How to unblock numbers on my iphone

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Maggie Tillman, US contributing editor

· 27 July 2022 ·

Explainer Provides context or background, definition and detail on a specific topic.

(Pocket-lint) - Has an annoying number been ringing your phone all day and night? Block it. It's easy and completely free to do. Privacy is important, and so isn't your mental health. You should take advantage of the iPhone's built-in tools to protect yourself from robocalls, spam, or former friends and exes who you'd rather never hear from again. Here's how to block unwanted calls on your iPhone - plus, how to unblock people later if you should change your mind. We also detail what exactly happens when you block a number and whether blocked folks can still send texts or voicemails.

Also: iPhone 13 and 13 Pro tips and tricks

How to block a number on iPhone

On an iPhone, there are multiple methods for blocking a number, but here are the fastest ways.

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Block a phone number in the Phone app

1. Open the Phone app.
2. Tap on the Recents tab.
3. When you see the number you want to block, tap the "i" on the side of the screen.
4. On the next screen, you’ll see the option to Block this Caller. Select it.

Block a phone number in the Messages app

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap the sender's information at the top of the chat.
3. Then tap on Info.
4. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see the option to Block this Caller in red. Select it.

What happens when you block a number on your iPhone?

When you block a phone number on your iPhone, you'll no longer receive calls, texts, or FaceTime requests from the blocked number. 

A great iPhone is a spam-free iPhone, and that's why it's so great that you can easily block messages, calls, and FaceTime calls from unrecognized numbers very easily in iOS 16. You can also block contacts or people you know if you just don't want them to be able to contact you. Of course, if you accidentally block someone you shouldn't have, or just decided to let someone out of "communication jail," you can always unblock them.

In iOS 16, you'll need to go into your iPhone's Settings app to unblock a contact or number. Here's how to remove someone from the blocked list on your best iPhone or best iPad.

How to remove someone from the blocked list on your iPhone or iPad

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen.
2. Tap Phone. You'll likely need to scroll down the menu a little.
3. Tap Blocked Contacts.

1. Swipe left on the contact or number you want to unblock.
2. Tap Unblock.

That's all there is to it. The nice thing about the blocked list in iOS 16 is that you can have only a certain email address or phone number for a person blocked, and you can remove only certain ones if you'd like. However, remember that this will only unblock contacts from contacting you via Messages, Phone, or FaceTime, so if you've blocked someone on a social media app (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), you'll need to unblock them on that app if you so choose.

Don't just block spam — report it!

Blocking spam numbers is a great way to earn some peace, but don't forget that when you get a spam text, you can report it directly in the Messages app. I highly encourage reporting any numbers — in addition to blocking — so these scammers have a much harder time doing their unsavory deeds.

This article explains how to unblock a contact on the iPhone and iPad. Instructions apply to iOS 11 and up (and iPadOS 13 and up). The exact menu names may be slightly different for different OS versions, but the basic steps still apply.

How to Unblock a Number on iPhone or iPad

If you previously blocked a number on your iPhone or iPad, here's how to unblock the number so that the contact can call, text, and FaceTime you again:

1. Tap Settings > Phone. On an iPad, which doesn't use the Phone app, tap Settings > FaceTime.

2. Tap Blocked Contacts (on older versions of the OS, tap Call Blocking & Identification).

3. In the Blocked Contacts list, swipe right to left across the number, then tap Unblock.

   
   

How to Unblock People Who Text You

If you blocked someone in Messages to prevent the person from text messaging you, you can unblock the number in Messages settings you they can text you again.

1. Open Settings and tap Messages.

2. Scroll down and tap Blocked Contacts (on older OSes, this is just Blocked).

3. Swipe right to left on the number you want to unblock and tap Unblock.

   
   

How to Unblock Callers in Your Contacts List

If the blocked number belongs to someone in your Contacts list, unblock the number from their listing in Contacts. Go to the Contacts app and find the person's entry. Tap it.

Then scroll to the bottom of the person's contact information and tap Unblock this Caller.

How to Unblock a Number With Your Phone Company

Using the call-blocking feature built into iPhone and iPad to block a contact is quick and straightforward, but it's not the only way to block numbers. Most phone companies offer a service—sometimes for a fee, sometimes free—that you can use to block phone numbers. If you've blocked phone numbers that way, the steps earlier in this article won't work for you. Those only apply to numbers blocked on your Apple device using the built-in features.

If you used your phone company's call-blocking service and want to unblock a number, call the phone company or try its online help or iPhone app (if there is one). The phone company can unblock the number for you.

FAQ

• How can you tell if someone blocked your number on iPhone?

  To find out if someone blocked you on your iPhone, ask them directly. If you're not comfortable with that, one indicator of being blocked is getting a single ring that goes to voicemail. This doesn't definitely mean you're blocked, however—the person may be on another call or the iPhone may be in Do Not Disturb mode.

• How do you unblock someone on Facebook on an iPhone?

  To unblock someone on Facebook using the Facebook app on your iPhone, go to Menu > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking. In the Blocked People section, find the person you want to unblock and select Unblock. Select Unblock again to confirm.

  How do I unblock a blocked number?

  Unblock a number.

  Open your Phone app ..

  Tap More ..

  Tap Settings. Blocked numbers..

  Next to the number you want to unblock, tap Clear. Unblock..

  How do you unblock a number from texting on iPhone?

  How to unblock a number on your iPhone.

  Open the Settings app from your iPhone's home screen, then tap Messages..

  Tap Blocked Contacts under the SMS/MMS section. ... .

  You can remove a contact or number from the blocked list by swiping left, then tapping Unblock..