Blocking Calls

Summary

I implemented the scripts for Blockr, and found there was a ~2 second amount of time before the ringer would be silenced for calls I wanted to ignore/block.

My solution to the ringer issue requires setting the ring volume to zero by default, and then two profiles - one for what I want to accept, and one for handling the calls I don't want.

Table of Contents

• Allowing Calls
• Allowing Calls Instructions
• Blocking Calls
• Blocking Calls Instructions

Allowing Calls

1. Download the Allow_Calls.prf.xml
2. Place it in the Tasker/profiles folder on your phone
3. Open Tasker
4. Access the menu
5. Select Profile Data
6. Select Import One Profile
7. Select Allow_Calls from the list of available profiles
8. Click the OK button to acknowledge risk of importing
9. The Allow Calls profile now appears in your Profiles list - edit to desired settings.

Instructions

1. Click the New button
2. Specify a descriptive Profile Name (IE: Allow Calls)
3. Click the OK button
4. Click the State context from the list
5. Select the Incoming Call state from the list
6. Specify what you want to allow - the sample script uses Any Favorite Contacts
   • click the looking glass button to get a list of incoming call specific options:
     • A Single Contact (opens a dialog to select from existing contacts)
     • Any Favorite Contact (C:FAV)
     • Any Contact (C:ANY)
   • The asterisk (*) is a supported wildcard character to allow for filtering by area code/etc
   • "0" (zero) matches anyone blocking caller id — it's unnecessary if filtering by those who're in your contacts or favorites
   • "!" reverses whatever logic comes after it
7. Click the Done button
8. Click the New Task + to add a task associated with the newly created profile
9. Provide a descriptive task name (IE: Increase Ringer Volume)
10. Click the OK button
11. Click the + button
12. Select Audio from the list of actions
13. Select Ringer Volume from the list of audio actions
14. Specify the level (the sample uses 6) for how loud the ringer should be
15. Click the Done button
16. Click the Done button to exit the task dialog
17. Tap the newly created task (IE: Increase Ringer Volume) to get the Task Options menu
18. Select Add Exit Task option
19. Click the New Task + to add a task
20. Provide a descriptive task name (IE: Reset Ringer Volume)
21. Click the OK button
22. Click the + button
23. Select Audio from the list of actions
24. Select Ringer Volume from the list of audio actions
25. Specify the level (the sample uses 0) for how loud the ringer should be
26. Click the Done button
27. Click the Done button to exit the task dialog
28. Click the Apply button

Blocking Calls

The following will setup Tasker to screen incoming calls. Those that aren't in my favorites list, will get one ring before they are shuttled off to my voicemail.

1. Download the Block_Calls.prf.xml
2. Place it in the Tasker/profiles folder on your phone
3. Open Tasker
4. Access the menu
5. Select Profile Data
6. Select Import One Profile
7. Select Block_Calls from the list of available profiles
8. Click the OK button to acknowledge risk of importing
9. The Block Calls profile now appears in your Profiles list - edit to desired settings.

Instructions

1. Click the New button
2. Specify a descriptive Profile Name (IE: Block Calls)
3. Click the OK button
4. Click the State context from the list
5. Select the Incoming Call state from the list
6. Specify what you want to allow - the sample script triggers for anyone who is not in the Favorites list (!C:FAV). See Allowing Calls section for more details on supported options.
7. Click the Done button
8. Click the New Task + to add a task associated with the newly created profile
9. Provide a descriptive task name (IE: CallBlock)
10. Click the OK button
11. Click the + button
12. Select Phone from the list of actions
13. Select End Call from the list of phone actions
14. Click the Done button
15. Click the Done button to exit the task dialog
16. Click the Apply button

To set Tasker to not provide the caller with the ability to leave a voicemail, add a task for taking the call before ending it:

1. Click the New Task + to add a task associated with the newly created profile
2. Provide a descriptive task name (IE: CallBlock)
3. Click the OK button
4. Click the + button
5. Select Phone from the list of actions
6. Select Take Call from the list of phone actions
7. Click the Done button
8. Click the + button
9. Select Phone from the list of actions
10. Select End Call from the list of phone actions
11. Click the Done button
12. Click the Done button to exit the task dialog