How to unblock a number on Android: All you need to know

There may come a time when you have a change of heart and decide to unblock a number on your Android. Maybe you overreacted, or you simply miss the person and want to give them a second chance. No matter the reason, it's not hard to unblock a number on your Android smartphone, if you decide to get back in touch with someone you've blocked in the past. This tutorial illustrates how to unblock a number on Android to start receiving calls and messages from it again:

Contents

1. How to unblock a number on Android from the Contacts app
2. How to unblock a number on Android from the Phone app
3. How to unblock a number on Android from the Messages app
4. How many people are on your Blocked numbers list?

NOTE: This guide applies to Android 10, and it was created on a Nokia 5.3 smartphone. If you do not know your Android version, read How to check the Android version on your smartphone or tablet. The procedures are similar on all Android-powered devices, although you might come across some small differences, depending on your device's manufacturer.

How to unblock a number on Android from the Contacts app

If you blocked a number on Android and want to reconnect, we recommend using Contacts to unblock it. Google's Contacts app is the go-to place to unblock a number because it looks the same on all Android devices. To access it, on the Home screen, swipe up to get to the All Apps screen or tap the All apps button, if available.

Swipe up for All Apps

On the All Apps screen, tap on the Contacts app to open it.

Access Contacts

This opens the app, showing all the contacts on your Google Account. Tap on the hamburger button in the top-left corner for more options.

Tap on the hamburger button

In the Contacts menu, access Settings.

Tap on Settings

Next, scroll down to find the Blocked numbers option in the Manage contacts section. Tap on it.

Tap on Blocked numbers

This opens the Blocked numbers list.

Find the number you want to unblock, and then tap on the Clear (X) button next to remove it from the list.

Tap X to get a number off the Blocked numbers list

Confirm your choice in the pop-up by tapping on Unblock.

Finish unblocking the number on Android

The number is immediately removed from the Blocked numbers list, and, at the bottom, you also get a notification informing you of this.

The number is unblocked

How to unblock a number on Android from the Phone app

You can also unblock a number on Android from the Phone app, which is usually handy on the Home screen. Tap on the receiver icon to access it.

Access the Phone app

In the Phone app, tap on the More button, which looks like three dots arranged vertically.

Access More

In the dropdown menu, go to Settings.

Tap on Settings

Next, tap on the Blocked numbers option from the list of available Settings.

Access Blocked numbers

You can now see the Blocked numbers list, which displays all the numbers that can't contact you at the moment. Find the one you want to unblock, and then tap on the Clear (X) button next to it to remove it from the list.

Tap the X next to a number to remove it from Blocked numbers

Tap Unblock to confirm your choice.

Confirm to finish unblocking the number

The number is unblocked, as shown by the notification below, and disappears from the list. You can now receive communications from the person using it.

The number is unblocked

If the number is listed in your call log, it's easier to unblock it from there. Go to the Recents tab of the Phone app.

Any blocked numbers listed there are easy to spot because of the Blocked message and icon next to the entry. Tap on the number you want to unblock.

Tap on a blocked number

This reveals more options under the entry. Tap on Unblock if you want to receive calls and messages from that number again.

Tap on Unblock

Alternatively, you can also touch-and-hold on a blocked number to open a contextual menu. Then, tap Unblock.

Press Unblock from a number's contextual menu

You are asked to confirm your choice. Tap Unblock one more time to finish the process.

Tap Unblock to confirm

The number is now unblocked, and the Blocked message and symbol are no longer displayed next to it.

The unblocked number is listed normally

How to unblock a number on Android from the Messages app

There are several ways to unblock someone from the Messages app, especially if you didn't delete your chat with them. First, access the Messages app from the Home screen or the All Apps screen.

Open Messages

Tap on the More button from the top-right corner to open a menu. Its icon looks like three dots arranged vertically.

Accessing More options

Next, tap on Spam & blocked to access it.

Open Spam & blocked

Tap again on the More button on this screen.

Access More options

The entry you're looking for is Blocked contacts. Tap on it to open the screen with the same name.

Access the Blocked contacts screen

The Blocked numbers screen lists the numbers you blocked. After finding the one you want to unblock, tap on the Clear (X) button to its right.

Tap the X next to a number to remove it from Blocked numbers on your Android

Tapping Unblock confirms your choice.

Confirm to remove the unblock for that number

As shown in the brief notification at the bottom of the screen, the number is unblocked and disappears from the list. You can now receive calls and texts from it again.

You have successfully unblocked the number

On the Spam & blocked screen, you can see the Blocked symbol next to any chat conversation with a blocked number. If you want to unblock that number, tap on it.

Access the chat with the number you want to unblock on your Android

From this screen, you have several options, the most obvious one being to tap on Unblock.

Unblock the number

The number is immediately unblocked, and Android displays a banner at the bottom, letting you know.

The number is now unblocked

You can also open yet another More menu from the upper-right corner and access Details.

Tap on Details

Tapping on Unblock immediately unblocks the number, and you can now receive communications from it.

Tap Unblock

Alternatively, you can choose to tap on the number instead. You are taken to a screen where you can either press the More button, followed by Unblock numbers, or tap on the Blocked icon.

Choose either option to Unblock the number

In the small pop-up that appears, confirm your choice by pressing Unblock.

Tap Unblock

In the chat with the blocked number, you can also press on the Blocked symbol at the bottom to get to the blocked number screen. Then, use one of the two available options to unblock it and confirm your choice, as illustrated above.

Tap the Block icon as an alternative to unblock a number

How many people are on your Blocked numbers list?

We like to get along, so we offer a lot of second chances. For instance, if someone is pestering us with calls, we'd rather send them a quick response and hope they understand. However, there are a couple of numbers where blocking was the only option. What about you? Do you usually block numbers? Now that you also know how to unblock them, how many are left on your Blocked numbers list? Let us know in the comment section.