Where to find blocked numbers on your Samsung phone
To unblock a phone number on Samsung, you need to open the Phone app, tap the three-line menu icon (called a hamburger menu), and select Settings or Block numbers — the exact name depends on your Samsung model and Android version. From there, you'll see a list of all numbers you've blocked. Find the number you want to unblock and tap it, then select Unblock or Remove from blocked list.
The Phone app is the standard place Samsung stores blocked numbers. If you've blocked someone through a different method — like through your contacts app or a third-party messaging app — you may need to unblock them there instead. But for most people, the Phone app is where the work happens.
Key Takeaways
- Open your Phone app, tap the menu icon, and go to Settings or Block numbers to see your full blocked list.
- Find the number you want to unblock, tap it, and select Unblock or Remove from blocked list.
- If you blocked someone in your Contacts app instead, you'll need to unblock them there by opening their contact card and looking for an unblock option.
- After you unblock a number, that person can call and text you again, and their messages will no longer be filtered.
Step-by-step unblocking in the Phone app
Open the Phone app on your Samsung home screen. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see tabs — usually Recents, Contacts, and Keypad. Look for a menu icon (three horizontal lines) or a More button, usually in the top right corner. Tap it.
From the menu, select Settings or Block numbers — the wording varies by model. You'll now see a list of every number you've blocked. Scroll through until you find the one you want to unblock. Tap the number or the entry next to it. A menu will appear with options including Unblock, Remove, or Delete from blocked list. Tap that option, and the number is unblocked when ready.
Once unblocked, that person's calls will ring through normally, and their text messages will appear in your message threads as usual. You won't see a notification that they've been unblocked — it happens silently on your end.
Unblocking through your Contacts app
If you blocked a number by opening a contact card and selecting a block option there, you'll need to unblock the same way. Open your Contacts app, search for the person's name, and tap their contact card. Look for a button or menu option that says Unblock, Block contact, or Block this contact — tapping it again will toggle the block off.
Some Samsung phones also let you block numbers directly from a text message thread. If you blocked someone that way, open your Messages app, find the conversation, and look for a menu or info button. You should see an option to unblock the contact from there as well.
What happens after you unblock a number
Once a number is unblocked, the person can call you and you'll hear the phone ring. Their calls will no longer go to voicemail automatically. Text messages from them will arrive in your message threads normally, and you'll see notifications for them just like any other contact.
Unblocking does not restore old messages that arrived while the number was blocked — those are typically deleted or hidden permanently, depending on your phone's settings. If you want to keep a record of past conversations, take a screenshot or note before unblocking. Going forward, all new messages will be visible.
Unblocking numbers on Samsung with third-party apps
If you use a third-party call-blocking or messaging app — like Google Messages, WhatsApp, or a dedicated call-blocking service — blocked numbers may be stored there instead of in your phone's native Phone app. Open the app where you blocked the number, look for a Blocked contacts or Blocked numbers section in settings, find the entry, and select Unblock.
Be aware that blocking in one app doesn't block in another. For example, if you block someone in WhatsApp, they can still call you through the native Phone app. You'll need to manage blocks separately in each app you use.
If you can't find the blocked numbers list
On older Samsung phones or certain Android versions, the blocked numbers menu may be in a different location. Try opening the Phone app and looking for Settings > Call settings > Block numbers. If that doesn't work, open Settings (the system settings, not the Phone app settings) and search for "block" — you may find a Blocked contacts or Call blocking option there.
If you still can't locate the list, your phone may store blocks in your Google Account instead. Open Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Data & privacy, and look for a blocking or safety section. The exact path depends on your Android version, but Google's blocking system syncs across devices, so unblocking there will affect all your Samsung phones using that account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I unblocked them?
No. Unblocking is silent — the person won't receive a notification or any indication that you've unblocked their number. They'll only know if they try to call or text and suddenly reach you again.
Can I block and unblock the same number multiple times?
Yes. You can block and unblock any number as many times as you want. There's no limit, and doing so won't damage your phone or affect your account.
What if I blocked a number by accident?
Follow the same unblocking steps above. Open the Phone app, go to blocked numbers, find the entry, and tap Unblock. It takes about 30 seconds to reverse.
Do blocked messages ever come through after I unblock?
No. Messages that arrived while a number was blocked are typically deleted or hidden permanently. Unblocking only affects new messages going forward. If you need to recover old conversations, check your phone's trash or recently deleted folder, though most phones don't keep a separate trash for messages.
If I unblock someone, will old text threads reappear?
It depends on your phone's settings. Some Samsung phones hide blocked conversations entirely, while others keep them but mark them as blocked. When you unblock, hidden threads may reappear, but deleted ones won't come back. Check your Messages app after unblocking to see if the conversation is still there.