Tech Reference

How to unblock a blocked number on an Android phone

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It's easy to block and unblock numbers on an Android device. Crystal Cox/Business Insider
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It used to be that the only people who could call your cell phone were people that you personally gave your phone number to. Now, though, your number goes all over the place — and as a result, you may have noticed that you're receiving a lot more unwanted calls than you used to.

If there's one particularly annoying number that keeps calling you, all you need to do is to block the number. Blocked calls on an Android will go straight to voicemail, and texts won't be delivered.

And if you later realize that you actually need to hear from that number, you can unblock them just as easily.

Here's how to do both, using your Android's built-in Phone app.

How to block a phone number on an Android

With so many different phones out today, there are several ways to block a number on Android. Here's one of the most common ways.

1. Open the Phone app.

2. Tap the three dot icon in the upper-right corner to open the menu.

How to unblock a number on Android   1
Open the menu using the three dots in the upper-right corner.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

3. From the menu, choose "Settings."

How to unblock a number on Android   2
Tap "Settings."  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

4. In the settings menu, scroll down until you find "Blocked numbers." Tap it.

How to unblock a number on Android   3
Scroll down and tap "Blocked numbers."  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

5. At the top of the blocked numbers list, tap "Add a number."

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Tap the "ADD A NUMBER" button.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

6. Enter the phone number you want to block, then tap "Block" to complete the action.

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Enter the number to block, and confirm.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

How to unblock a phone number on an Android

If you block a number by mistake, or your circumstances change and you no longer need to block the person from calling or texting you, unblocking is even easier than blocking.

1. Return to the list of blocked numbers, find the one you no longer want blocked, and tap the "X" button next to it.

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Tap the "X" next to the number you want to unblock.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

2. Confirm that you want to unblock the number by tapping "Unblock."

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Tap "Unblock" in the pop-up window to confirm.  Melanie Weir/Business Insider

Going forward, you'll receive calls and texts from that number again.

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Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at melanie.weir1008@gmail.com, or through LinkedIn.