Unblock a number on iPhone: Guide for parents and teens

Are you looking for the ways to retrieve your conversations with your previously blocked contacts on your iPhone? If yes stay calm! This guide is just for you. Here, we’ll share with you a detailed step-by-step procedure on how to unblock a number on an iPhone. Moreover, we’ll give you tips on how you can communicate with your kids about blocking behaviour to ensure their safety. Keep reading!

Why numbers get blocked on iPhone？

Blocking a number on an iPhone is a simple built-in feature letting users control who can contact them. However, the reasons behind using this may very widely as some blocks occur intentionally for privacy while others occur by mistake. In this section, we are sharing some reasons for blocking contact; this way, you may confidently manage your contacts.

Common reasons for blocking contacts

• Accidental Blocking: Sometimes, while managing call settings, you might tap in the wrong place. This way your contact get added in the blocked list without even realizing.
• Unwanted Calls or Messages: It is more likely that people receive spam calls, telemarketers, robocalls or repeated promotional messages. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Americans report over 1 million robocall complaints each year.
• Temporary Disagreements or Privacy Needs: In addition, you might temporarily block someone because of personal conflicts or argue with others. Similarly, if there is exam period or work hours, people usually prefer to block contacts to maintain focus and privacy.
• Protecting Minors: Parents often block unknown numbers on their kids’phone to protect them from unwanted interactions.

How does blocking affect communication on your iPhone?

As a general rule whenever you block a number or a contact, the iPhone hinders all communication channels. It’s worth noting that the person you’ve blocked won’t be explicitly notified of the block. On their part, all will be as usual. They can call, FaceTime, message, and mail you, but you may not receive them as usual.

How to unblock a number on an iPhone?

However if you have accidentally blocked any important contact on your iPhone don’t think everything has gone. You can easily unblock the number and restore communication in just a few simple steps. Here we have outlined different methods helping you to do this quickly and safely!

Unblocking a number from the settings app (the primary method)

• Step 1. First of all, go for the iPhone’s Settings app. And go to Phone, Messages or FaceTime, depending on where you have blocked the number.
• Step 2. After this, just tap Blocked Contacts. For older versions of the OS you’ll find this under Call Blocking & Identification. From the list, find the number you want to unblock.

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• Step 3. Once you found the contact swipe left on the number and tap Unblock. Or you can tap Edit and remove the contact from the list.

Unblocking a number directly from the Messages app

• Step 1. Open the Messages app on your iPhone.

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• Step 2. Here tap a conversation with the person you want to unblock. You can scroll up and down to find the contact, or you can swipe down on your screen to use the search bar.

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• Step 3. Once you found, tap the person’s contact photo. If they don’t have an associated photo, you’ll see a grey person icon, just go for it.

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• Step 4. Next, tap info option, which you’ll find below the number, underneath a person icon.

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• Step 5. Once you click a drop-down menu list will open from which you choose the Unblock this Caller option. That’s all. Now the number will get unblocked and you can now receive messages/phone calls from the number.

Unblocking a number from the phone app (recent calls list)

• Step 1. Simply launch your Phone app from which you dial numbers and call someone.
• Step 2. Next you’ll tap the Recents option usually at the bottom of your screen.
• Step 3. Here, search for the number you want to unblock. Once you find tap the “i” to the right of the number.

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Step 4. Now a new window will open, just scroll down and tap the Unblock this Caller option.  

What happens after you unblock a number?

As stated previously unblocking a number indeed retrieves your communication as before. However still its important to understand exactly what changes and what to expect.

• Calls Resume Normally: Once you unblock a number the contact can call you again and your iPhone will ring or notify you like any regular call.
• Messages Are Delivered: In addition, you’ll now get the text messages or iMessages from previously blocked in your inbox. However, it’s important to note any message sent while the caller was blocked wouldn’t get retrieved.
• FaceTime Access Restored: Similarly, the unblocked caller can now reach you via facetime just like before.
• Voicemail Behavior: Since blocked contacts can send a voicemail, this way those messages would remain in the Blocked messages folder.

Managing your blocked contacts list on iPhone

If you have blocked numbers, then don’t ignore you have to regularly manage your blocked contact list. It helps ensure the restoration of communication when needed and keep unwanted call under control.

Where to find all your blocked numbers？

However, to manage your blocked contacts list, you might be wondering where I would find this list. We understand. Here is the detailed guideline of how you can navigate all your blocked numbers!

• Step 1. Open the Settings app of your iPhone and scroll down to find the ‘Phone’ tab.
• Step 2. Now, under the phone section locate the ‘Blocked contacts’. Once found, tap on it and it will display the list of all contacts you have blocked.

Tips for managing a large blocked list

• Regularly Review Your List: It’s always a good practice to periodically review your blocked list. This is because it is more likely that while blocking multiple unwanted contacts you have accidentally blocked an important contact. This way of reviewing would enable you to restore communication.
• Use Notes for Reference: Likewise, you have to add notes or reminders before every blocked contact. This way you would later remember why you have blocked it whether for scam, telemarketers or any personal conflict.
• Stay Organized: In addition, it’s ideal to group contacts in your address book to differentiate the blocked numbers from personal contacts. This way you can easily unblock the number to whom you want to resume the conversation.

Distinguishing blocked numbers from unknown callers

iOS offers silence unknown callers feature that automatically silences calls from unknown or private numbers. This is because it’s not true that private numbers are just scammers; they may be important calls from the Government, hospitals, etc. That’s why iPhone wouldn’t allow you to directly block the numbers.

However, you can also manually block the numbers that you find irritating or no longer want to engage. Below is the quick glance at the difference between manual blocking and the silenced unknown calling feature!

Troubleshooting common issues when unblocking numbers

Though unblocking numbers is a simple, straightforward process, however sometimes users might face temporary issues. Seeing this here we’re addressing common issues and also give you effective solutions.

Number still blocked after unblocking?

Even you unblock someone, still if they tell you that they’re trying to contact you but couldn’t. You don’t need to panic. It usually happens due to temporary system delays or even outdated iOS versions. That’s why try following the solutions!

• Check All Apps: Because on iOS, blocking occurs separately across Phone, Messages or FaceTime. You might have unblocked the number from one app and forgotten about it in another. That’s why make sure to unblock from all three apps to restore the communication.
• Update iOS: In addition, if your iPhone is running an older iOS version, bugs or system glitches may still prevent unblocking. Updating to the latest version may fix the issue and may improve the message and calls handling.
• Restart your phone to refresh settings: Keep in mind that iOS sometimes doesn’t immediately update call or message permissions. This way a simple restart can refresh the system and your recent changes may apply.

Why do I can’t find the number on my blocked list?

• It Might Be Unsaved: Sometimes if you block a number directly from the recent calls without adding it to your contacts. iOS might treat as any raw phone number and you’ll not see it in the blocked list.
• Different App: You might have blocked a number in the Messages app and checked in the Phone or FaceTime app. Remember! Blocking on iPhone is app-specific, that’s why always check all three paths.
• Automatic Features: Similarly, if the silence unknown caller feature is enabled, then blocked numbers wouldn’t appear in the blocked list at all.

Why teens may block and unblock numbers frequently?

It’s important to note that teens are emotionally developing at this stage and in this way get influenced by social pressure, affecting their decisions. As a result, you might notice that they frequently block or unblock someone. Let’s dive deeper and look closely at some situations in which they do so!

What parents should know about blocked contacts on iPhone?

Being a parent, you definitely want your kids to remain safe while using the app. Though blocking unwanted contacts might stop calls or message to reach to teens. However it’s not the end they may still reach them via social media apps, gaming chats or many other resources. That’s why relying solely on blocking is a foolish act.

Remember! iPhones’ built-in blocking tools offer basic support. For instance, it usually lacks the following things that you must be aware of.

• Don’t give reason why that number is being blocked.
• You can’t even get alerts about risky communication.
• Don’t see whether you teen has repeatedly blocked or unblocked the same contact.

That’s why you have to verbally guide your kids about the scam calls. Politely talk to your kids and tell them that they should never answer any call about which they are unsure. Ask them to tell you about such calls, so you may block or report them. Moreover, tell your kids never share any kind of personal details on a phone call to anyone, whether someone says they are their teachers or anyone they may know.

Although communication proves effective in ensuring kids’ safety, however for a complete peace of mind using parental control tools would be a smart move.

Use of FlashGet Kids: All-in-one parental control tool

When it comes to kids, don’t rely on any of the third-party parental tools, as not all are trustworthy. Happy to share with you that FlashGet Kids is the most parents’ favorite parental control tool owing to its advanced monitoring features. For instance:

• Usage report: You can get a detailed summary report of your child’s daily and weekly app usage. For instance, you can monitor the call logs, screen time of different apps.
• Geofence: Furthermore it is more likely that kids may interact with strangers on calls who may ask them to come to an unknown place. Using this app, you can set the geofence feature, in which you set specific zones like a school, a park etc. If the kids try to get out of these places you will get an instant alert.
• SMS safety: FlashGet Kids not only monitors the call logs, but owing to its SMS safety feature you can see the sent or received messages from your kids’ devices to your one notice page.

Conclusion

In summary, blocking someone on iPhone might prevent you from unwanted intercations, howevre sometimes you might accidentally block someone. In this scenario, you can first review you blocked list and unblock the user. For better control its best to regularly check your block list.

However, when it comes to teens, parents have to be extra cautious because blocking alone isn’t the full proof method. Try installing parental control tool like FlashGet Kids it keeps you updated about your kids every digital move in real-time.