Have you accidentally blocked a number on your iPhone and now wondering how to undo it? Or maybe you’ve had a change of heart and want to allow calls or messages from someone previously blocked? You’re not alone.
Unblocking a number on an iPhone is straightforward, but there are multiple ways to do it depending on how the number was blocked—via Phone, Messages, FaceTime, or Contacts.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to unblock a number on iPhone, along with pro tips, troubleshooting steps, and answers to common user questions. Whether you're running iOS 17 or an earlier version, this guide has you covered.
What Happens When You Block Someone on iPhone?
Before jumping into the unblocking steps, let’s clarify what blocking a number on iPhone actually does:
- You won’t receive phone calls, FaceTime calls, or messages from the blocked number.
- The blocked person won’t be notified they’ve been blocked.
- Voicemails from the blocked contact are sent to a “Blocked Messages” section in your voicemail inbox (you won’t be alerted).
- You can still call or message the blocked contact, but they can’t reach you.
How to Unblock a Number on iPhone
Here’s how to remove a block from a number on your iPhone using different methods:
1. Unblock a Number via Phone App
This is the most common way users block or unblock contacts.
Steps:
- Open the Phone app.
- Tap on the “Recents” tab.
- Find the contact or number you want to unblock.
- Tap the “i” icon next to the number.
- Scroll down and tap “Unblock this Caller.”
This will immediately allow blocked calls and texts from that number.
2. Unblock a Contact from Settings
If the number was saved in your Contacts and you blocked it from there, you can remove the block via the iPhone settings.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Phone.
- Scroll down and tap Blocked Contacts.
- You’ll see a list of all blocked numbers.
- Tap Edit in the top-right corner.
- Tap the red minus (-) icon next to the number or contact.
- Tap Unblock.
This is also the best method if you want to review and manage all your blocked numbers in one place.
✅ Tip: This same method works for Messages and FaceTime:
- Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts
- Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts
3. Unblock Someone Using Contacts App
If you have the number saved as a contact:
Steps:
- Open the Contacts app or go to Phone > Contacts.
- Find and tap the contact you want to unblock.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap “Unblock this Caller.”
Once unblocked, the person can call or message you again as normal.
4. Unblock Numbers via Messages
Sometimes you may have blocked a number directly from the Messages app.
Steps:
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap on the conversation from the blocked person (if still visible).
- Tap the contact name or number at the top.
- Tap the info (“i”) icon.
- Tap Unblock this Caller.
This method is great if you remember the message thread but not the exact number.
iOS 17/16: What’s New in Blocking and Unblocking?
In newer iOS versions, Apple has made it easier to manage privacy and communication controls. Some features include:
- A centralized blocked contacts list that syncs across apps (Phone, FaceTime, Messages).
- Enhanced filtering of unknown senders.
- Improved Spam and Silence Unknown Callers features.
Make sure you're running the latest iOS version to take full advantage of these features.
To check your version:
Settings > General > Software Update
Troubleshooting: Can’t Unblock a Number?
Sometimes users report issues like:
- "Unblock option is missing."
- "Contact still appears blocked after unblocking."
- "I'm still not receiving calls or texts."
Let’s troubleshoot:
✅ 1. Restart Your iPhone
A simple restart often fixes temporary glitches.
✅ 2. Check if Silence Unknown Callers is On
If this feature is enabled, you won't get calls from numbers not saved in Contacts, even if unblocked.
Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers
✅ 3. Check Screen Time Restrictions
Screen Time can impose communication limits.
Settings > Screen Time > Communication Limits
Ensure no restriction is blocking unknown or specific contacts.
✅ 4. Sign Out and Back Into iCloud
Syncing issues can be resolved by refreshing your Apple ID.
Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then sign back in.
Why You Might Want to Unblock a Number
You may want to unblock contact iPhone users for various reasons:
- Reconnecting with a friend or family member.
- A business number was accidentally blocked.
- You blocked someone out of frustration but changed your mind.
- You blocked a spam number, but it turned out to be legitimate.
Whatever the reason, iPhone makes it easy to reverse this.
Important Notes About Unblocking
- No Notification is Sent: The person will not know they were unblocked.
- Past Messages Will Not Appear: You won't recover any texts or calls made while the number was blocked.
- Blocking is Mutual Across Apps: Unblocking a number in Phone app also unblocks it for Messages and FaceTime.
Tips to Manage Blocked Contacts
🛡️ Want to allow blocked calls temporarily?
You can unblock someone, receive the call, and block them again after.
📱 Use Third-Party Apps to Filter Calls
Apps like Hiya, Truecaller, and RoboKiller help manage calls better than iOS’s native blocking in some cases.
FAQs About Unblocking a Number on iPhone
Can I see messages from a blocked number after unblocking?
No. Messages sent while a number was blocked are not delivered, and you can't recover them after unblocking.
Will the unblocked person know they were blocked?
No. iPhones do not notify the other person when you block or unblock them.
Can I unblock a number I deleted from Contacts?
Yes. Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and remove the number from the list, even if it's no longer in your contacts.
Do unblocked numbers appear back in the Recents list?
If the number called or texted you before being blocked, it may appear in Recents. Otherwise, you may not see it unless they contact you again.
Can I remove block iPhone numbers for all apps at once?
Yes. Removing a number from the Blocked Contacts list unblocks them across Phone, FaceTime, and Messages.
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