Q1. What does SMSSilencer do?

A1. SMSSilencer lets you screen or filter out annoying text messages from anyone you don't care to hear from. The home screen in the app lists some of its possible uses.

Q2. Can SMSSilencer save me money on text message charges?

A2. No. All SMSSilencer can do is to prevent incoming text messages from the places you specify from being displayed on your phone's notification bar, or from ringing your phone when a message comes in. By the time someone has sent the message through your mobile phone provider's network, it's too late for any text filtering app to catch it after the fact, and your account will already have been charged. The only reliable ways to ensure nuisance texts don't reach you in a way that won't count against your text messaging quota are to (a) tell the source you have a different phone number, or (b) actually get a different phone number.

If, however, you have one of the popular "unlimited everything" plans, this will not be an issue for you.

Q3. How does the widget part of the app work?

A3. The SMSSilencer widget lets you conveniently switch text message filtering on or off as you wish. Tap the left button to toggle protection. If it shows a green icon, filtering is not active. If it shows a red icon, then filtering is active.

Q4. Is there any way to export messages to a file?

A4. Yes! SMSSilencer you export messages to a file in CSV (comma-separated values) format for use in spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel. You can then manipulate or reformat the data in other ways.

Q5. How do I add a new filter?

A5. From the app's home screen, tap the Filters button. Then, on the Filters screen, press the Menu button below the screen on your handset. You'll see the option "New Filter". Tap that, and you'll see the New Filter screen.

You can then enter your information in two ways. If you want to make a filter based on a contact in your phone's Contacts list, then tap the Contacts button and tap a name. The fields will automatically be filled. Or you can enter the information manually using the on-screen keyboard.

You can choose to send messages directly to the "trash" where you'll never see them, or you may log messages to the Message Log to export later. It's your choice.

Use the Remarks field to remind you why you don't want to hear from this phone number or e-mail.

Tap the Save button to save your new filter.

Q6. Suppose I want to change or edit a filter? How do I do that?

A6. Go to the Filters screen and choose the line you want to change. Press and hold your finger on the line to change, and you'll see a pop-up menu. Choose "Edit Filter" and you'll see the Edit Filter screen. You can then make any changes and tap the Save button.

Q7. Suppose I want to delete a filter? How do I do that?

A7. Go to the Filters screen and choose the line you want to change. Press and hold your finger on the line to change, and you'll see a pop-up menu. Choose "Delete Filter". You'll see a message asking you to confirm the action, after which point the filter will disappear.

Q8. Why don't I see trashed messages appear in the Message Log?

A8. Trashed messages are deleted immediately. They are not saved to the Message Log. If you want to log messages, you'll need to choose "Save To Log" on the New Filter or Edit Filter screen, but those text messages will appear or sound on your phone.

Q9. What's the purpose of the Message Log?

A9. Different users of SMSSilencer will find different uses for the Message Log. The Message Log can be used to, perhaps, illustrate when someone in particular is being a nuisance - whether to present as evidence for a legal or professional authority. That's the reason the Message Log has an export feature - the resulting file will show the message, its source, and the time and date it was received.

Q10. How do I clear the Message Log?

A10. Press the Menu button under the screen on your Android handset, and choose the option "Clear Log". After confirming your action, the log will be emptied of all contents. It is suggested you Export the Message Log before you clear it.

Q11. How do I export the Message Log?

A11. Press the Menu button under the screen on your Android handset, and choose the option "Export". The Message Log contents will be written to a CSV (comma-separated values) file, to your Android handset's SD card (required for using this feature). All files are timestamped with the date and time of the export, and are in the folder "smssilencer" from the root directory of the SD card.

Q12. How do I get Help?

A12. On any screen except the home screen, press the Menu button under the screen on your Android handset, and choose the option "Help". To return to the previous screen, tap "Back" at the bottom of the Help text.