Where to find blocked contacts on your phone or computer

The location of your blocked contacts list depends on what device and service you use. On most phones, blocked contacts live in the Settings app rather than in your main contacts list — they are hidden by design. On a computer, the process varies by email provider or messaging platform. The fastest way is to search your device settings for the word "block" rather than hunting through menus.

Before you start looking, know that blocking works differently across services. Your phone's native blocking (which stops calls and texts) is separate from app-level blocking in Facebook, Instagram, or Gmail. A person blocked in one place is not automatically blocked everywhere. You will need to check each service individually if you use multiple platforms.

Key Takeaways

  • Blocked contacts on phones are stored in Settings, not in your Contacts app, and the exact path differs between iPhone and Android.
  • Email services like Gmail and Outlook keep blocked senders in a separate folder or list within the service itself, not on your device.
  • Social media platforms store blocked users in their own privacy or security settings, and blocking on one platform does not affect others.
  • If you cannot find your blocked list, searching Settings for the word "block" or "blocked" will take you directly to the right menu on most devices.

Finding blocked contacts on iPhone

On iPhone, go to Settings, then scroll down and tap Phone. Tap Blocked Contacts at the bottom of the menu. You will see a list of every phone number and contact you have blocked from calling or texting you. To unblock someone, swipe left on their name and tap Unblock.

If you use iMessage or FaceTime as well, those have separate block lists. For iMessage, open Settings, tap Messages, then scroll down to Blocked. For FaceTime, go to Settings, tap FaceTime, then scroll down to Blocked Contacts. A person can be blocked on one service but not the others — blocking their phone number does not automatically block them from iMessage.

If you cannot find these menus, your iOS version may be slightly different. Open Settings and use the search bar at the top — type "blocked" and the system will show you every menu that contains blocking options.

Finding blocked contacts on Android

On Android, the path depends on your phone manufacturer and which version of Android you run. On most devices, open Settings, tap Apps or Application Manager, then select Phone or Contacts. Look for a menu called Blocked Numbers, Blocked Contacts, or Call Blocking. The exact name varies, but it will contain the word "block."

If you cannot find it in those menus, open Settings and use the search function — type "blocked" at the top and Android will show you the right setting. Some manufacturers like Samsung put this under Phone > More Options > Settings > Blocked Numbers. Others place it directly in the Contacts app itself under a menu labeled Blocked or Do Not Disturb.

Text message blocking on Android is often separate from call blocking. Check your default messaging app (usually Messages or Google Messages) for its own block list. Open the app, find Settings or More Options, and look for Blocked Numbers or Blocked Contacts there.

Finding blocked contacts in email services

Gmail stores blocked senders in a list you can view and edit. Open Gmail in a web browser, click the Settings gear icon in the top right, then select See All Settings. Go to the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab. You will see every email address you have blocked — Gmail automatically sends their messages to spam.

Outlook and Microsoft 365 work similarly. Open Outlook online, click Settings (the gear icon), then select View All Outlook Settings. Go to Mail > Junk Email. The Blocked Senders tab shows everyone you have blocked. You can add or remove addresses from this list directly.

If you use a different email provider, search their help documentation for "blocked senders" or "block list." Most services keep this in a Spam or Junk Email settings area. The blocked list is not stored on your device — it lives on the email company's servers, so it works the same way whether you check email on your phone, computer, or tablet.

Finding blocked contacts on social media platforms

Facebook stores your blocked list in Privacy Settings. On the Facebook website, click the downward arrow in the top right, select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Go to Privacy on the left sidebar. Scroll down to the Blocking section — you will see a field that says "Block users." Below it is a link to view your blocked list. Click it to see everyone you have blocked on Facebook.

Instagram keeps blocked accounts in a similar place. Open the app, tap your profile icon, then tap the menu (three horizontal lines). Go to Settings and Privacy, then Privacy, then Blocked Accounts. You will see a list of every account you have blocked. Blocking someone on Instagram does not block them on Facebook, even though Meta owns both platforms.

Twitter (now called X) stores blocked accounts in Settings and Privacy. Tap your profile icon, go to Settings and Privacy, then Privacy and Safety. Scroll down to Mute and Block and tap Blocked Accounts. You will see your full list there. Other platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord have their own block lists in their privacy or account settings — look for a Privacy, Security, or Account menu and search for "blocked."

What to do if you cannot locate your blocked list

If you have looked in the obvious places and still cannot find your blocked contacts, use your device's built-in search function. On iPhone, open Settings and tap the search bar at the top. Type "blocked" and iOS will show you every setting related to blocking. On Android, do the same in Settings — the search function will take you directly to the right menu.

On a computer, use your browser's find function. Press Ctrl+F (Windows) or Command+F (Mac), then type "blocked." This works on Gmail, Outlook, Facebook, and most other websites. The browser will highlight the word on the page and show you where the blocked list option is located.

If you still cannot find it, the service may not have a way to view your blocked list — some older apps or smaller platforms do not show a list, only an option to block new people. In that case, you can only unblock someone if you remember their name or account and search for them directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see who blocked me?

No. Neither phones, email services, nor social media platforms show you a list of people who have blocked you. You can only see people you have blocked yourself. If you suspect someone has blocked you, you can try calling them, sending a message, or searching for their profile — if you cannot reach them or find them, they may have blocked you, but there is no way to confirm it.

If I block someone on my phone, are they blocked in my email too?

No. Blocking a phone number stops calls and texts on your phone, but it does not affect email, social media, or messaging apps. You have to block them separately in each service. A person blocked in your phone's call list can still email you or message you on Facebook unless you block them there too.

What happens when I unblock someone?

Once you unblock someone, they can call, text, email, or message you again, and you will see their messages. On social media, they can see your profile and send you friend requests or messages. Unblocking does not send them a notification that you unblocked them — they simply regain the ability to contact you.

Can I block someone without them knowing?

Yes. Blocking someone does not send them a notification. However, they may figure it out if they try to call you, text you, or visit your social media profile and cannot reach you or see your account. On some platforms like Instagram, they can see that their messages are not being delivered, which may tip them off.

Where do blocked messages go?

On phones, blocked text messages are usually deleted or sent to a spam folder, depending on your phone and messaging app. On email, blocked senders go to your spam or junk folder automatically. On social media, blocked users cannot send you messages at all — their messages are rejected before they reach you. You will not see a record of blocked messages in most cases.