What blocking iMessage actually does
Blocking iMessage stops a specific person from sending you messages through Apple's messaging service. When you block someone, their iMessages won't reach your device, and they won't see read receipts or typing indicators from you. They also won't know whether their messages went through — from their end, it looks like the message sent normally.
The block applies only to iMessage, not to SMS text messages or calls. If the person you block tries to reach you through regular text or a phone call, those will still come through. If you want to stop SMS texts too, you'll need to block the contact separately at the phone level, which works differently depending on whether you have an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
Blocking is not the same as deleting a conversation. The chat thread stays in your Messages app unless you delete it separately. You can unblock someone at any time, and they'll be able to message you again when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone in iMessage stops their messages from reaching you, but they won't receive a notification that they're blocked.
- A blocked person's messages still appear to send on their end — they have no way to know the block worked unless they call or text you another way.
- Blocking iMessage does not block regular text messages or phone calls; you need separate steps to block those.
- You can unblock someone anytime, and the conversation history remains in your Messages app unless you delete it.
How to block iMessage on an iPhone or iPad
Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap and hold on their name or the conversation thread until a menu appears. Select "Block this Caller" or "Block Contact" depending on your iOS version.
Alternatively, open the conversation, tap the contact name or number at the top of the screen, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller." A confirmation message will appear asking if you're sure — tap "Block Contact" to confirm.
If you want to block someone who hasn't messaged you yet, open Contacts, find their name, tap "Edit," scroll to the bottom, and select "Block this Caller." You can also block directly from a phone call or FaceTime by tapping the "i" icon and choosing the block option.
How to block iMessage on a Mac
Open the Messages app and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Right-click on their name or the conversation and select "Block Contact" from the menu. A confirmation dialog will appear — click "Block" to confirm.
You can also open the conversation, click the contact name or number at the top, and look for a "Block" button in the details panel on the right side of the screen. The exact location varies slightly depending on your macOS version, but the option is always in the conversation details.
How to block SMS text messages separately
If you want to block regular text messages in addition to iMessage, the process differs by device. On iPhone, open the conversation, tap the contact name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller" — this blocks both iMessage and SMS from that number.
On Mac, blocking iMessage does not automatically block SMS texts, because your Mac doesn't receive SMS messages directly. If you want to block SMS texts, you'll need to do that on your iPhone using the steps above, or contact your phone carrier to add the number to a carrier-level block list.
What the person you blocked will experience
From the blocked person's perspective, their messages will appear to send normally. They won't see an error message, a delivery failure, or any indication that the block worked. They won't receive a notification saying they've been blocked.
The only way they'll know something is wrong is if they don't receive your replies over a long period, or if they try to call or text you through another method and you respond. Some people test whether they're blocked by sending a message and watching for read receipts, but this only works if you had read receipts turned on before blocking them.
How to unblock someone
On iPhone or iPad, open Settings, scroll down to Messages, tap "Blocked Contacts," and you'll see a list of everyone you've blocked. Swipe left on the name you want to unblock and tap "Unblock," or tap "Edit" and then the minus sign next to their name.
On Mac, open Messages, go to the menu bar, click "Messages," select "Preferences," click the "Accounts" tab, select your iMessage account, and click "Blocked Contacts." Select the person you want to unblock and click the minus button at the bottom.
Once you unblock someone, they can message you when ready, and you'll see their messages in real time. Your conversation history with them remains in your Messages app.
When blocking doesn't work the way you expect
If someone keeps reaching you after you've blocked them, they may be using a different phone number, email address, or messaging service. Blocking only affects the specific contact information you blocked — if they have multiple numbers or email addresses linked to their Apple ID, you may need to block each one separately.
If you're receiving messages from unknown numbers that look like they're from someone you blocked, they may be using a spoofing service or a different device. In that case, blocking won't help, and you may need to contact your phone carrier or report the messages to Apple.
Blocking also doesn't prevent someone from seeing your public profile information on shared apps like Find My Friends or shared calendars. If you want to remove someone from those services, you'll need to adjust those settings separately in each app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person I block know I blocked them?
No. They won't receive a notification, and their messages will appear to send normally. The only way they'll suspect a block is if they don't get replies from you over time or if they try reaching you through another method.
Can I block someone but still receive their calls?
Blocking iMessage does not block phone calls. If you want to block calls as well, you need to use the "Block this Caller" option in the Phone app or in your contact's details. You can block iMessage only, calls only, or both.
What happens to old messages from someone I block?
The conversation stays in your Messages app. You can read old messages from the blocked person, but you won't receive any new messages from them. If you delete the conversation, you can still unblock them later — the block and the conversation are separate.
Can I block someone on my iPhone but not my Mac?
Blocks sync across your Apple devices if you're signed into the same iCloud account. If you block someone on your iPhone, they're automatically blocked on your Mac and iPad too. You can't block someone on just one device.
What if someone is harassing me through iMessage?
Block them first. If the harassment continues from different numbers or accounts, take screenshots of the messages and report them to Apple through the Messages app by tapping the contact name, scrolling down, and selecting "Report Junk." You can also report to local law enforcement if the messages contain threats.