How do I let certain contacts ring when Do Not Disturb is on?

Open Do Not Disturb settings and allow calls from starred or favorite contacts. Star the people who should get through, then turn on Allow repeat callers so a second call in about 15 minutes can ring too. Menu names differ by phone, but the idea is the same on Samsung, Pixel, and Motorola.

Steps to check

1. Star or favorite the contacts who should get through

   Do Not Disturb usually lets through starred contacts, favorite contacts, or a list you pick, not every name in your address book. Open the Contacts app, tap a person who should be able to reach you, and tap the star or Favorites control so they are marked. Repeat for each person on your short list. If you cannot find a star, search Settings for Favorites or Starred, or use the phone's search box inside Contacts.

2. Open Do Not Disturb (or Modes) settings

   Swipe down from the top of the screen and touch and hold the Do Not Disturb tile. That opens its settings. You can also open the Settings app and search for Do Not Disturb. On newer Android phones this lives under Modes. Leave Do Not Disturb on if you want quiet nights. You are only changing who can break through.

   • Samsung Quick settings → touch and hold Do not disturb. Or Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb. Sleep and other Modes and Routines can also silence calls, so check those too.
   • Pixel Quick Settings → touch and hold Do Not Disturb. Or Settings → Modes → Do Not Disturb (older versions: Settings → Sound & vibration → Do Not Disturb).

3. Allow calls from starred, favorite, or selected contacts

   Look for People, Calls, or Calls and messages. Choose starred contacts, favorite contacts, contacts only, or a custom list of selected contacts. That tells the phone which callers may ring while everyone else stays silent. You can set messages the same way if you also want texts from those people. Names can differ by phone, so use the wording you see.

   • Samsung Under Allowed during Do not disturb, tap Calls and messages. Choose Favorite contacts only, Contacts only, Allow only select contacts (then Add contacts), or All. You can also set Calls separately to Favorite contacts only.
   • Pixel Under Notification filters, tap People. For Calls, choose Starred contacts (or Contacts, or Anyone). Do the same for Messages if you want texts from those people too.

4. Turn on Allow repeat callers

   If someone important calls from a number that is not starred, a second call soon after can still ring. Google, Samsung, and Motorola all describe this as allowing a call when the same person calls twice within about 15 minutes. In the same People or Calls settings, turn on Allow repeat callers (Samsung may say Repeat callers). This is a good backup for family calling from a new or borrowed phone.

5. On Motorola, check Modes and face-down Do Not Disturb

   Motorola help puts the same People filters under Settings → Modes → Do Not Disturb → Notification filters. Choose starred contacts for calls (and messages if you want). Some Motorola phones also turn on Do Not Disturb when you flip the phone face down. That gesture still respects your People exceptions, so starred contacts can ring even when the phone is face down, as long as the filters allow them.

6. Check bedtime or Sleep mode uses the same exceptions

   A bedtime, Sleep, or custom mode can silence calls on its own schedule, separate from the Do Not Disturb tile. Open that mode and set its People or Calls exceptions the same way (starred or favorites, plus repeat callers). On Samsung, if Sleep mode is on, edit that mode's call exceptions too. Then test with a second phone from a starred contact while the mode is on.

Normal vs. not

Common questions

What is the difference between starred contacts and all contacts?

Starred (or favorite) contacts are the ones you marked. Choosing them keeps Do Not Disturb mostly quiet. Choosing all contacts lets anyone saved in your address book through, which is louder.

Will alarms still go off if I allow only certain callers?

Usually yes, if alarms are allowed in Do Not Disturb. That setting is separate from People. Check Alarms and other interruptions (or Alarms and sounds on Samsung) and leave alarms on.

Can I allow certain contacts only at night?

Yes, by using a schedule. Set Do Not Disturb or a Sleep or Bedtime mode to turn on for nighttime hours, and put your People exceptions on that mode. Outside those hours the phone can ring normally.

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