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Blocked a number and changed your mind? This step-by-step guide explains how to unblock a number on your Android phone so you can reconnect. Whether it’s an ex or a number you wrongly suspected was spam, unblocking takes just a few steps. But first, install powerful security and anti-scam software to help protect your device against potential threats.
To unblock a number, open the Menu in your phone app, click Settings, and tap Block numbers. You’ll see a list of blocked numbers that you can choose to unblock. Here’s a more detailed explanation of how to unblock a number on an Android:
Open the phone app on your Android device.
Click the three vertical dots to open the menu, then click Settings.
Tap Block Numbers to display a list of the numbers you have blocked.
Tap the red dash icon next to the blocked number you want to unblock.
And that’s it — you can now receive calls and messages from the unblocked number.
While blocking spam calls can help keep you safer from vishing attempts like tech support scams, it’s possible to block a perfectly legitimate number by accident. Unblocking ensures you won’t miss important updates or opportunities to reconnect.
You can also unblock numbers directly from the Recents tab of your phone app. Here’s how to unblock a number from your recent call list on an Android phone:
Open the phone app and tap the Recents tab at the bottom of your screen.
Tap the number you want to unblock.
Click the menu icon at the bottom right.
Tap the Unblock option at the bottom of your screen.
Notice that at the bottom of the screen, the Unblock button has changed to a Block button, and the blocked icon next to the number (or name) has disappeared. This confirms that you can now receive calls and messages from this number. These steps apply to both saved contacts and telemarketers.
It’s also possible to unblock calls from private or unknown numbers in the Call settings of your phone app. This setting controls whether you can receive calls from numbers that have caller ID disabled. It doesn’t affect calls from numbers that simply aren’t saved in your contacts.
Here’s how to unblock no caller ID numbers:
Open the phone app on your Android phone.
Tap the three-dot menu icon at the top-right of your screen, then tap Settings.
Tap Block numbers and toggle Block calls from unknown numbers near the top of the screen to off.
The caller won’t be notified that they’ve been blocked or unblocked, but certain clues may give it away. For instance, a blocked call goes to voicemail after one ring — though this can also happen if the recipient’s phone is off or in airplane mode.
You might encounter a few common problems when trying to unblock someone, including synchronization issues, carrier restrictions, and third-party app complications. It’s usually a straightforward process, but here’s a closer look at some problems you may run into, and how to fix them:
Synchronization issues: A synchronization issue could prevent calls from coming through even once you’ve unblocked a number. Try restarting your phone. If this isn’t the only time your phone is behaving sluggishly, follow this guide to cure your slow Android.
Full cache: Too much temporary data stored on your phone can lead to performance problems — if that’s the case it’s time to clear your cache.
Viruses: A virus or malware could be interfering with your phone’s settings. Running a security scan with Avast Free Antivirus and removing viruses or other threats on your Android may help restore normal functionality.
Carrier restrictions: Your phone carrier may restrict certain numbers it believes to be spam. If you’re expecting a call, and you suspect it has been flagged as spam by your carrier, check your service provider’s app or contact your phone carrier.
Third-party apps: You may have blocked someone’s number in another app you use for calling, like WhatsApp. To unblock a number on WhatsApp, open the three-dot menu in the top-right > Settings > Privacy > Blocked contacts. Then click on the number you want to unblock.
Parental controls: If you’ve set up parental controls on your child’s phone via a third-party app, check the settings to see if you’ve blocked all incoming calls from unknown numbers.
Differences among Android models: Not all Android phones have the same interface. If the above steps didn’t work for you, look for a guide for your phone’s specific model.
Blocking suspicious numbers is a smart way to avoid scam calls that may lead to phishing attempts or other security threats.
For added peace of mind when unblocking a number, use Avast Free Antivirus to safeguard your phone and personal data against malware and unsafe links sent by malicious contacts with powerful, award-winning protection that works silently in the background, 24/7.
