How to unblock a number on your Android phone (2024)

You've likely received unwanted calls during busy hours of the day. Instead of permanently silencing your phone, you block the phone number to prevent the person on the other end of the line from contacting you. Blocking numbers lessens the number of telemarketers, scammers, and unknown contacts ringing your line. But mistakes can happen; you've blocked the wrong phone number or changed your mind. Fortunately, there's a way to easily unblock phone numbers from any working Android phone. This tutorial demonstrates how to remove someone's phone number from the blocked list.

The Phone by Google app is the default dialer for most Android phones. If you have a separate dialer app for your phone, you can download Google's phone app and make it the default for most Android phones. The app lets you quickly see the numbers you blocked on your Android phone and block and unblock calls from the Recent Callers screen.

But to learn more on how to unblock a number from the Recent Callers screen, keep reading below:

1. Open the Phone app from your homescreen or app drawer.
2. Tap the More (three-dot) icon to open the Settings menu.
3. Tap Settings from the options.

   

   

4. Navigate to the Blocked numbers option.
5. Tap the red dash next to the number you want to unblock.

   

   

How to unblock contacts from the Recent calls menu

The steps above can be lengthy for some. If you blocked a recent caller on your Android phone, you can unblock it from the Recent menu. Google shows a block icon beside such contacts.

1. Open the Phone app and move to the Recent tab at the bottom.
2. Check the block icon beside such contacts and unknown numbers.
3. Select Unblock. Confirm the same from the pop-up menu.

   

   

Google's Contacts app also ships with most Android phones. It can be downloaded from the Play Store on most Android phones. It allows you to block saved and unknown numbers that haven't called you recently. However, it also allows you to see and unblock all contacts. To use it:

1. Open the Google Contacts app.
2. Switch to the Fix & manage tab in the lower-right corner of the screen.
3. Select Blocked numbers from the Other tools section.
4. Tap the red dash next to a number to unblock it.

   

   

Unblock contacts from the Messages app

Just as you can block numbers from sending text messages, you can also unblock them. Here's how:

1. Launch the Google Messages app.
2. Tap the the profile icon.
3. Select Spam & blocked from the options.

   

   

4. Tap the message (and sender) you wish to unblock.
5. Select Unblock from the pop-up dialog box above the message history.

   

   

The blocked messages screen only shows contacts that previously sent you a text and were blocked through the Messages app. To see all your blocked contacts, including those restricted from the Phone or Contacts app, tap the three-dot menu icon on the Spam and blocked page and select Blocked numbers.

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Samsung Galaxy phones come pre-loaded with their own phones, contacts, and messages app. If you're using the default Samsung apps that came with the phone, you can unblock contacts using steps similar to Google and third-party apps.

Turn off the spam filter and turn on unidentified callers

Do you often miss important calls from your local bank or credit card company? The default Phone app has a spam filter that may block necessary calls without your consent. You should make relevant tweaks to never miss a single call.

1. Launch the Phone app.
2. Tap the three-dot menu at the top and select Settings.
3. Tap Caller ID and spam and turn off the Filter spam calls toggle.

   

   

4. Go back and select Blocked numbers.
5. Turn off the Unknown toggle.

   

   

6. From now on, the Phone app won't block calls from unidentified callers.

Due to better spam protection and advanced functionality, third-party apps like Truecaller are popular in specific regions. If you use one of such apps, the steps to unblock a number may differ. Let's take Truecaller as an example here.

1. Launch Truecaller on your phone.
2. Tap the three-dot menu at the top and select Settings.
3. Open the Block menu.

   

   

4. Turn off the Block top spammers, Block hidden numbers, Block numbers from foreign countries, and Block numbers not in the phonebook toggles.
5. Select Manage Block List at the bottom and unblock a number.

   

What happens when you unblock a number on an Android phone

You should also understand the consequences of unblocking a number on your Android phone. The person can now reach you via calls and messages all the time. If you turn off spam protection on your phone, be prepared to receive unnecessary calls from telemarketers and advertisers. You can also block these calls and contacts or turn on Do Not Disturb mode during work hours.

What about receiving old text messages from your previously blocked contact? Blocked messages will not come through after you've unblocked a number. You'd have to find the Spam & Blocked folder on your phone or in your respective messaging app.

How to unblock a number on WhatsApp

When you use the steps above and unblock a number on your Android phone, you'll receive normal text messages and calls over your carrier network. However, instant messaging apps like WhatsApp are more popular due to privacy options, ease of use, and a long list of functionalities. If you blocked someone on such platforms, the steps to unblock a contact differ from one app to another. Let's take WhatsApp as an example.

1. Launch WhatsApp and tap the three-dot menu at the top.
2. Select Settings.
3. Tap Privacy and select Blocked contacts.

   

   

4. Tap a contact and unblock the person.

   

   

Say you blocked the contact of a friend or colleague and later decided to delete the number from your contacts list. What happens? Does your phone automatically unblock the number or not?

Deleting a contact on Android (and even iOS) doesn't remove it from your block list. Instead, the phone number remains in the block list without the name. To unblock the number, follow the steps in any of the previous sections.

Can you unblock yourself from someone else's phone?

If you have confirmation that someone has blocked your contact on their phone, there's no way to unblock yourself remotely using any of your devices. To unblock your number, you need to either have physical access to the person's phone or talk the situation through with them and have them reverse the action.

You can get blocked, too

There are many reasons to block a number, such as telemarketing, spam calls, potential scammers, or personal issues. But sometimes, you'll face a situation where you're on the other side, that you were the person that someone has intentionally or accidentally blocked. So, to give you peace of mind, it is possible to confirm if someone has blocked your number.