Fresh regulations and a simple Android solution are quietly changing how French consumers experience phone calls. After years of constant interruptions from sales calls, new legal limits and a free app now help silence many unwanted rings before they even start.
Why phones in France keep ringing
Unwanted telemarketing calls have become a daily frustration across France. In 2023, consumer group UFC-Que Choisir revealed that over one third of people receive at least one nuisance call every day, while three out of four are contacted at least weekly.
The calls often promote energy contracts, insurance offers or fake technical support. Many people answer automatically, worried about missing something important, only to be met with another rehearsed sales pitch.
For most users, these calls disrupt home life, work hours and even medical appointments, creating a persistent sense of intrusion.
What the new law really changes
France has tightened its approach to cold calling several times, but a new rule effective from 28 January 2025 marks a major shift. Under this law, companies are no longer allowed to make sales calls unless they have obtained clear prior consent.
The default position has flipped: silence now means no consent. Telemarketers must be able to prove that a consumer explicitly agreed to be contacted. Without that proof, the call is illegal.
Limits on timing and call frequency
This rule builds on restrictions already in place since 1 March 2023:
- Commercial calls are allowed only Monday to Friday.
- Permitted time slots are 10am–1pm and 2pm–8pm.
- No calls on weekends or public holidays without explicit consent.
- A company may try to reach you no more than four times per month.
- If you refuse during a call, the company must stop contacting you for at least 60 calendar days.
On paper, French law now controls who can call, when they can call and how often. In reality, enforcement is still catching up.
The overlooked clue: special prefixes for sales calls
One of the most practical yet least known measures comes from ARCEP, the French telecom regulator. Since 2023, specific phone number prefixes have been reserved exclusively for telemarketing platforms.
Prefixes used for mainland France
- 0162
- 0163
- 0270
- 0377
- 0424
- 0425
- 0568
- 0569
- 0948
- 0949
Prefixes for overseas territories (DOM-TOM)
- 09475 – Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin, Saint-Barthélemy
- 09476 – French Guiana
- 09477 – Martinique
- 09478 – Réunion
- 09479 – Mayotte
Personal mobile numbers in France normally start with 06 or 07. A sales call using those prefixes is not allowed and can be reported via Bloctel, the national opt-out register.
What these prefixes mean for Android users
Knowing these number ranges opens the door to a powerful filter. Instead of blocking calls one by one, Android users can block entire prefixes used by call centres.
This approach makes it possible to stop thousands of nuisance calls in one move, using a dedicated Android app.
Blocking sales calls by prefix on Android
A French app called “Préfixe Bloqueur – Anti Spam”, available for free on Google Play, has gained attention for this exact purpose. It lets users define telemarketing prefixes and automatically reject matching calls.
Choosing and installing the right app
On Google Play, the app is published by AWERTYS. Users are advised to check the developer name carefully, as many similar anti-spam apps exist.
The developer states that no contact data is collected or resold, which may reassure users already wary of phone-related permissions.
Setting it as the default call filter
To work properly, the app must be set as the default caller ID and spam detection service:
- Open the app and tap “Set as default app”.
- Select “Préfixe Bloqueur” from the list.
- Confirm by tapping “Set as default”.
This allows the app to decide whether calls are blocked before your phone rings.
Granting permissions carefully
The app then requests several permissions. While they are necessary for call filtering, users can still review Android’s permission logs and user feedback for reassurance.
Creating an effective prefix blacklist
The most technical step is building the blacklist:
- Open the “Blocked” tab.
- Ensure “Blacklist” is selected.
- Tap “Add” and choose “Prefix”.
Because France uses the country code +33, prefixes must be entered without the leading zero. For example, 0162 becomes +33162.
Suggested prefixes to block
- +33162
- +33163
- +33270
- +33271
- +33377
- +33378
- +33424
- +33425
- +33568
- +33569
- +33948
- +33949
Entering them takes a few minutes, but once done, any matching call is blocked automatically and sent straight to voicemail.
When telemarketers ignore the law
Despite stricter rules, some users still receive calls outside legal hours or from 06/07 mobile numbers. These calls often violate both the prefix rules and the consent requirement.
Consumers are encouraged to report such numbers to Bloctel. While fines exist, enforcement remains inconsistent, making technical solutions on phones especially appealing.
Combining legal protection with phone tools
The strongest defence usually combines several layers:
- Registering with Bloctel.
- Blocking telemarketing prefixes via apps like Préfixe Bloqueur.
- Enabling built-in spam detection in Google’s Phone app.
- Manually blocking repeat offenders using 06/07 numbers.
No single method is perfect, but together they dramatically reduce interruptions.
From daily harassment to relative calm
In a typical city scenario, a homeowner may receive multiple daily calls about insulation, solar panels or energy deals. After registering with Bloctel and blocking prefixes, most of these calls simply never ring.
For vulnerable users, such as the elderly, family members can set up these filters in advance, reducing both stress and financial risk.
Key terms explained simply
- Prefix: the first digits of a number, often linked to its purpose.
- Caller ID and spam app: an Android role that screens calls before they ring.
- Blacklist: a list of numbers or prefixes blocked automatically.
- Voicemail diversion: calls are sent straight to voicemail instead of ringing.
Limits, risks and what comes next
Blocking by prefix requires care. Blocking the wrong range could stop legitimate calls from small businesses or services. Users should stick to ARCEP-identified ranges.
There is also a risk of cat-and-mouse tactics, with abusive marketers shifting numbers or masking their origin. Apps and regulations will need regular updates to stay effective.
Even so, France’s combined approach of consent-based law, controlled number ranges and smartphone tools offers a model that works. For many Android users in France, it already means a rare comfort: a phone that rings only when it truly matters.
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