Getting blocked on iPhone can be frustrating and confusing. When someone blocks your number, you are no longer able to contact them through standard calling or messaging. However, there are still some things you can do and information you may be able to access even after being blocked.
Why would someone block you on iPhone?
There are a few common reasons someone may choose to block you on their iPhone:
- They no longer wish to communicate with you for personal reasons
- You were sending unwanted or excessive messages/calls
- They find your communications inappropriate or abusive
- As a safety measure in situations of stalking or harassment
In most cases, someone blocks contact when they feel you have been inappropriate, abusive, or they fear for their safety in continuing communication. It is best to respect their wishes for no further contact.
How can you tell if you’re blocked?
There are a few main ways to know if you have been blocked on iPhone:
- Your calls go straight to voicemail or state the number is disconnected
- Your texts will show as delivered but remain unread
- FaceTime calls will fail instantly
- Group chats behave as if the person isn’t a member
If you are seeing these behaviors consistently, then the person has likely blocked you. However, sometimes temporary network issues can mimic some of these signs. If the block seems intermittent or temporary, it may be a technical glitch rather than an intentional block.
What happens when you call a blocked number?
Calling someone who has blocked you on iPhone will result in one of two outcomes:
- The call goes directly to voicemail
- An automated message states the number is disconnected
The voicemail behavior makes it seem like the phone is ringing on their end and going to voicemail as normal. However, in reality, your calls are being automatically rejected and sent to voicemail before the person ever hears their phone ring.
The “disconnected number” message is more overt in conveying that you are unable to get through to the person. Either way, blocked calls will not ring on the recipient’s phone and they will not be notified of your attempts to contact.
What happens when you text a blocked number?
Sending SMS text messages to a blocked contact will appear successful on your end but will not be received. The text will show as delivered, but remain perpetually unread.
There is no bounce back or failed message notice. Your texts simply go into a void where the blocker will never see them. You may see “delivered” under the message for a long time, but there will be no read receipt.
Group texts involving a blocked contact will not reveal to that person that you are part of the group chat. It will seem to them as if you are not in the group text at all.
What if you try FaceTime or iMessage?
FaceTime calls to a blocked number will fail instantly with no ability to ring or connect. There is no way around this block.
iMessage is tied to your Apple ID, so blocking an Apple ID will block all associated SMS and iMessage contact. The behavior for normal SMS and iMessage will appear identical to each other when blocked. All messages will show as delivered and remain in an unread state if you are blocked.
Can you see their profile pictures and online status?
In most cases, blocking prevents you from viewing someone’s profile details like display pictures and online/offline status. However, this depends on your settings and type of block:
- If you have an Apple device and they blocked your Apple ID, you will be unable to see details like profile picture and online status.
- On iPhone, you can block numbers while allowing profile photo and status visibility. In this case, you may still see some details.
- Third party apps may handle blocking differently, allowing you to remain connected on that platform and potentially see some info.
So in summary, a full block across Apple ID and services prevents profile and status visibility. But remaining connections on some third party platforms or incomplete blocks may allow partial visibility.
Can a blocked number leave a voicemail?
Yes, a blocked caller can still leave a voicemail, as this goes straight to voicemail. However, this gives the blocker the option to listen and screen the voicemails or simply delete them.
Any voicemails left will be available in the blocker’s voicemail box like normal. But they have full control over accessing and deleting those messages if they desire no contact whatsoever.
Will their number show up in your call log?
Blocked numbers will not show up in your call logs or message history when blocked on iPhone. It will be as if no call ever happened and the number will not be recorded.
However, if the block is done through third party apps, the number may still appear in your native call logs on the iPhone. Incomplete or app-specific blocks allow call logs and histories to still record the blocked number and calls.
Can you unblock yourself from someone’s iPhone?
There is no way to override or unblock yourself from a block on iPhone. The only recourse is to try contacting that person from another number or app they have not blocked.
But any attempt to force contact after intentionally being blocked will likely be unwanted harassment. The blocker has made clear their wish for no communication, so trying to override that should be avoided in most cases.
When should you avoid trying to unblock?
You should avoid attempting to contact someone who has blocked you in these situations:
- They expressed not wanting further contact
- You have been exhibiting stalking behaviors
- There are threats to their safety or wellbeing
- They blocked following harassment or abuse
Trying to override a block in these circumstances can amplify threatening behaviors. Honor their block instead of attempting to unblock against their will.
Are there legal ways to unblock someone?
There are very limited situations where you may use legal methods to circumvent a block:
- Ongoing court cases where contact is legally required
- Active co-parenting of children
- They have blocked as part of abuse or control
- To return essential documents and property
Consult an attorney before attempting to override a block without consent. Non-harassment reasons like trying to apologize or rekindle a relationship would not justify forced unblocking.
Can you tell who blocked you on iPhone?
Unless a person informs you directly, there is no definite way to discern who blocked your number on iPhone. However, typical signs of blocking like unread delivered messages and voicemails going straight to inbox provide clues on who may have possibly blocked you.
Should you ask others if someone blocked you?
While you may be tempted to ask around whether you’ve been blocked, consider avoiding this. Getting others involved can multiply unwanted contact. Plus, most people will not feel comfortable revealing that someone else has blocked you.
It’s best to simply accept that whoever has blocked you does not wish to be contacted further. Move forward from the situation rather than trying to get external confirmation of the block.
What happens if you block someone on iPhone?
When you block a number via your iPhone settings or contacts:
- All calls from that number will go to voicemail or a disconnected message
- Texts will not be delivered and you will not see them
- They will be removed from group conversations
- FaceTime calls will not connect
- You will not see their messages or calls in your histories
Blocking creates a one-way restriction where they can call and text you but you will never receive those attempted communications. You have full control over the block.
Can you block someone who hasn’t contacted you?
Yes, on iPhone you can proactively block a number that has not recently contacted you, but which you want to restrict from any future communication.
To do this:
- Open your iPhone Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts
- Tap the add symbol +
- Enter the phone number you wish to block
- Confirm the block
This will prevent any future calls or texts from that number from ever reaching you.
What happens if you block someone on iMessage?
Blocking someone in iMessage blocks communication across SMS text messaging and iMessage:
- Their messages will no longer be delivered to you
- They will be removed from all group iMessage threads
- They will be unable to see if you have read their messages
This creates a complete block of their ability to contact you through iMessage, SMS, and group messaging. To block in iMessage:
- Open your conversation with the contact
- Tap contact name and photo
- Scroll down and tap Block Contact
Can you block on FaceTime?
You can easily block someone directly in the FaceTime app so their calls do not ring on your end:
- Open FaceTime and go to your calls history
- Tap the info icon beside a contact’s name
- Toggle Block this Caller to on
This prevents all FaceTime calls from connecting. Unlike standard calls, there is no voicemail option on FaceTime.
How do you remove a block on iPhone?
If you change your mind and wish to unblock someone on iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts
- Tap Edit in the top right corner
- Tap the red minus icon beside their name
- Confirm the unblock
This will fully restore two-way communication. Both calls and texts will once again be delivered.
Can you block emails on iPhone?
The native Mail app does not have a block function for email addresses. However, you can achieve email blocking by:
- Marking emails as junk to go to spam folder automatically
- Setting email filters that delete messages from specific addresses
- Blocking at your email provider level, such as Gmail
While less direct, these steps can minimize contact from unwanted email senders on your iPhone device.
Should you inform someone that you blocked them?
There is no obligation to inform someone if you block them. In many cases, stating that you blocked them can actually invite more unwanted contact and demands to justify your action.
If safety is a concern, it may be best not to reveal the block at all. In situations of stalking or harassment, stating that you blocked them could prompt anger or excessive attempts to contact you from other sources.
However, if asked directly it’s reasonable to politely confirm the block and restate your wish for no further contact. But in many cases, silently blocking without comment is appropriate and safest.
Can someone take legal action for blocking?
In most personal situations, there is no legal issue with blocking a person who you want no contact with. Their ability to sue or seek legal recourse is very limited.
Exceptions are if blocking interferes with court mandated interactions, such as shared child custody. Otherwise, individuals have a general legal right to block others from private communication channels like cell phones for personal reasons.
How else can you prevent unwanted contact?
In addition to blocking phone numbers and Apple IDs, there are further steps to prevent unwanted contact from specific individuals:
- Use filtering and blocking features across social media and e-mail services
- Consider changing phone numbers if needed as a last resort
- Screen calls from unknown numbers
- Use parental controls if harassment comes from a child/teen
- File for a court restraining order if there are safety concerns
Taking a comprehensive approach across all communication methods provides layered protection.
Can law enforcement unblock a number?
Police and law enforcement do not have inherent power to override civil blocks and unblock phone numbers. However, they can seek a court order to legally require a block to be removed if needed for their investigation process.
Most personal reasons for blocking like harassment from a partner or ex do not rise to the level needed for police involvement to circumvent a block. But in cases of serious criminal allegations, law enforcement may go through the courts to allow necessary contact.
Conclusion
Being blocked on iPhone prevents any standard communication methods like calls, texts, and FaceTime. While jarring at first, a block signals a clear request for no contact that should be respected in most circumstances. Honoring the block rather than trying to circumvent it will avoid multiplying unwanted communication. If you feel your safety is at risk from unwanted contact, do not hesitate to make use of blocking features on iPhone and across all platforms.