Robokiller
vs.
T-Mobile Scam Shield

See why thousands of people choose Robokiller over T-Mobile to protect themselves against spam calls.

		T-Mobile Scam Shield
Call identification and blocking	Full spam call blocking	Network-level automated blocking based on global blocklist
Global scammer database	1.5 billion phone numbers	Not listed
Real-time call screening
Block and allow lists
Voicemail	Transcription, visual voicemail	Transcription, visual voicemail
Machine learning	Live audio fingerprinting
Spam-fighting robots
SMS protection

FAQs

What is T-Mobile Scam Shield?

Scam Shield is T-Mobile's spam blocking app. Its goal is to warn users of spam calls and protect them from being scammed using features like Caller ID and proxy numbers that users can give out if they're uncomfortable with revealing their personal numbers. Users should be aware that the app is only available to those with postpaid contracts — prepaid phone users cannot access Scam Shield.

Is T-Mobile Scam Shield app free?

T-Mobile does offer a limited free version of its Scam Shield app, but you'll need to upgrade to the Premium package to access its most important features. Scam Shield Premium costs an additional $4.00 per month for each line, and the cost is tacked onto your monthly bill.

For $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, you can enjoy all of the spam blocking benefits of Robokiller. We'll even start you off with a 7-day free trial.

How does T-Mobile Scam Shield work?

Like many spam call blockers, T-Mobile's Scam Shield denies known scammers based on a global blocklist. Callers that are not in the user's contacts list will be sent to voicemail, and numbers that are in the user's personal blocklist will be shut out altogether and given an error message.

Unfortunately for Scam Shield users, they will not reap the benefits of audio fingerprinting — a technique that allows RoboKiller to track spammers by their voices, not just their phone numbers. This leaves Scam Shield users vulnerable to caller ID spoofing, as well as the same spammers simply using different phone numbers.

Does Scam Shield block legitimate calls?

As T-Mobile concedes on its website, the Scam Shield app may block legitimate calls that the user wants to receive. Unfortunately, their advice for dealing with this issue is simply to disable the app at any time. They also direct businesses to a website where they can register their number as a legitimate caller to avoid being cut off from their customers.

Letting legitimate calls through is just as important as blocking out the bad ones, which is why Robokiller allows its users to fully customize their block and allow lists. We analyze calls in real-time, so you get all the calls you want and none of the ones you don't.

Does Scam Shield block texts?

T-Mobile does provide its users with a way to slow down spam texts, but it has nothing to do with Scam Shield. Primary account holders can turn on the Message Blocking feature in the T-Mobile app or on the website. Unfortunately, this feature blocks texts based on broad categories and has tons of exceptions; it won't block emails sent to your @tmomail.net address or texts from short-code numbers, for example.

The bottom line? Scam Shield itself does little to protect you from spam texts. Robokiller, on the other hand, offers 99% effective protection from both spam texts and calls.