Quick Answer
You can make your Android phone ring during Do Not Disturb (DND) by allowing call exceptions. Go to Settings > Notifications (or Sound) > Do Not Disturb, then allow calls from Contacts or Starred contacts and enable Repeat callers. Add essential people to your Favorites/Starred list so their calls bypass DND. For WhatsApp and similar apps, open the app’s notification settings and, if available, turn on “Allow during Do Not Disturb” for the Incoming calls channel so internet calls can ring too.
How Do Not Disturb Works on Android
Do Not Disturb silences alerts, but it’s built to let important interruptions through. Android groups interruptions into categories such as People (calls and messages), Apps (notifications), and Alarms. Your DND call setting—Everyone, Contacts, Starred contacts only, or None—controls whether the ringer sounds during DND. The optional Repeat callers rule lets a second call from the same number ring within a short window (commonly 15 minutes) to help with emergencies.
Set Up Call Exceptions So Your Phone Rings
1) Allow calls from Contacts or Starred contacts
Exact menu names vary, but the flow is similar across devices:
- Open Settings and search for “Do Not Disturb.” It’s usually under Notifications or Sound & vibration.
- Tap Do Not Disturb and open the People or Exceptions section.
- Tap Calls and choose who can reach you: From anyone, Contacts, Starred contacts only, or None.
- Enable Repeat callers so a second call from the same number within about 15 minutes can ring.
Choosing Contacts allows any saved contact to ring. Choosing Starred contacts limits bypass to your Favorites, which is better if you want only a small group to get through.
2) Star the people who must always get through
After selecting “Starred contacts only,” pick who those people are:
- Open the Contacts or Phone app and locate the person.
- Tap the star/favorite icon (or Add to Favorites). On most phones, Favorites in the Phone app equals Starred in Contacts.
Repeat for anyone you want to bypass DND. You can change this list anytime.
3) Enable Repeat callers for urgent back-to-back calls
Turn on Repeat callers to let a second call from the same number ring within a set window (often 15 minutes). This is helpful if an unsaved or unstarred number needs to reach you in an emergency. Some manufacturers let you adjust the window; others keep it fixed.
Brand-Specific Paths and Names
Menu names differ by Android version and manufacturer. Use the Settings search bar if the wording is slightly different on your phone.
| Brand/UI | Menu path (typical) | Calls options | Repeat callers label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Pixel (Android 12–15) | Settings > Notifications > Do Not Disturb > People > Calls | From anyone / Contacts / Starred contacts only / None | Allow repeat callers (within 15 min) |
| Samsung One UI | Settings > Notifications > Do not disturb > Exceptions > Calls from | All / Contacts / Favourites only / None | Allow repeat callers |
| OnePlus (OxygenOS 12–14) | Settings > Notifications (or Sound) > Do Not Disturb > People > Calls | From anyone / Contacts / Starred contacts only / None | Allow repeat callers |
| Xiaomi MIUI/HyperOS | Settings > Notifications & Control center > Do not Disturb > Exceptions | Allow calls from: Everyone / Contacts / Favourites | Allow repeated calls |
| Motorola/Stock-like | Settings > Sound & vibration > Do Not Disturb > People | From anyone / Contacts / Starred contacts only / None | Allow repeat callers |
Make App-Based Calls Ring (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
VoIP and internet calling apps obey DND unless their incoming-call notification channel is allowed to bypass it. Many support this; some don’t.
- Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps > [App name] > Notifications.
- Open the Incoming calls or Calls channel.
- If available, enable Allow during Do Not Disturb, Override Do Not Disturb, or Allow as exception (Samsung wording).
If no bypass toggle appears, the app can’t ring through DND. Workarounds include asking the person to call your regular number, or scheduling/automating DND off when you expect internet calls (see Routines below).
Don’t Forget Alarms, Reminders, and Calendars
Most phones let you choose which non-call alerts can sound during DND:
- Alarms: Usually allowed by default. Check under Do Not Disturb > Alarms and other interruptions.
- Reminders and events: Enable these if you want calendar or reminder alerts to chime.
- Media and touch sounds: Typically muted; only turn on if needed during DND.
If a morning alarm is silent, you likely disabled alarms in DND exceptions or set a low alarm volume in the Clock app. Verify both settings.
Schedule DND Without Missing Key Calls
Scheduling DND is ideal for nights and meetings. Your call exceptions apply during schedules, so once Contacts or Starred contacts are allowed, their calls will still ring.
- Open Settings > Do Not Disturb > Schedules (or Turn on automatically).
- Add bedtime, work hours, or calendar-based rules.
- Confirm your People/Calls exceptions are set correctly.
If you use Bedtime mode (Digital Wellbeing), check whether it toggles DND. Bedtime can dim the screen and mute interruptions; if it enables DND, your call exceptions still decide who gets through.
Troubleshooting When Calls Still Don’t Ring
Check ringer volume and Silent/Vibrate switch
DND doesn’t override a muted ringer. Raise the Ring volume in Settings > Sound & vibration. On devices with a hardware alert slider (e.g., OnePlus), make sure it’s not set to Silent.
Confirm the caller is starred or in contacts
Open the contact and make sure the star is enabled on the correct number. If the person calls from a different or masked number, Android won’t match it to the starred contact.
Disable “Silence unknown callers” and spam blockers
In the Phone app settings, turn off Silence unknown callers if you expect important calls from new numbers. Third-party blockers (e.g., Truecaller) or carrier spam filters can mute or reject calls before the system applies DND exceptions.
Review app-specific call settings
For VoIP apps, open the app’s notification settings and ensure the Incoming calls channel is enabled with sound and vibration. If there’s no DND bypass option, DND will silence it unless you automate DND off when expecting those calls.
Dual SIM behavior
DND exceptions apply system-wide to both SIMs. However, per-SIM features (call forwarding, voicemail handling) can change behavior. Test each line to confirm.
Airplane mode and network issues
DND doesn’t affect connectivity. If calls don’t arrive at all, check Airplane mode, cellular signal, Wi‑Fi Calling, or carrier outages. DND only controls sound and vibration for incoming calls.
Advanced: Automate Exceptions with Routines
Automation can fine-tune when calls ring through:
- Google Assistant Routines: Create a routine to turn DND off, or switch Calls allowed to Contacts, at specific times, then restore your usual DND afterward. Some actions require granting “Do Not Disturb access.”
- Samsung Modes & Routines (Bixby Routines): Build rules like “If calendar event contains ‘On-call’, allow Calls from Everyone and enable Repeat callers; else revert to Starred only.”
- Third-party automation (Tasker): With DND access, you can change DND categories, toggle profiles when connected to work Wi‑Fi, or switch rules when a specific app is open.
What You Can and Can’t Override
- Regular phone calls: Controlled under People > Calls. Set to Contacts or Starred contacts to let them ring.
- Repeat callers: Optional emergency path that lets back-to-back calls ring within a short window.
- Messages: You can allow messages from Contacts/Starred, but they won’t ring like calls unless you assign a distinctive tone or your device supports priority conversation bypass.
- VoIP/internet calls: Can ring only if the app’s Incoming calls channel is allowed to bypass DND, or if you automate DND off.
- Government/emergency alerts: Wireless Emergency Alerts may override DND based on regional and carrier settings.
Quick Setup Checklist
- Settings > Do Not Disturb > People > Calls: Set to Contacts or Starred contacts only.
- Enable Repeat callers.
- Star key contacts in the Contacts/Phone app.
- Verify Alarms are allowed under DND exceptions.
- For WhatsApp/Telegram, enable “Allow during Do Not Disturb” (or “Override DND”) on the Incoming calls notification channel, if available.
- Disable Silence unknown callers and review any spam filters.
- Test by calling from a starred contact and a non-contact to confirm behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my alarm still go off when Do Not Disturb is on?
Yes. On most Android phones, alarms are allowed by default in DND. If yours didn’t ring, check Settings > Do Not Disturb > Alarms and other interruptions to ensure Alarms are enabled, then open the Clock app to confirm the alarm tone and volume.
What’s the difference between Silent mode and Do Not Disturb?
Silent mode mutes nearly everything with no exceptions. Do Not Disturb lets you choose exceptions for calls, messages, apps, alarms, and repeat callers. If you want certain people to ring through, use DND with call exceptions instead of Silent.
Can I make only one specific person ring and mute everyone else?
Yes. Set Calls to Starred contacts only, star just that one contact, and turn off Repeat callers. Everyone else will be silenced by DND.
Why aren’t calls from a starred contact ringing during Do Not Disturb?
Common causes include low Ring volume, the person calling from a different or secondary number, Silence unknown callers enabled, or a spam blocker muting the call. Verify the star on the correct number, raise the Ring volume, and temporarily disable unknown-caller silencing or spam filters to test.
Can WhatsApp or Telegram calls ring through Do Not Disturb?
Often, yes—if the app exposes an Incoming calls channel with a bypass toggle. Go to the app’s notification settings and look for Allow during Do Not Disturb or Override DND. If it’s missing, DND will silence those calls unless you schedule or automate DND off.
Can I change the Repeat callers time window?
On many devices it’s fixed at 15 minutes. Some manufacturers let you adjust it; if you don’t see a setting under Do Not Disturb > People/Exceptions, your phone likely uses the default.
Do these settings affect calls on both SIMs?
Yes. DND exceptions apply system-wide across both SIMs on dual-SIM phones. Per-SIM features like call forwarding and carrier filters still apply, so test each line.