How To Fix Message Blocking Is Active On IPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Home » How-To

5 min. read

Published on October 30, 2025

Fix Windows errors with Fortect:
Fortect can repair common computer errors by scanning your entire system for damaged or missing OS files and replacing them with the original, working versions. Optimize your PC in 3 simple steps:

Download and Install Fortect on your PC
Use the PC Scan feature to look up any Windows issues (including drivers)
Right-click on Repair, and fix it within a few minutes.

Besides that, it helps you clean up junk files, fix stability problems, and get rid of annoying programs and malware traces.

Experiencing the frustration of “Message Blocking is Active” on your iPhone can be a significant communication hurdle. This issue prevents you from sending text messages to a specific contact, leaving you wondering why and how to resolve it. Understanding the root causes, such as accidental blocking, carrier settings, or temporary glitches, is the first step toward restoring normal messaging functionality.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to diagnose and fix the “Message Blocking is Active” error on your iPhone. We’ll cover everything from basic troubleshooting steps to more advanced solutions, ensuring you can quickly get back to communicating with your contacts without interruption.

Why Is Message Blocking Active on My iPhone?

Check Your Blocked Contacts List

The most common reason for this issue is that you, or someone with access to your phone, may have accidentally blocked the contact.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on Phone.
Tap on Blocked Contacts.
Review the list to see if the contact you’re trying to message is present.
If the contact is listed, tap Edit in the top right corner.
Tap the red minus (-) icon next to the contact’s name.
Tap Unblock.

Verify Blocked Numbers in Messages Settings

Sometimes, the blocking may be specific to the Messages app.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on Messages.
Tap on Blocked Contacts.
Review the list and unblock the contact if they are present.
Tap Edit in the top right corner.
Tap the red minus (-) icon next to the contact’s name.
Tap Unblock.

Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches that may be causing the issue.

Press and hold either the volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears. (On older iPhones, press and hold the side button or top button).
Drag the slider to turn your iPhone completely off.
After a few seconds, press and hold the side button (or the top button) again until you see the Apple logo.

Toggle iMessage Off and On

Sometimes, deactivating and reactivating iMessage can refresh the service and resolve connectivity issues.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Scroll down and tap on Messages.
Toggle the iMessage switch to the Off position (it will turn gray).
Wait for about 20-30 seconds.
Toggle the iMessage switch back to the On position (it will turn green).
Wait for iMessage to activate.

Check Your Carrier Settings

In some cases, your carrier might be blocking the number due to various reasons, such as unpaid bills or suspected spam activity.

Contact your mobile carrier’s customer support.
Explain the issue you’re experiencing.
Ask them to check if the number is blocked on their end.
Follow their instructions to remove any blocks they may have placed.

Update Your iPhone’s Software

An outdated iOS version can sometimes cause compatibility issues and bugs that lead to message blocking errors.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap on General.
Tap on Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings can resolve issues related to network connectivity, which may indirectly affect messaging.

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Tap on General.
Scroll down and tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.
Tap on Reset.
Tap on Reset Network Settings.
Enter your passcode if prompted.
Confirm the reset. Note: This will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords, so you’ll need to re-enter them.

Tips for Preventing Message Blocking Issues

Regularly review your blocked contacts list to ensure no one has been accidentally blocked.
Keep your iPhone’s software updated to the latest version to avoid bugs.
Be cautious when using third-party apps that manage your contacts or messages, as they may inadvertently block numbers.
If you’re still experiencing issues, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Comparing Troubleshooting Steps

Troubleshooting Step	Difficulty	Time Required	Potential Data Loss
Check Blocked Contacts List	Easy	1-2 minutes	No
Restart iPhone	Easy	1-2 minutes	No
Toggle iMessage	Easy	2-3 minutes	No
Check Carrier Settings	Medium	10-30 minutes	No
Update iPhone Software	Medium	30-60 minutes	No
Reset Network Settings	Medium	5-10 minutes	Yes (Wi-Fi Passwords)

Restoring iPhone Messaging

Resolving the “Message Blocking is Active” error on your iPhone involves systematically checking potential causes and applying the appropriate fixes. By following these steps, you can typically identify and resolve the issue, restoring your ability to communicate with your contacts.

FAQ

Why am I getting the “Message Blocking is Active” error when texting a specific contact? This error usually indicates that the contact is blocked on your iPhone, either in the Phone app or the Messages app. It can also be due to a block on your carrier’s end.

How do I unblock a contact on my iPhone? Go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts (or Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts), find the contact, and tap “Unblock.”

Will resetting network settings delete my contacts? No, resetting network settings will not delete your contacts. However, it will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords and other network-related settings.

Can my carrier block text messages? Yes, your carrier can block text messages for various reasons, such as unpaid bills or suspected spam activity. Contact your carrier to check.

What if none of these steps work? If you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps and the issue persists, contact Apple Support for further assistance. There might be a more complex issue with your device or account.