Your iPhone gives you complete control over who can call, message, or FaceTime you. Whether you’re dealing with spam, unwanted calls, or simply want some space from someone, the block feature is a powerful tool. But what if you change your mind? Maybe the situation has changed, or you blocked someone by mistake. Fortunately, learning how to unblock someone on iPhone is just as easy as blocking them—and takes just a few taps.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you exactly how to unblock a person from your iPhone. We’ll explore every method—from contacts, messages, FaceTime, and settings—along with troubleshooting tips, answers to common questions, and advice for managing communication the smart way.
What Happens When You Block Someone on iPhone?
Before unblocking someone, it helps to understand what blocking actually does on your iPhone.
When you block a contact, the following happens:
- Phone calls from the person go directly to voicemail (you won’t be notified).
- Text messages (SMS or iMessage) won’t show up on your device.
- FaceTime calls will not go through.
- The blocked person won’t receive any message or alert indicating they’ve been blocked.
Blocking someone is silent and one-sided, meaning you stop receiving their communication, but they remain unaware of the block.
Why You Might Want to Unblock Someone
There are plenty of valid reasons to block someone—but also many reasons why you might want to reverse it.
Common reasons include:
- You blocked someone by accident.
- A misunderstanding or conflict has been resolved.
- You want to give someone a second chance.
- You’re expecting an important message or call.
- You need to communicate with someone you previously avoided.
Regardless of the reason, Apple makes it simple to unblock someone when you’re ready.
Method 1: How to Unblock Someone Using iPhone Settings
This is the most universal method to see and manage your list of blocked contacts.
Steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Phone.
- Tap Blocked Contacts (or Call Blocking & Identification in older iOS versions).
- You’ll see a list of all blocked phone numbers and contacts.
- Tap Edit in the upper-right corner.
- Tap the red minus (-) sign next to the person you want to unblock.
- Tap Unblock to confirm.
Now, that person is removed from your block list and can call or text you again.
✅ Best for reviewing or managing multiple blocked numbers at once.
Method 2: Unblock Someone from the Contacts App
If the blocked person is saved in your Contacts, this is a quick way to remove the block.
Steps:
- Open the Phone or Contacts app.
- Find and select the contact you want to unblock.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Unblock this Caller.
The contact is now unblocked, and you’ll start receiving their messages, calls, and FaceTime requests again.
📇 Best when you know the person is in your contact list.
Method 3: Unblock Someone from the Messages App
If you previously blocked someone who texted you and their conversation still appears in your Messages app, you can unblock them from there.
Steps:
- Open the Messages app.
- Find and open the message thread with the blocked person.
- Tap their name or number at the top of the conversation.
- Tap the info (i) icon.
- Tap Unblock this Caller.
You’ll now be able to receive messages from them once again.
✉️ Ideal for undoing message blocks when you still have the conversation thread.
Method 4: Unblock Someone from FaceTime
Blocked contacts can’t reach you via FaceTime either. Here’s how to remove a block from within FaceTime:
Steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll and tap FaceTime.
- Tap Blocked Contacts.
- Tap Edit, then remove the blocked person by tapping the minus (-) icon.
🎥 This works great when you want to resume video communication with someone you’ve blocked.
Method 5: Unblock an Email Address (Apple ID)
Some people use their Apple ID (email address) for iMessage or FaceTime instead of a phone number. If you’ve blocked someone by email, here’s how to remove them:
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Messages.
- Tap Blocked Contacts.
- Tap Edit, then tap the red minus (-) next to the email address you want to unblock.
They’ll now be able to contact you through iMessage or FaceTime.
How to Know If Someone Is Blocked on Your iPhone
If you’re unsure whether you’ve blocked someone, you can check it easily.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts.
- Scroll through the list.
- Look for the name, number, or email address.
If it appears on the list, it’s blocked. If it’s not listed, they are not currently blocked.
What Happens When You Unblock Someone?
After you unblock a person:
- They can call you again (and your phone will ring normally).
- Their texts and iMessages will start appearing in your Messages app.
- FaceTime calls from them will come through like normal.
However:
- You won’t receive any missed messages, calls, or voicemails they sent while blocked.
- The block period acts like a communication blackout; nothing from that time is saved or restored.
Will the Person Know They Were Blocked?
Apple does not notify the person when you block or unblock them. The process is discreet.
However, they might suspect they were blocked if:
- Their calls always go to voicemail.
- Their messages show as “sent” but never “delivered.”
- FaceTime calls never connect.
When you unblock them, communication resumes without any official message or alert.
What If You Can’t Unblock Someone?
In rare cases, users report being unable to remove a number from the block list. Here are a few things to try:
1. Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, a simple reboot clears up the issue.
2. Update iOS
Ensure your phone is running the latest software. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
3. Delete and Re-Add the Contact
If the person is saved in your Contacts, delete them and then add them back before unblocking.
4. Reset All Settings
If all else fails, go to:
- Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings
(This won’t delete your data, just your preferences.)
How to Avoid Needing to Block/Unblock Frequently
If you find yourself frequently blocking and unblocking the same people, consider some alternative strategies.
1. Mute the Contact Instead
Open a conversation in Messages, tap the name or number, and turn on Hide Alerts. You’ll still get the message, but without notifications.
2. Assign a Silent Ringtone
Edit the contact and assign a custom ringtone or text tone that is silent.
3. Use Focus Mode
Set up Focus modes that allow communication from only select people during certain hours or activities.
4. Use Screen Time to Limit Contacts
You can use Screen Time to restrict communication with certain contacts during downtime or app limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Will messages come through after I unblock someone?
Only new messages will arrive. Anything sent while they were blocked is not delivered.
Q2: Can I unblock someone who’s not in my contacts?
Yes. You can unblock any number or email that’s listed under Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts, even if they’re not saved as a contact.
Q3: Can I see when I blocked someone?
Unfortunately, Apple doesn’t provide a timestamp or history of when you blocked a contact.
Q4: Can someone still leave a voicemail when blocked?
Yes. Blocked callers can still leave voicemails, but they’ll be placed in a “Blocked Messages” folder under the Voicemail tab in the Phone app.
Q5: Is there a limit to how many people I can block or unblock?
No known limit exists. You can block and unblock as many people as you want.
Summary Table: Ways to Unblock Someone on iPhone
| Method | Where to Do It | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Settings > Phone | Blocked Contacts list | General call and message unblocking |
| Contacts App | Individual contact pages | Saved contact you want to unblock |
| Messages App | Text thread | Unblock someone you’ve recently messaged |
| Settings > FaceTime | Blocked list | Video calls not going through |
| Settings > Messages | Blocked email addresses | iMessage users blocked via Apple ID |
Final Thoughts
Life changes, and so do relationships. That’s why Apple has made it simple to unblock someone on your iPhone whenever you feel ready to reopen communication. Whether it’s a close friend, a business contact, or a number you blocked by mistake, restoring access takes just a few taps.
With flexible settings and several methods for managing blocked contacts, your iPhone gives you the power to communicate on your terms. So whether you’re unblocking for good, or just testing the waters, rest assured—you’re fully in control.
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