Where to find the unblock option depends on which app or service you use

The steps to unblock a contact vary by platform. On iPhone, you unblock through the Phone app or Messages app. On Android, the process differs depending on whether you use the default Phone app, Messages app, or a third-party service like WhatsApp or Telegram. On a computer, you may unblock through email (Gmail, Outlook) or messaging services (Facebook Messenger, Discord). The contact will not be notified when you unblock them.

Once unblocked, the person can call, text, or message you again. Any messages they sent while blocked will not appear — those are permanently deleted from your device. If you want to see what they sent, you would need to ask them directly or check another device where you did not block them.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone users unblock contacts in the Phone app (tap Recents, swipe left on the contact, tap Unblock) or in Messages (swipe left on the conversation, tap Unblock).
  • Android users open the Phone app, go to the blocked numbers list in settings, find the contact, and tap Unblock.
  • WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messaging apps have their own unblock menus inside the app's contact or settings area.
  • Email services like Gmail and Outlook unblock senders through the blocked senders list in settings or by right-clicking an email from that person.
  • Unblocking a contact does not notify them, and messages sent while they were blocked will not reappear.

Unblocking on iPhone

On iPhone, you can unblock a contact through either the Phone app or the Messages app, depending on where you blocked them. Open the Phone app and tap the Recents tab at the bottom. Find the contact you want to unblock, swipe left on their name, and tap the Unblock button. The contact will now be able to call you again.

If you blocked them in Messages instead, open the Messages app and find the conversation. Swipe left on the conversation thread and tap Unblock. You can also go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts to see a full list of blocked numbers and tap Edit to remove someone from the list.

Unblocking on Android

On Android, the exact steps depend on your phone's manufacturer and which version of Android you run, but the general process is similar. Open the Phone app and tap the three-line menu (hamburger menu) or look for Settings. Find the option labeled Blocked Numbers, Blocked Contacts, or Call Blocking. Scroll through the list, find the contact you want to unblock, and tap Unblock or Remove.

If you use Google Messages (the default messaging app on many Android phones), open Messages and tap the three-dot menu at the top. Select Settings > Blocked Contacts, find the person, and tap Unblock. Some Android phones from Samsung, Motorola, or other makers may have slightly different menu names, but the blocked contacts list is always in the Phone or Messages app settings.

Unblocking in WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messaging apps

WhatsApp stores its blocked contacts list inside the app. Open WhatsApp, tap the three-dot menu (Android) or Settings (iPhone), and look for Account > Privacy > Blocked Contacts. You will see a list of everyone you have blocked. Tap the contact you want to unblock and select Unblock. They will now be able to message and call you through WhatsApp.

Telegram works similarly: open the app, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Blocked Users, find the contact, and tap Unblock. Other apps like Signal, Viber, or Facebook Messenger have their own blocked lists, usually found in Settings or by long-pressing a contact name. Check the app's settings menu if you do not see an obvious Blocked Contacts option.

Unblocking in Gmail and Outlook

In Gmail, open Settings (the gear icon in the top right) and click See All Settings. Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab and scroll to the bottom. You will see a list of blocked email addresses. Click Unblock next to the address you want to unblock. That person can now send you emails again.

In Outlook, go to Settings (the gear icon) and search for "junk email" or "blocked senders." Click Blocked Senders and you will see a list of addresses you have blocked. Select the address and click Remove. You can also right-click an email from someone you blocked and choose Unblock Sender, which will remove them from the blocked list immediately.

Unblocking on social media and other platforms

On Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy > Settings, then Privacy > Blocked People. You will see everyone you have blocked. Click Unblock next to their name. On Instagram, go to Settings > Blocked, find the account, and tap Unblock. On Discord, right-click a blocked user's name in your Direct Messages or a server and select Unblock User.

Twitter (now X) lets you unblock by going to Settings > Privacy and Safety > Muted and Blocked Accounts > Blocked Accounts. Find the account and click Unblock. Most social platforms follow this pattern: find the blocked list in settings, locate the person, and click or tap an unblock button. If you cannot find the blocked list, search the app's help section for "unblock" or "blocked users."

What happens after you unblock someone

Once you unblock a contact, they can immediately call, text, or message you again. However, any messages they sent while they were blocked will not appear on your device — those are deleted and cannot be recovered. If you want to know what they sent, you will need to ask them directly.

Unblocking does not send them a notification. They will not receive a message saying you unblocked them. They will only know if they try to contact you and the message goes through, or if you tell them yourself. If you want to keep them unblocked but do not want to hear from them right away, you can mute their notifications instead of unblocking them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see messages someone sent me while they were blocked?

No. When you block someone, any messages they send are deleted from your device and cannot be recovered. If you unblock them later, those old messages will not reappear. You would need to ask the person to resend their messages if you want to see what they wrote.

Will the person know when I unblock them?

No. Unblocking does not send a notification. They will only know you unblocked them if they try to contact you and the message goes through, or if you tell them. Some platforms may show a timestamp of when you last interacted, but unblocking itself is silent.

What is the difference between blocking and muting?

Blocking prevents someone from contacting you at all — their calls, texts, and messages will not go through. Muting lets them contact you, but you will not see notifications from them. If you want to stay in touch but reduce interruptions, muting is a gentler option than blocking.

Can I block and unblock someone repeatedly?

Yes, you can block and unblock the same person as many times as you want. However, each time you block them, any messages they sent while previously blocked are deleted. There is no limit to how many times you can change your block status.

Do I need to unblock someone to see their profile or posts?

On most platforms, blocking prevents you from seeing their profile, posts, or activity. On some apps like Instagram and Facebook, you can view a blocked person's profile if you know the direct link, but you cannot follow them or interact with their content. Unblocking restores full access.