Message blocking stops texts and calls from specific contacts, but you can disable it in Settings

If you've blocked someone on your iPhone, you can unblock them by going to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts (or Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts, depending on whether you blocked them for calls or texts). Find the person's name, swipe left, and tap Unblock. The person will then be able to reach you again by phone or text.

You can also unblock someone through the Phone or Messages app itself. Open the app, find a recent call or message from the blocked contact, tap the info icon (the small circle with an "i"), scroll down, and select Unblock. This works the same way as unblocking through Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocked contacts cannot call, text, or FaceTime you, and their calls go straight to voicemail.
  • You can unblock someone through Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts or Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts by swiping left and tapping Unblock.
  • You can also unblock a contact directly from the Phone or Messages app by tapping the info icon next to their name and selecting Unblock.
  • Unblocking someone does not notify them — they simply regain the ability to reach you.

How to find your blocked contacts list

Your blocked contacts are stored in two separate places on iPhone, depending on how you blocked them. If you blocked someone for calls and voicemail, the list is in Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. If you blocked them for text messages, the list is in Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts. You may have blocked the same person in both places, so check both lists if you want to fully unblock them.

Open Settings, scroll down, and tap Phone or Messages depending on which type of communication you want to unblock. Then tap Blocked Contacts to see everyone you've blocked in that app. The list shows names and phone numbers, making it easy to find who you're looking for.

Unblocking through Settings step by step

Once you're in your blocked contacts list, find the person you want to unblock. Swipe left across their name with your finger. A red Unblock button will appear on the right side of the screen. Tap it, and the person is immediately unblocked.

If you blocked someone for both calls and texts, you'll need to repeat this process in both the Phone and Messages blocked lists. After you unblock them, they can call, text, or FaceTime you again, and their messages will appear in your inbox as normal.

Unblocking directly from the Phone or Messages app

You don't have to go through Settings to unblock someone. If you see a recent call or text from a blocked contact, you can unblock them right there. Open the Phone app and find a recent call from the person, or open Messages and find their conversation. Tap the small info icon (a circle with an "i") next to their name or number.

Scroll down to the bottom of the info screen. You'll see an Unblock option. Tap it, and the person is unblocked immediately. This method is faster if you remember who you blocked and can find them in your recent calls or messages.

What happens when you unblock someone

When you unblock a contact, they regain full access to reach you. Their calls will ring through to your phone instead of going to voicemail, their text messages will appear in your Messages app, and they can initiate FaceTime calls with you again. However, unblocking does not send them a notification — they won't know you've unblocked them unless you tell them.

Any messages or calls they sent while blocked will not appear in your inbox. Blocking deletes those communications from your device, so unblocking does not recover them. If you need to see what they sent, you'll have to ask them to resend it.

Blocking someone again if needed

If you unblock someone and later decide you want to block them again, the process is just as simple. Open the Phone or Messages app, find their contact or recent call or message, tap the info icon, and select Block Contact. You can also go back to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts or Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts, tap Edit in the top left, and tap the plus sign to add a new blocked contact.

You can block and unblock the same person as many times as you need to. There's no limit to how many contacts you can block, and blocking is permanent until you choose to unblock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I unblocked them?

No. Unblocking someone does not send them any notification. They will only know you've unblocked them if you tell them or if they try to contact you and succeed when they couldn't before.

Can I unblock someone from my computer or iPad?

You can manage blocked contacts on iPad the same way as iPhone, through Settings > Phone or Messages > Blocked Contacts. On Mac, you can unblock contacts through the FaceTime app by going to FaceTime > Preferences > Blocked, but you cannot manage phone or text message blocks from a computer.

What if I can't find someone in my blocked contacts list?

Check both Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts, since blocking for calls and texts are separate. If they're not in either list, they may not be blocked, or you may have blocked them under a different name or number than you're searching for.

Do blocked messages appear after I unblock someone?

No. Messages and calls sent while someone was blocked do not appear in your inbox after you unblock them. If you need to see what they sent, ask them to resend it after you've unblocked them.