Unblock a Number on iPhone & iPad in iOS 10

This guide shows you how to unblock a phone number, contact, or email address that you previously blocked in iOS 10 on your iPhone or iPad. Once unblocked, you’ll again receive calls, FaceTime calls, and messages from that person. You only need your device and the passcode or Touch ID to access Settings.

What You’ll Need

• Your iPhone or iPad running iOS 10 (or later, though steps are for iOS 10).
• Your device passcode or Touch ID/Face ID to unlock and change settings.
• No other tools or apps are required.

Step-by-Step

1. Open the Settings app – Locate the gray gear icon on your Home screen and tap it.
2. Scroll down and tap “Phone” (on iPhone) or “FaceTime” (on iPad). On an iPhone, the block list is under Phone; on an iPad, it’s under FaceTime. If you’re using an iPod touch, go to FaceTime.
3. Tap “Blocked” – In the Phone settings, scroll to the “CALLS” section and tap “Blocked.” In FaceTime settings, scroll to the “CALLS” section and tap “Blocked.” This shows a list of all numbers, contacts, and email addresses you’ve blocked.
4. Find the number you want to unblock – Scroll through the list. It shows the name (if it’s a contact) or the raw number/email.
5. Swipe left on the entry – Place your finger on the row and swipe left. A red “Unblock” button appears.
6. Tap “Unblock” – Confirm by tapping the red button. The entry disappears from the list.
7. Verify the unblock – The number is now removed. You can also check by going to Settings > Phone > Blocked (or FaceTime > Blocked) and confirming it’s no longer there.

Common Mistakes

• Looking in the wrong app – Many people look in the Phone app itself (the green icon) for a block list. In iOS 10, the block list is only in Settings, not in the Phone app.
• Blocking via Messages – If you blocked someone from the Messages app, they appear in the same Blocked list. Unblocking there works too, but the Settings method is the most direct.
• Confusing “Blocked” with “Silenced” – Do Not Disturb or “Silence Unknown Callers” (not in iOS 10) are different. Unblocking won’t fix Do Not Disturb settings.
• Not checking both Phone and FaceTime – On an iPhone, the block list is shared between Phone, FaceTime, and Messages. But if you’re on an iPad, you must check FaceTime. If you have an iPhone and iPad, unblocking on one device does not automatically unblock on the other – you need to do it on each device.

Tips

• Unblock from Messages – You can also go to a conversation with the blocked person in Messages, tap the “i” icon (Details) in the top right, scroll down, and tap “Unblock this Caller.” This is faster if you’re already in the chat.
• Check all devices – If you have an iPhone and an iPad, the block list is per device. Unblock on each device to ensure you receive calls and messages everywhere.
• Blocking again – If you unblock by mistake, you can re-block by going to the contact, scrolling to the bottom, and tapping “Block this Caller.”
• iCloud sync – In iOS 10, block lists do not sync across devices via iCloud. You must manually update each device.

Troubleshooting

If you’ve followed the steps but the person still isn’t reaching you, try these:

• Check all block lists – On an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Blocked, Settings > FaceTime > Blocked, and Settings > Messages > Blocked. They are usually the same list, but verify each.
• Restart your device – Sometimes a simple restart clears a glitch. Hold the power button, slide to power off, then turn it back on.
• Update iOS – If you’re on an older version of iOS 10, consider updating to the latest iOS 10.x release (or later). Apple fixed several bugs in block list management.
• Check Do Not Disturb – If you have Do Not Disturb scheduled, calls from anyone not in your Favorites may be silenced. Go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and turn it off temporarily to test.
• Check if the person is blocked on another device – If you have a Mac, the block list might be separate. Unblock on your Mac in FaceTime or Messages preferences.
• Reset network settings – As a last resort, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This won’t erase your data but will reset Wi-Fi and cellular settings. You’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will unblocking delete my message history with that person?

No. Unblocking does not delete any existing messages or call logs. You’ll still see the history, and the person can contact you again.

Can someone tell if I unblock them?

No. There is no notification sent when you unblock someone. They will simply be able to call or message you again.

Does unblocking work the same on iPhone and iPad?

Yes, the steps are identical, but on iPad you access the block list via Settings > FaceTime (since there’s no Phone app).

What if I don’t see the “Blocked” option in Settings?

Make sure you’re running iOS 10 or later. In earlier versions, the block list was under Settings > Phone > Blocked, but the layout is the same. If you still don’t see it, try searching in Settings by pulling down the search bar and typing “Blocked.”

Will unblocking also allow FaceTime calls?

Yes, unblocking removes the block for all services – phone calls, FaceTime, and Messages.

How do I unblock a number that’s not in my contacts?

The block list shows all blocked numbers, even those not in your contacts. Just swipe left on the number and tap Unblock.

Related

• Arc Browser Pinned Tabs: How They Work
• EA App: How to Change Game Language
• Reset Huawei P9 Password When Locked Out