# Allow Calls To or From a Phone Number

When a number you trust ends up on a blocklist, you can override that by adding it to the system allowlist. Entries on the allowlist are permitted to dial in, be dialed out to, or both, depending on the type you assign.

:::note
Allowed numbers take precedence over blocked numbers. Putting a number on the allowlist does not restrict calling to only that number, it simply guarantees the number is never blocked.
:::

## When to use the allowlist

If a customer's number has been caught by either the system blocklist or an individual blocklist, adding it to the allowlist restores communication with your extensions.

This page covers the system-wide allowlist. To allow a number for a single extension instead, see [Handle Incoming Calls Based on Caller ID](/pbx/administrator-guide/handle-incoming-calls-based-on-caller-id/#set-up-a-call-handling-rule__accept-call).

## Limits

How many allowed-number lists you can create, and how many numbers each list can hold, depends on the number of extensions (N) on your phone system.

| Extensions (N) | Allowed-number lists | Numbers per list |
| --- | --- | --- |
| N ≤ 200 | 256 | 100 |
| N > 200 | 512 | 200 |

:::caution
Each list caps out at the "Numbers per list" value above. If you paste in more numbers or patterns than the limit allows, the extra entries will not be saved.
:::

## Add an allowlist entry

1. Sign in to the management portal and go to **Call Features > Blocked/Allowed Numbers > Allowed Numbers**.
2. Click **Add** to start a new allowed-number list.
3. Complete the fields in the dialog that opens:

   ![Dialog for creating an allowed-number list with name, numbers, and type fields](/images/pbx/add-allowed-numbers-1.png)

   - **Name**: A label that helps you recognize the numbers this list allows.
   - **Number**: One number or number pattern per line.
     - For a single number, type it exactly, for example, `2126420000`.
     - For a range, use a wildcard pattern, for example, `9011.` allows any number beginning with 9011. See [DID Pattern and Caller ID Pattern](/pbx/administrator-guide/did-pattern-and-caller-id-pattern/) for how patterns work. (DID stands for Direct Inward Dialing, the external number that reaches an extension directly.)
   - **Type**: Choose the direction of calls this list permits:
     - **Inbound**: The numbers may call into your phone system.
     - **Outbound**: Your extensions may call the numbers.
     - **Both**: Calls are allowed in either direction.

   :::caution
   Because allowed numbers override blocklists, an **Outbound** or **Both** entry that uses a broad wildcard pattern can quietly re-enable calls you previously blocked, including expensive international or premium-rate destinations. Keep outbound patterns as narrow as possible to limit toll-fraud exposure.
   :::
4. Click **Save**, then **Apply**.

:::tip
Changes take effect only after you click **Apply**. If a newly allowed number is still being blocked, confirm you applied the change rather than only saving it.
:::

## Result

The new list appears on the Allowed Numbers page. From now on, the numbers it contains can exchange calls with your extensions according to the type you selected.

![Allowed Numbers page listing a saved allowlist entry](/images/pbx/add-allowed-numbers-successfully.png)