "This is why I won't use the service of ________ again".
I will just have to wait its a nearing realease anyway gdr2 updates in lumias are more feature-packed than in any other wp8 device just be patient i think the reason for this (in my opinion) is to sell more the L925 and L1020 (which has gdr2 update out of the box )
You can block numbers through Verizon up to 90 days. I think you can only block 5 numbers for free.
They charge you for that? You almost have to admire Verizon's tennacity for extracting more and more money from their customers. Not necessarily saying the other carriers are better, since i don't know their block calls policy. Verizon just seems to me to be at the top of the hill when it comes to charging their customers.
Add atnt to that as well, I've seen extra service to add to block phone numbers
Initially I thought, it would be nice to use an US carrier since you get phones at a subsidized rate. But seeing all your comments, it seems like it would be a bad idea. How painful it is to know that a certain service which you love and supported by your handset is deactivated by the carrier.
It's like you have to choose your carrier wisely as you do your handsets.
This is all pretty neat but MS and Nokia at some point need to think about how to clean up and manage the settings menu. It evolves to an endless list of white text, which makes it more and more difficult to find what you are looking for quickly. The fact that there is no fixed order and every setting that gets updated falls back to the bottom of the list doesn't help.
Yup, agreed. Though I know the are experimenting with such a feature in 8.1 that is akin to how W8.1 handles apps. Not sure about Settings though if goes down to there.
Let's hope for the best. :)
Awesome!
Nice! If only this had been around sooner, I probably won't be needing it for awhile now. Hopefully it'll actually work unlike the one Samsung introduced for their WP7 devices.
It will definitely work now as Microsoft introduced an Official API with Windows Phone 8 build 10327 whereas Samsung just used a hackjob.
Looking fwd to this update.
Btw, does anybody still use SMS.
SMS is text messaging, right? Everybody uses that.
My understanding of SMS is texting from the phones default service (carriers) and not the likes of WhatsApp etc.
But im probably wrong? I asked because blocking SMS probably won't block certain whatsapp contacts. They are different.
Everyone uses SMS. You can block whatsapp contacts from the whatsapp app.
Most people.
yep massive still here in the UK although the likes of Whatsapp must be stealing some it's thunder.
Of course, that's like asking "does anyone still make phone calls?"
Do they?
Uh....its not if you understand my simple question. Or read my other replies. I'm not talking about "texting" generally (rolls eyes)
I'm not either. I'm talking about SMS, and my reply would be "Of course, everyone uses SMS". You said SMS, not "texting" so I'm not referring to WhatsApp, Skype etc. Every single person I know uses SMS regularly. Only a small percentage (maybe 5-10%) would bother with WhatsApp etc. SMS works on all phones, WhatsApp requires a smartphone and is beyond the skills / interest of people like my parents. I send / receive SMS messages with them all the time. It is such a fundamental feature, like making a phone call.
Using SMS a lot, have 40000 incl. each month...
Wow is it really that different in other countries that ppl ask if texting is still used?!?!?
Not sure if this is a joke? My question was about SMS, which I believe is a default texting service from the phone (carrier). Whatsapp is texting too duh but im asking does anyone still use SMS. Because most of the ppl I know use a specific "3rd party app" to text because there are more features. Not the default. I hope im clear enough? Its not that hard to understand really.
Unless my understanding of "SMS" is wrong. There's MMS service from carriers too so the definition of SMS is very obvious.
Just out of curiosity. Seriously.
No you're understanding of SMS is correct. Its just that in USA, texting is synonymous with SMS. If people wanna know if you use kik or whatsapp or messenger, they specifically say do you kik/whatsapp or use man messenger. So it was strange to see you ask if anybody still used basic texting. To you texting encompasses all forms of sending a message. To me texting strictly means via sms
Here in Costa Rica SMS is practically dead, I think... Almost everyone uses Whatsapp
Lots.
Maybe not for actual texting between people where all the other IM services provides better experience but SMS is very useful for two-step authentication for example.
I cannot stop loving Nokia! They know what to use engineers for.
Also using this New feature on my L925 (Portugal). Works greatttt
T-Mobile 925 nothing yet, I'm crossing my fingers but I have a feeling this feature will be blocked by T-Mobile
It's not an over the air update. T-mobile has nothing to do with it. All you have to do is scan the QR code above and update your 'Extras + Info' app.
I've got a 925 on Tmobile US and I just updated mine. It works great!
I stand corrected, I have downloaded the update and already blocked a few telemarketers!!! Wohoooo thank you Nokia for all your hard work!!!!!
I am using TMobile 925 and got the update...
It's working on my 925
I got it already Lumia 925 mobile.
I have it on my Lumia 925 T-Mobile and it works like a charm
Why isn't this built into Windows Phone? It should be available for all phones, rather than a Nokia add-on.
(yes I am a slightly annoyed HTC 8X user)
Technically, it is. It's part of GDR2--Microsoft enabled this feature via an API extension in OS build 10327 and later. But it's up to OEMs to configure it to their liking.
I get what you're saying and it's good that Microsoft have made the API available but it still feels like this is something that should be implemented and built into the core OS of the phone rather than relying on OEMs.
looks like MS realized that Nokia is working faster than they do, so they just implemented the API and moved on. If MS made this all by themselves, we probably would have had to wait until 2015 for this to arrive.
Good for Nokia users, bad for everyone else and the platform in general.
+1
Completely agree it should be an OS feature not OEM dependant.
Well, next time you know better what you should buy. Everyone knows that Nokia is a lot more determined with WP. They are working hard with a good user experience and happy customers. HTC on the other hand is just another Asian copycat OEM with "gimme your money and bye bye" attitude.
As an early adopter I think it's unfair to say that. HTC appeared behind the 8X when I bought it last November.
I'm not denying that Nokia haven't been behind WP and are constantly developing it. My original comment was that this should have been built into the core WP operating system rather than Microsoft relying on OEMs to develop features on the phone. Rather than creating a universal phone OS such as the iPhone it creates an 'Android-like' fragmentation.
Incidentally, the main reason I got the HTC 8X was for it's look and feel. I prefered it over the Nokia 920 which felt too cumbersome in my hand. And that in the UK the 920 was only available on EE for the first 3 months with the cost of the phone and plan quite extortionate.
Now it is built in and its up to the OEM to enable it. So give HTC a shout if you want this functionality. :)
The article says that Microsoft created the API for Nokia and other OEMs to implement this option. Fingers crossed all OEMs add it, and it won't be carrier dependent, as I can just see EE (UK) not allowing this feature!
Nothing in a phone OS should be 'carrier dependant' PERIOD.
This.
A gazillion times this.
Absolutely 100% agree - carriers should not alter or take out anything that is created by Microsoft and/or the OEM.
Awesome! More good stuff I cannot use until I get the GDR2 update for my 928!!
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