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How to Unblock a Phone Number on iPhone in 2025

Unlocking communication with someone you’ve previously blocked is easy—whether you did it by mistake or have a change of heart. In just a few taps, you can restore calls, messages, and FaceTime access. This article guides you through how to unblock a phone number on iPhone, ensuring you can reconnect smoothly and confidently.

Why You Might Want to Unblock a Number

There are plenty of valid reasons to remove a number from your blocked list:

By mistake: Maybe you swiped too aggressively or tapped the wrong contact.

Repaired relationships: Perhaps things have cooled down with a friend or colleague.

Professional needs: You may have blocked someone temporarily in a business dispute.

Returning a call: An expectant call coming through from someone you blocked before.

Organizational choices: You want to declutter your blocked list as part of privacy upkeep.

No matter the reason, it’s refreshing to know you can reverse blocking easily. Let’s see how.

Preparation: What You’ll Need

To unblock a number, all you require is:

An iPhone running a reasonably current iOS version (iOS 14 or later, ideally).

Access to Settings or Contacts.

Basic familiarity with navigating your device.

That’s it—no third-party apps, no subscriptions. Everything you need is already built into iOS.

Method 1: Unblock via Settings (the Quickest Way)

One of the simplest methods is through the iPhone’s Settings app. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open Settings

Launch the Settings icon on your Home screen.

Step 2: Go to Phone Settings

Scroll down and tap Phone—this section manages your calling preferences.

Step 3: View Blocked Contacts

Tap Blocked Contacts (or Call Blocking & Identification on older iOS versions). You’ll see a list of all numbers and contacts you’ve blocked.

Step 4: Remove the Block

Find the number or name you want to unblock. Swipe left on the entry to reveal the red Unblock button, then tap it. Alternatively, tap Edit, tap the red minus sign next to the contact, then confirm unblocking.

Step 5: Confirm

Your action is instantly saved. There’s no “Save” button needed—you’re done.

Once you’ve unblocked the number, calls, texts, and FaceTime calls from that person will reach you normally. It’s that straightforward.

Method 2: Unblock Directly from Contacts

If the number is saved in your Contacts, unblocking can be even quicker:

Step 1: Launch Contacts or Phone App

Open your Contacts app—or go to the Phone app and switch to the Contacts tab.

Step 2: Search the Contact

Type the name of the person in the search bar at the top. Tap their contact.

Step 3: Scroll and Unblock

Within their contact info, scroll toward the bottom. You should see a button that says Unblock this Caller. Tap it.

Step 4: Verify the Change

The button will disappear, indicating the person is no longer blocked.

This is perfect when you know exactly whose number you want to reinstate.

Method 3: Check in Messages App (iOS 13 or Later)

For messages-era block management, you may want to unblock someone directly in the Messages app:

Open Messages.

Find the conversation thread with the blocked person (it might be labeled “Blocked.”).

Tap the person’s name or number at the top.

Tap the Info (ℹ) icon.

Scroll down and tap Unblock this Caller.

This also restores texting and optionally calling functionality, depending on the thread.

What Happens After You Unblock?

Once unblocked, the following returns to normal:

 Calls: Their phone calls will ring through to you again.

Messages: iMessages and SMS texts arrive.

 FaceTime: They can start video or audio FaceTime calls.

Voicemails: Voicemails from them may appear, depending on your carrier + OS version.

One thing to note: if they tried calling or messaging you during the blocked period, those attempts won't retroactively reach you. That missed communication is lost—but future ones will land normally.

Tip: Review Your Blocked List Periodically

Over time, the list of blocked numbers may grow. To keep things tidy:

Open Settings → Phone → Blocked Contacts.

Tap Edit in the top‑right corner.

Remove old or irrelevant blocks using the minus buttons.

Tap Done to save.

This helps you stay on top of your privacy and communication control.

Troubleshooting: Can’t Find the Option?

Here’s what to check if something isn’t working:

Verify iOS Version: Some older iOS (pre‑13) uses different menu titles, like “Call Blocking & Identification.”

Device Restart: Occasionally, a quick restart refresher helps settings refresh.

Apple ID Sync: If your contacts are tied to iCloud, ensure sync is enabled under Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Contacts.

Phone Number vs. Contact: If a number isn’t in your Contacts, you'll only see it in Settings → Phone → Blocked Contacts. Then unblock it from there.

Key Takeaway

Managing blocked numbers on your iPhone is easy and secure. To recap:

How to unblock a phone number on iPhone? Just go to Settings → Phone → Blocked Contacts, swipe and tap Unblock.

Prefer another route? Use the Contacts app or the Messages thread to unblock from there.

Once done, calls, texts, and FaceTime come through like normal.

Knowing how to unblock a phone number on iPhone means you’re in control—whether you blocked someone by mistake or now want to reconnect. No stress, no hassle, and no need for extra apps.

Final Thoughts

Digital communication today demands flexible tools. Blocking is useful, but the ability to quickly reverse that decision is just as important. By following this guide, you’ll always know exactly how to unblock a phone number on iPhone—whenever the time is right. So if you ever accidentally blocked someone important, or need to re‑open a line of contact, rest assured it’s just a few taps away.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the person know I unblocked them on my iPhone?

No, the person will not be notified if you unblock them. Blocking and unblocking are private actions, and Apple does not send any alerts or messages to the other party.

2. Can I receive missed calls or messages from someone I blocked after unblocking them?

No, you won't receive any messages, calls, or voicemails that were sent while the number was blocked. Unblocking only allows new communication from that point forward.

3. How can I see which numbers I’ve blocked on my iPhone?

Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts. You’ll see a list of all phone numbers and contacts you've blocked. From here, you can also manage (add or remove) blocked numbers.

4. Is there a difference between blocking a number and silencing unknown callers?

Yes. Blocking a number stops all forms of contact from that person (calls, texts, FaceTime), while Silence Unknown Callers simply sends calls from numbers not in your contacts to voicemail without blocking them entirely.

5. Can I unblock a number if I don’t remember the contact name or it’s not saved?

Yes. Even if the number isn’t saved in your contacts, it will still appear in your Blocked Contacts list under Settings. You can find and unblock it manually from there.