How to unblock a number on your phone

The steps to unblock a number depend on what device you use and whether you blocked it through your phone's built-in tools or through your carrier. On most phones, you can unblock a number in under a minute by going to your blocked contacts list and removing the number from it. Your carrier may also have a separate blocked list that you need to clear if you blocked the number through them instead of through your device.

The fastest way to find your blocked list is to open your phone's settings and search for "blocked" — most phones will show you the blocked contacts or numbers directly. If that does not work, the blocked list is usually nested under call settings or messaging settings, depending on whether you blocked calls, texts, or both.

Key Takeaways

  • On iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts, or Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts, depending on what you blocked.
  • On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three dots, go to Settings > Blocked Numbers, and tap the X next to the number you want to unblock.
  • If you blocked the number through your carrier instead of your phone, you will need to contact them or use their online account portal to remove it.
  • Unblocking a number does not automatically restore old messages or calls — those remain deleted unless you backed them up separately.

Unblocking on iPhone

On iPhone, blocked numbers are stored in two separate places depending on what you blocked. If you blocked calls, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. If you blocked text messages, go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts. If you blocked the number in both places, you will need to unblock it in both.

Once you are in the Blocked Contacts list, swipe left on the number you want to unblock, and tap Unblock. The number will be removed from the blocked list when ready, and you will start receiving calls and messages from that number again. If you do not see the number in the list, it may have been blocked through your carrier instead of through your phone — see the carrier section below.

Unblocking on Android

On Android, the blocked numbers list is in the Phone app. Open the Phone app, tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner, and select Settings. Tap Blocked Numbers (or Blocked Contacts, depending on your phone's version). You will see a list of all numbers you have blocked.

Find the number you want to unblock and tap the X next to it. The number will be removed from the blocked list, and you will receive calls and messages from that number again. If you blocked the number through your messaging app instead of the Phone app, you may need to unblock it separately in your Messages app — check the Messages settings under Blocked Contacts or Blocked Numbers.

Unblocking through your carrier

If you blocked a number through your carrier — such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or another provider — you cannot unblock it through your phone's settings. Instead, you will need to contact your carrier directly or use their online account portal.

Most carriers let you manage blocked numbers through their website or mobile app. Log into your carrier account, look for a section called Call Blocking, Block Manager, or Call Protection, and find the number you want to unblock. The exact steps vary by carrier, so if you cannot find the blocked list, call your carrier's customer service line — they can unblock the number for you over the phone in a few minutes.

What happens after you unblock a number

Once you unblock a number, you will start receiving calls and text messages from that number again when ready. However, unblocking does not restore any messages or calls you received while the number was blocked — those are permanently deleted from your phone unless you backed them up separately.

If the person who called or texted you while you had them blocked needs to reach you again, they will have to contact you a second time. There is no way to recover blocked messages or calls after the fact, so if you think you might need those messages later, consider whether to unblock the number before deleting your backup.

Unblocking a number you no longer recognize

If you blocked a number and cannot remember who it was, you have a few options. First, check your call log or message history — sometimes the contact name or number itself will remind you who it was. If the number is still in your contacts but you blocked it, the contact name will appear next to the number in your blocked list.

If you do not recognize the number and have no record of who it is, you can unblock it and wait to see if they call or text again. You can always block the number again if it turns out to be spam or a robocall. If you are worried about unwanted contact, you can also unblock the number but leave it unmuted — that way you will see the call or message but can choose whether to respond.

Unblocking multiple numbers at once

If you have blocked many numbers and want to clear your entire blocked list, most phones let you unblock numbers one at a time, but not all at once. On iPhone, you will need to swipe left and tap Unblock for each number individually. On Android, you will need to tap the X next to each number.

If you have a very long blocked list and want to start fresh, the fastest option is to reset your phone's network settings, which will clear all blocked numbers. However, this also clears your saved Wi-Fi networks and other connection settings, so it is usually not worth it unless you have a very large list. Contact your carrier if you want to clear a large number of carrier-level blocks — they may be able to do it faster than you can manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I unblock a number if I do not remember blocking it?

Yes. Go to your blocked contacts list and look through it — you may recognize the number or see a contact name next to it. If you do not recognize anything, you can unblock any number from the list and see if they contact you again. You can always block them again if needed.

Will unblocking a number let me see old messages they sent?

No. Messages that arrived while the number was blocked are permanently deleted from your phone. Unblocking only stops new messages from being blocked going forward. If you backed up your phone before blocking the number, you might be able to restore those messages from the backup.

What if I unblock a number and they keep calling me?

You can block the number again when ready. If the calls are unwanted or harassing, you can also report the number to your carrier or to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. Many carriers offer additional call-blocking tools beyond the basic block function.

Do I need to contact my carrier to unblock a number?

Only if you blocked it through your carrier in the first place. If you blocked it through your phone's settings, you can unblock it yourself. If you are not sure which one you used, try unblocking it in your phone settings first — if it is not there, contact your carrier.

Can someone tell if I unblocked them?

No. Unblocking a number is invisible to the other person — they will not receive a notification or message saying you unblocked them. They will only know if you contact them or if they try to call or text and you respond.