How to Unblock a Number on Android

To unblock a number on Android, open the Phone app, tap the three-dot menu, then Settings > Blocked numbers, and tap the X or Unblock next to the number. On Samsung Galaxy phones, the path is Phone > three dots > Settings > Block numbers. Menu names vary a little by phone.

This guide covers the Google Phone app (Pixel, Motorola, OnePlus, and many others), Samsung Galaxy phones, the Messages and Contacts apps, and carrier block lists. A number can be blocked in more than one of these places, so if calls or texts still don’t come through, check each one.

Google Phone App (Pixel and Many Others)

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot More menu, then Settings.
3. Tap Blocked numbers. Result: a list of every number you’ve blocked appears.
4. Tap the X (Clear) next to the number, then Unblock. Result: the number disappears from the list and can call you again.

These steps follow Google’s Phone app help. Google notes that calls you got while the number was blocked won’t show up in your call history, and some steps need Android 6.0 or later.

Unblock from your call history

If the number called you before, open the Phone app, go to Recents (or Call history), and tap or touch and hold the number. If it’s blocked, you’ll see Unblock; tap it and confirm.

Samsung Galaxy

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap the three dots (More options), then Settings.
3. Tap Block numbers. Result: your blocked list appears.
4. Tap the red minus sign next to the number. Result: it’s removed from the list.

Samsung also lets you unblock a saved contact from the Contacts app: open the contact, tap More, and tap Unblock contact. On the same Block numbers screen, check whether Block calls from unknown numbers is on; when it is, private and unknown callers are blocked.

Unblock Text Messages

Google Messages

1. Open Google Messages.
2. Tap your profile photo or icon (or More options), then Spam & blocked.
3. Select the contact or conversation.
4. Tap Unblock. Result: Google says the spam report is removed and the conversation moves back to your main list.

See Google’s Messages help for details.

Samsung Messages

Open Samsung Messages, tap the three dots, then Settings > Block numbers and spam > Block numbers, and remove the number from the list. Samsung’s guide says this list controls who can text you, so remove the number here if texts still don’t arrive.

Unblock in the Google Contacts App

Google Contacts has its own view of your blocked list. Open Contacts, tap Fix & manage, choose Blocked numbers, and tap the minus or X next to the number. It usually shows the same blocked list as the Phone app.

Still Blocked? Check These Settings

• Unknown callers: on the Google Phone app’s Blocked numbers screen, Google says the Unknown switch blocks calls from private or unidentified numbers. Turn it off to let them ring again. Our guide on how to block private numbers on a Google Pixel 4a explains what that switch does and does not block.
• Spam filtering: the Phone app’s caller ID and spam settings (or Samsung’s Smart Call) can send suspected spam straight to voicemail. Check those settings if a legitimate number keeps getting filtered.
• Do Not Disturb: if calls ring silently, check that Do Not Disturb or a Focus mode isn’t on.
• Carrier apps: carrier tools such as Verizon Call Filter, T-Mobile Scam Shield, and AT&T ActiveArmor can block numbers separately from your phone. Open your carrier’s app and remove the number from that list too.
• Third-party apps: call-blocking apps keep their own block lists. Unblock the number in that app, or uninstall it.

If you want to keep your own number off another person’s incoming-call screen, that uses outgoing caller ID controls. See our guide to hiding your number when calling on Android for supported Samsung and carrier options.

What Happens After You Unblock a Number

• The person can call and text you again right away.
• Calls and texts sent while the number was blocked aren’t delivered later, and blocked calls don’t appear in your history, according to Google.
• The other person isn’t notified that you unblocked them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I get messages sent while the number was blocked?

No. Calls and texts sent while blocked aren’t delivered later.

Does unblocking notify the other person?

No.

Why are private or unknown callers still blocked?

Check the Unknown switch on the Blocked numbers screen (on Samsung, Block calls from unknown numbers). When it’s on, calls from private or unidentified numbers are blocked. Turn it off to let them ring again.

Does deleting a contact unblock it?

Not necessarily. The number can stay on the blocked list. Check Blocked numbers in the Phone app.

How do I unblock a number on an iPhone?

Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts. See how to see blocked numbers on iPhone and how to unblock a contact on iPhone. If calls were going to voicemail, here’s how to check voicemail on Android. If the mailbox filled up while the number was blocked, see how to clear voicemail on Android. To keep your conversations from disappearing, see how to stop your Android phone from deleting old messages.