Where to find blocked contacts on your iPhone
Your blocked contacts list lives in the Settings app, not in your Contacts or Phone app. Open Settings, tap Phone (or Messages if you blocked someone from texts), scroll down, and tap Blocked Contacts. You will see the full list of phone numbers and email addresses you have blocked. The list stays the same whether you blocked them from a call, a text, or FaceTime — all blocks go to the same place.
If you do not see a Blocked Contacts option, you may be looking in the wrong app. Messages has its own blocked list under Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts. FaceTime has one too under Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts. Each app keeps a separate list, so someone blocked in Messages might still be able to call you unless you also block them in Phone.
The blocked list shows only the number or email address, not the contact name. If you blocked someone by their phone number but saved them in your contacts under a nickname, you will see the number, not the nickname. This is intentional — it prevents you from accidentally unblocking someone you meant to keep blocked.
Key Takeaways
- Blocked contacts are stored in Settings under Phone, Messages, or FaceTime depending on which app you blocked them from.
- Each app maintains its own separate blocked list, so blocking someone in Messages does not block them in Phone calls.
- The blocked list shows phone numbers or email addresses, not contact names, even if you saved them with a nickname.
- You can unblock anyone from the same list where you found them by tapping Edit and then the minus sign next to their number.
- Blocked contacts cannot call, text, or FaceTime you, and their calls go straight to voicemail without ringing your phone.
What happens when you block someone
When you block a contact, they cannot reach you through that specific app. Their calls go straight to voicemail without your phone ringing. Their text messages do not arrive in your Messages app — they disappear on their end after a delay, so they may think the message went through. FaceTime calls from a blocked contact fail silently, and they see a message saying the call failed.
The blocked person does not receive a notification that you blocked them. They only discover it by trying to contact you and noticing the pattern — calls always go to voicemail, texts never get a response, FaceTime always fails. There is no alert that says "You are blocked."
Blocking is not the same as deleting. The contact stays in your Contacts app with all their information intact. You are only preventing them from reaching you through that one app. If you want to remove them entirely, you have to delete the contact separately.
How to unblock a contact
Go back to the same Blocked Contacts list where you found them. Tap Edit in the upper left corner. A minus sign appears next to each blocked number or email. Tap the minus sign next to the contact you want to unblock, then tap Unblock. They are when ready unblocked and can call, text, or FaceTime you again.
Unblocking does not restore old messages or calls that arrived while they were blocked. Those are gone. It only allows new contact from that point forward. If you unblock someone by mistake, you can block them again the same way you blocked them the first time.
Blocking someone from a call or text
You do not have to go to Settings to block someone. If they call you, tap the info icon (a circle with an i) on the call screen, scroll down, and tap Block This Caller. If they text you, swipe left on the message, tap More (three dots), and tap Block. The contact goes straight to your blocked list in the app you used to block them.
This is faster than opening Settings, and it blocks them when ready while you are still on the call or reading the message. The blocked list updates right away, and you will see them there the next time you check.
Why your blocked list might look empty
If you go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts and see nothing, it means you have not blocked anyone in the Phone app. This does not mean you have not blocked anyone overall — you may have blocked people in Messages or FaceTime instead. Check those apps separately. Each one has its own blocked list, and they do not combine into one master list.
It is also possible you blocked someone years ago and forgot about it. If you are trying to reach someone and they are not responding, check all three blocked lists (Phone, Messages, and FaceTime) to make sure you did not accidentally block them.
Blocking by email address
If someone contacts you through FaceTime using an email address instead of a phone number, you can block that email address. Go to Settings > FaceTime > Blocked Contacts and you will see both phone numbers and email addresses in the same list. Blocking an email address only prevents FaceTime calls from that email — it does not block calls or texts from the same person's phone number.
This matters if someone has both your phone number and your email address. You might block their email to stop FaceTime calls but still receive their text messages. To block them completely, you would need to block their phone number in Phone and Messages as well.
What to do if you cannot find the Blocked Contacts option
On older iPhone models or older versions of iOS, the blocked list might be in a different location. Try Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification instead of Blocked Contacts. The name changed in newer iOS versions, but the function is the same. If you still cannot find it, make sure your iPhone is updated to the latest iOS version available for your model.
If you have an iPhone 6s or older, the blocked contacts feature may not be available at all. Those models run older versions of iOS that did not include this feature. In that case, you can still block people by opening a call or message and using the block option on that screen, but you cannot view a master list of everyone you have blocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked contact see that I blocked them?
No. They only know you blocked them by trying to reach you and noticing the pattern — calls go to voicemail, texts fail, FaceTime calls fail. There is no notification that tells them they are blocked. They might suspect it, but they cannot confirm it through your phone.
If I block someone in Messages, are they also blocked in Phone calls?
No. Blocking in Messages only blocks text messages and iMessage. They can still call you on the Phone app unless you block them there separately. You have to block them in each app individually to prevent contact through all channels.
What happens to messages from blocked contacts?
Text messages from blocked contacts do not arrive on your phone. They disappear on the sender's end after a delay, so they may think the message went through. iMessages from blocked contacts also do not arrive. There is no folder where blocked messages pile up — they are straightforward not delivered to you.
Can I block someone without them knowing my number?
You can only block someone if they have already contacted you or if they are already in your Contacts. You cannot block a random number you have never heard from. Once you block them, they cannot reach you, but blocking does not hide your number from them if they already have it.
If I delete a contact, does that block them too?
No. Deleting a contact only removes them from your Contacts app. They can still call, text, and FaceTime you unless you block them separately. Blocking and deleting are two different actions that do two different things.