To unblock a phone number on an iPhone 7, open Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts (called Call Blocking & Identification on iOS 10–12), tap Edit, tap the red minus next to the number, and tap Unblock. You can also swipe left on the number and tap Unblock, or open the person’s contact card and tap Unblock this Caller. They can call, text, and FaceTime you again immediately.
These steps work on every iPhone, including newer models. On iOS 18 and later, the path is Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts.
Method 1: Unblock from Settings
- Open Settings > Phone.
- Tap Blocked Contacts (or Call Blocking & Identification on older iOS).
- Swipe left on the number and tap Unblock. Or tap Edit, tap the red minus button, and tap Unblock.
- Tap Done.
The same blocked list is shared by Phone, Messages, and FaceTime, so you can also find it in Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts or Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts.
Method 2: Unblock from the contact or Recents
- Open the Phone app and tap Recents or Contacts.
- Tap the ⓘ next to the number, or open the contact.
- Scroll down and tap Unblock this Caller.
Method 3: Unblock from Messages
- Open the conversation in Messages.
- Tap the name or number at the top, then Info.
- Tap Unblock this Caller.
What happens after you unblock
- New calls, texts, and FaceTime calls come through normally.
- Messages sent while the number was blocked aren’t delivered later. Ask the person to resend anything important.
- Voicemails left while blocked may be in the Blocked Messages section at the bottom of your Voicemail list, if your carrier supports visual voicemail.
- The other person isn’t notified that you unblocked them.
Unblock an email address in Mail
Go to Settings > Mail > Blocked, swipe left on the address, and tap Unblock.
Troubleshooting
- Still not receiving calls: Check Silence Unknown Callers and your Focus settings, and any call-blocking apps in Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.
- Number isn’t in the list: It may be blocked by your carrier or a third-party app instead. Check with your carrier.
- Messages still missing: Make sure the number is saved correctly with the area code, and that Filter Unknown Senders isn’t hiding them in a separate list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I see messages from a blocked number after unblocking?
No. iPhone doesn’t store texts from blocked numbers.
How do I block the number again?
Tap Block this Caller on the contact card or in Recents. See how to block a call on iPhone, or how to block a number that hasn’t called you.
Why don’t I see Blocked Contacts on iOS 18?
Phone settings moved to Settings > Apps > Phone in iOS 18.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.