Blocking stops calls, texts, and FaceTime from one person

When you block someone on an iPhone, that person cannot call you, text you, send iMessages, or reach you through FaceTime. Their calls go straight to voicemail as if your phone is off. Text messages and iMessages disappear into nothing — they do not arrive on your device, and the sender sees no delivery confirmation. If they try FaceTime, the call will not ring through.

Blocking is permanent until you unblock them. The person does not receive a notification that they have been blocked, but they will notice over time that their messages never get read receipts and their calls always go to voicemail. If they know to look, they can see that their last message to you shows no "Delivered" status.

Blocking someone is different from muting them. When you mute a conversation, you still receive their messages and calls — you just do not get notifications. The messages pile up silently. Blocking cuts off contact entirely.

Key Takeaways

  • You can block someone directly from the Messages app, Phone app, or FaceTime app by finding their name and selecting the block option.
  • Blocked calls go to voicemail, and blocked texts and iMessages never arrive on your phone or show a delivery status to the sender.
  • You can see your full block list in Settings under Phone, Messages, or FaceTime, depending on where you blocked them.
  • Unblocking someone restores normal contact — they can call, text, and FaceTime you again, and they will see your read receipts.

Block someone from the Messages app

Open Messages and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Press and hold their name or the conversation thread until a menu appears. Tap "Block this Caller" or "Block Contact." A confirmation screen will ask you to confirm — tap "Block Contact" again.

If you want to block someone before they have texted you, open Contacts, find their name, tap "Edit" in the top right, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Block this Caller." You can also block them from a previous message thread even if they have not texted you recently.

Block someone from the Phone app

Open the Phone app and go to the Recents tab, which shows all your recent calls. Find the person you want to block, press and hold their name, and tap "Block this Caller." You can also go to Contacts, find the person, tap "Edit," scroll down, and select "Block this Caller."

If someone has called you and you want to block them when ready after the call ends, you can tap the "i" icon next to their name in the Recents list and then tap "Block this Caller" at the bottom of the screen.

Block someone from FaceTime

Open FaceTime and find the person in your recent calls or contacts. Press and hold their name and tap "Block this Caller." You can also tap the "i" icon next to their name, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller."

If someone tries to FaceTime you and you want to block them during or right after the call, tap the red decline button, then tap the "i" icon that appears, and select "Block this Caller."

Find your block list and unblock someone

Your block list lives in Settings, but the exact location depends on which app you used to block them. Go to Settings and tap Phone, Messages, or FaceTime. Scroll down and tap "Blocked Contacts." You will see everyone you have blocked across that app.

To unblock someone, open their entry in the Blocked Contacts list and tap "Unblock [Name]." Once you unblock them, they can call, text, and FaceTime you again. Any messages they send after you unblock them will arrive normally, and they will see your read receipts again.

If you blocked someone in Messages but want to check your Phone app block list, you may see them in both places or only in one, depending on how you blocked them. Check all three apps if you are not sure where someone is blocked.

What happens to old messages from blocked people

Messages that arrived before you blocked someone stay in your conversation thread. You can still read them. However, once you block someone, any new messages they send will not arrive, and the old thread will not show a "Delivered" status for anything they send after the block takes effect.

If you unblock someone later, old messages from before the block remain in your thread, and new messages from them will start arriving again. Blocking does not delete the conversation history — it only stops new contact from that person.

Block someone who is not in your contacts

You do not need someone's contact information to block them. If they have called you, texted you, or tried to FaceTime you, their number or account appears in your Recents or message threads. Press and hold their entry and tap "Block this Caller" or "Block Contact."

If you have their phone number but they have never contacted you, open Contacts, tap the "+" button to create a new contact, enter their number, and then tap "Block this Caller" before saving. You can also go to Phone > Contacts, create a new entry with just their number, and block them from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a blocked person see that I blocked them?

No notification tells them directly, but they will figure it out over time. Their calls go to voicemail every time, their texts show no delivery status, and read receipts stop appearing. If they know to check, they can see these signs, but iPhone does not send an alert saying "You have been blocked."

What happens if I block someone and then they call me?

The call goes straight to voicemail. From their perspective, the phone rings once or twice and then goes to your voicemail greeting. They do not hear a busy signal or a message saying they are blocked — it feels like your phone is off or you did not answer.

Can I block someone from just one app, like Messages, but not Phone?

Yes. If you block someone only in Messages, they can still call you through the Phone app or FaceTime. To block them completely, you need to block them in each app separately. Check your block list in Settings under Phone, Messages, and FaceTime to see where they are blocked.

If I unblock someone, will they know?

No. Unblocking sends no notification. However, if you start responding to their messages or answering their calls after a long silence, they may realize the block is gone. Your read receipts will start showing again, and messages will deliver normally.

What if I block someone by accident?

Go to Settings, tap Phone (or Messages or FaceTime, depending on where you blocked them), tap "Blocked Contacts," find the person, and tap "Unblock [Name]." The block is removed when ready, and they can contact you again right away.