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phone masking, voicemail privacy, Relay

Learn how to fix issues with receiving calls or texts, protect your name and voicemail privacy when using a Firefox Relay phone mask.

There may be a few reasons if you're not receiving texts or phone calls on your Relay phone masking number. This guide will help you troubleshoot common issues such as blocked numbers, STOP messages, or device-level filtering, so you can start receiving forwarded messages and calls again. __TOC__ =Troubleshoot phone masking issues with calls or texts= ==Check if you replied with STOP== Replying “STOP” to any forwarded message from your Relay number disables message forwarding. This blocks all future texts from Relay. #Open your Messages app. #Look for the most recent forwarded text from Relay. #If you replied with '''STOP''', text '''START''' to the same conversation to resume message forwarding. {note}'''Tip''': Save your Relay number to your contacts so you don’t accidentally block it.{/note} ==Check for blocked numbers in Relay dashboard== You may have accidentally blocked the sender's number in your Relay dashboard. #Go to your [https://relay.firefox.com/ Relay dashboard]. #Click on the {button Phone} tab. #Scroll to the {menu Blocked numbers} section. #Look for the number in question. #If the number is listed, click {button Unblock} next to it. {note}'''Note''': The “Action” column in the dashboard shows the option you can take (for example "Unblock"), not the current status.{/note} [[Image:relay]] ==Check your remaining minutes or texts== If you've run out of available minutes or texts, forwarding will stop until your plan resets. #Log in to your [https://relay.firefox.com/ Relay dashboard]. #Go to the {menu Plan usage} section. #Check your remaining minutes and texts. {note}'''Note''': One long call can use up all your minutes.{/note} ==Check your phone's spam or call filtering settings== Your device may be filtering out Relay messages or calls. ===On iPhone=== #Go to {menu Settings} > {menu Messages} > {menu Unknown & Spam}. #Go to {menu Settings} > {menu Phone} > {menu Call Blocking & Identification}. Official Apple links: *[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111106 Detect and block spam phone calls – Apple Support] *[https://support.apple.com/en-us/111104 Block, filter, and report messages on iPhone – Apple Support] ===On Android=== #Open the {menu Phone app} → Tap {menu Settings} > {menu Caller ID & spam} #Open {menu Messages} → {menu Tap Settings} > {menu Spam protection} Google support articles: *[https://support.google.com/phoneapp/answer/3459196 Use caller ID & spam protection – Phone app Help] *[https://www.android.com/google-messages/ Google Messages spam detection] ==Test if your Relay number is working== #'''Ask a friend or family member''' (not the number linked to your mask) to call or text your Relay number. #'''Open your Relay dashboard''' and check if the call or message counter increases: #*If the counter increases but nothing appears on your phone, your '''mobile carrier may be blocking''' the message or call. #*Contact your carrier and ask them to allow forwarded messages and calls from your Relay number. #**For example, Verizon users should check their [https://www.verizon.com/solutions-and-services/add-ons/protection-and-security/call-filter/ Call Filter] settings. #'''If the counter does not increase''', the website or service may be '''blocking VOIP numbers''' like Relay. #'''Check the following settings to rule out other issues''': #*Review your '''Relay block list''' to ensure the number isn't blocked. #*Confirm you haven't reached your '''monthly plan limit''' for texts or minutes. #*Check your '''phone's spam or call filtering settings''' for blocked or silenced numbers. #If you still cannot receive messages or calls, contact Mozilla Support. =Protect voicemail privacy with phone masking= When someone calls your Firefox Relay phone mask and you miss the call, it gets forwarded to your actual phone number. If your voicemail includes your real name or personal details, this could reveal your identity — even though the Relay number was meant to keep you private. Since voicemail is a carrier-level feature, Relay can’t modify it or hide your identity. {warning}'''Warning''': Relay hides your phone number, but not your voicemail message.{/warning} ==Best practices for protecting your voicemail privacy== *'''Change your voicemail greeting to avoid including your name or phone number'''. **Use a generic message like “Hi, please leave a message,” rather than stating your full name or contact details. *'''Be aware that some carriers may include your actual phone number in the automated voicemail greeting'''. **Check your settings or contact your carrier to disable this if possible. *'''Record a custom voicemail greeting instead of using the default one'''. **This gives you full control over what callers hear if they reach your voicemail. {note}'''Tip''': If you're unsure whether your number is mentioned in your voicemail automatically, call yourself from a different phone and listen to the message.{/note} =Related articles= *[[Subscribe to Firefox Relay Premium]] *[[Register your own domain with Firefox Relay Premium]] *[[Mask your phone number with Relay Phone Masking]]