What "unblock" means and why you might need to do it
Unblocking means removing a restriction you or someone else put on a website, app, contact, or person. The block could be on your device (you blocked a number in your phone), on a network (your workplace blocked a website), or in an app (you blocked someone on social media). Where the block lives determines how you remove it.
You might unblock something because you changed your mind, because you need access to something you blocked by accident, or because a family member blocked something and you have the password. The steps are different depending on what you blocked and what device you are using.
Key Takeaways
- Blocks on your own device live in your phone settings, browser, or the app itself — check those places first.
- Network blocks (at work or school) require asking the person who controls the network, because you cannot override them from your device.
- Parental controls that block apps or websites need the admin password to turn off, which only the person who set them knows.
- Social media blocks are removed from within that app's settings, and the person you blocked will not be notified when you unblock them.
- If you forgot the password to parental controls, you may need to reset your device or contact the manufacturer.
Unblocking a phone number or contact
On an iPhone, open Settings, tap Phone, then Blocked Contacts. You will see a list of numbers you blocked. Tap Edit in the top left, then tap the red minus sign next to the number you want to unblock, and tap Unblock.
On Android, open the Phone app, tap the three dots in the top right, go to Settings, then Blocked Numbers. Find the number in the list, tap it, and tap Unblock. The exact steps vary slightly by phone brand — Samsung, Google Pixel, and others have slightly different layouts — but the Phone app settings is always where blocked numbers live.
Once you unblock a number, that person can call or text you again. They will not receive a notification that you unblocked them.
Unblocking a website in your browser
If you blocked a website in your browser (not on your network), the block is usually in your browser's settings or extensions. Open your browser and look for Settings or Preferences. Search for "blocked sites" or "restricted sites." If you find a list, remove the website from it.
Some browsers use extensions (add-ons) to block websites. If you installed an extension like Freedom, Cold Turkey, or LeechBlock, open your Extensions menu, find the blocking extension, and either disable it or remove it entirely. Disabling it is temporary; removing it is permanent.
If you set up parental controls in your browser (common on Chrome and Safari), you will need the admin password to change the blocked sites list. If you do not have that password, you may need to reset your browser to factory settings, which will erase your bookmarks and saved passwords.
Unblocking an app on your phone
On iPhone, go to Settings, tap Screen Time, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. If it asks for a password, enter it. Tap Allowed Apps, and you will see a list of apps with toggles next to them. Turn the toggle on for any app you want to unblock. Apps with the toggle off are blocked.
On Android, the process depends on your phone brand. On Google Pixel, go to Settings, tap Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls, then App Limits or Bedtime Mode (depending on what blocked it). Find the app and remove it from the restricted list. On Samsung, go to Settings, tap Parental Controls, and toggle off the apps you want to unblock.
If you do not remember setting up these restrictions, a family member or the person who set up your phone may have done it. You will need their password to change anything.
Unblocking someone on social media or messaging apps
On Facebook, go to Settings & Privacy, then Settings. Tap Blocking on the left side. You will see a list of people you blocked. Find the person and tap Unblock next to their name. On Instagram, go to Settings, tap Blocked Users, find the person, and tap Unblock.
On Twitter (now X), go to Settings & Privacy, then Muted and Blocked Accounts. Tap Blocked Accounts, find the person, and tap Unblock. On TikTok, go to Settings & Privacy, tap Privacy, then Blocked Accounts. Find the person and tap Unblock.
On iMessage or text messaging, open the conversation with the person, tap their name at the top, scroll down, and tap Unblock. On WhatsApp, go to Settings, tap Privacy, then Blocked Contacts. Find the person and tap Unblock.
When you unblock someone on social media or messaging, they can see your profile again and message you, but they will not receive a notification that you unblocked them. They will only know if they try to message you and see that it goes through.
Unblocking a website on a work or school network
If your workplace or school blocks a website, you cannot unblock it from your device. The block is on the network itself, controlled by the IT department or network administrator. You have two options: ask the person who manages the network to unblock it, or use a different network (like your phone's data plan instead of the WiFi).
When you ask IT to unblock a site, be specific about why you need it. Many workplaces block sites for security or productivity reasons, and they may say no. Some organizations have a formal request process; others handle it informally. Your manager or HR department can tell you how to make the request.
Using a VPN (a tool that hides your internet activity) to bypass a network block is usually against the rules at work or school, even if it is technically possible. Check your employee handbook or student handbook before trying it.
Resetting parental controls if you forgot the password
If you set up parental controls on your own device and forgot the password, your options depend on what device you have. On iPhone, you can reset Screen Time by going to Settings, tapping General, then Reset, then Reset Screen Time Password. You will need to answer security questions or use your Apple ID password.
On Android, the process varies by manufacturer. On Google Pixel, you can reset parental controls through your Google Account settings. On Samsung, you may need to do a factory reset, which erases everything on the phone. Before doing that, contact Samsung support or your phone's manufacturer to see if there is another way.
If someone else set up the parental controls and you do not have their password, you will need to contact them or contact the device manufacturer's support line. They may ask you to prove you own the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will someone know if I unblock them?
On social media and messaging apps, no — they will not get a notification. They will only know if they try to contact you and see that messages go through. On phone calls and texts, they will not know unless they try to call or text you.
Can I block and unblock someone repeatedly?
Technically yes, but repeatedly blocking and unblocking the same person may violate the terms of service on some apps. If someone is harassing you, blocking them once and leaving them blocked is the better approach.
What if a website is blocked by my internet provider, not my browser?
Your internet provider (Comcast, Verizon, etc.) sometimes blocks certain websites at the network level. You cannot unblock this from your device. Contact your provider's customer service to request they unblock it, or ask if they offer a way to disable the filter in your account settings.
If I unblock someone, can they see my old messages?
On most apps, yes — unblocking just lets them message you going forward. On some apps like Instagram, blocked users cannot see your posts or profile while blocked, but once unblocked they can see everything again, including old posts.
What is the difference between blocking and muting someone?
Blocking prevents someone from contacting you or seeing your profile. Muting (available on some apps) lets them contact you, but you do not see their posts or notifications from them. Muting is less permanent and does not notify the other person.