Phone is always on silent. But, I want a phone call from wife to always come through.

[goodenough]

I do not like getting interrupted by the phone.
I am not even on vibrate. I'm on SILENT.
All notifications are off.

However, if there is an emergency, I want a few selected contacts
to override the silent setting, and make the ringer sound aloud.

Is this possible? Android 7. Moto X Pure.

 

[goodenough]

This was the missing step.
I had to put the phone into "priority only" mode on the main pull down screen.
https://tunecomp.net/set-up-priority-interruptions-on-android-7-nougat/

 

[methodman89]

You can also go to Settings, do not disturb, Allow exceptions, and narrow it down.

 

[goodenough]

Yes, but that alone is not enough.
That is what I did but I also had to put the phone into "Priority only" mode.
Otherwise, it would stay in "silent mode" and none of the exceptions would work

 

[methodman89]

Which Priority Mode?

 

[goodenough]

Look at the link I posted.
You can not have it simply on "Do Not Disturb"
otherwise, nothing will come through.

Setting home screen dropdown MUST be selected to "Priority Only"

Try it for yourself.
It won't work otherwise.