- NordVPN has launched HangUp, a free Android app for anti-scam calls
- HangUp just needs a free Nord account to get started
- The app is built on NordVPN’s existing call protection technology
NordVPN has released HangUp, a standalone Android app designed to identify and block unwanted calls that is completely free to use.
HangUp identifies and categorizes incoming calls, displays caller details and lets users block entire categories such as scam or telemarketing calls. It’s a notable move from a company better known for topping the best VPN lists, and it signals another step in NordVPN’s shift towards becoming an all-in-one security brand.
NordVPN research says 2 out of 5 Americans feel insecure about scam calls, and for many people dodging fraudulent numbers has become a daily chore rather than an occasional annoyance.
“Scam calls are a fundamental digital security issue at this point, and we felt that basic protection shouldn’t be behind a paywall,” NordVPN’s spokesperson told TechRadar, explaining why the company decided to build a free app.
The app is available worldwide on the Google Play Store, and NordVPN confirms to TechRadar that they are working on making it available for iOS soon.
Why a free call blocking app is necessary
The status of spam calls varies depending on where you live, but according to NordVPN’s survey, nearly two in five Americans say they feel unsafe due to scam calls.
Plus, according to Hiya’s State of the Call 2026 report, Americans receive an average of 10 unwanted calls per week, and nearly 30 million lost money to a phone scam in the past year, with an average loss of $682.
How HangUp works
Powered by NordVPN, HangUp uses caller reputation data to flag potentially harmful numbers before you decide whether to answer. When a call comes in, the app checks the number, alerts you if it looks like spam or a telemarketing attempt, and can sort callers by type so you know what you’re dealing with at a glance.
The blocking works at the category level, so instead of blacklisting numbers one by one, you can choose to automatically block entire groups such as scam or telemarketing calls.
HangUp can also handle this blocking for you automatically, and it stores weekly, monthly and yearly statistics so you can see how many unwanted calls it has stopped.
The provider already offers a call protection feature built into the main NordVPN app, which flags suspected scam calls before you answer and requires a premium subscription. This feature was developed in partnership with Hiya and has been rolled out to Android and iPhone users across a growing list of countries.
HangUp, on the other hand, is a separate, standalone app that doesn’t need a paid NordVPN plan at all. It brings the same core idea, warning you about and blocking dodgy callers, to anyone willing to sign up for a free Nord account.
Getting started is straightforward.
Download HangUp from the Google Play Store on your Android phone, log in with a free Nord account (or create one on Nord’s website if you don’t have one), and give the app caller id and spam permissions it should screen your calls.
Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews and opinions in your feeds. Be sure to click the Follow button!
