How to Unblock a Number on an Android Phone

Restore callers to your good graces

By
Susan Owens
Susan J. Owens
Writer
Former Lifewire writer Susan J. Owens is a tech writer focused on AI, blockchain, and virtual machines. Her work appears in InformationWeek, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company.
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Susan J. Owens
Updated January 27, 2020

When you block someone's calls, you also block their ability to send you texts. After you've blocked someone's phone number on your cellphone, maybe as part of a ghosting effort, you may later decide that you aren't really that annoyed with the person.

The steps outlined below are specific to Android 8.1.0 as it comes on a Google phone. On a modified version of Android, like a Samsung smartphone or one from another hardware maker, the specific steps may vary but should be similar. If you have an iPhone (or iPad), here's how to unblock a number on the iPhone.

Unblock a Phone Number

Here's how to get those calls and text messages back:

  1. Tap or search for Phone and open it.

  2. Once Phone is open, tap the Menu button (located in the upper-right corner), then tap Settings.

    The menu looks like three stacked dots. Don't tap the menu on your contact cards.

  3. From the Phone app Settings menu, locate and tap Call blocking from the list of options.

    Call Blocking settings on Android

  4. The Blocked numbers screen contains the list of numbers you blocked. Locate the one (or more) that you want to unblock and tap the X to the right of it.

  5. In the small pop-up that appears next, confirm that you want to unblock this number by tapping UNBLOCK. If you chose wrong or changed your mind, tap CANCEL.

    Unblocking a number on Android

  6. Moving forward, calls to your Android phone from the number you unblock will ring through just like other calls.