Are you tired of missing important calls from loved ones, friends, or colleagues because your iPhone has blocked their numbers? Do you often find yourself wondering how to unblock calls on your iPhone? Well, you’re in luck! This article will walk you through the step-by-step process of unblocking calls on your iPhone, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the features and settings that control call blocking on your device.
Understanding Call Blocking on iPhone
Before we dive into the process of unblocking calls, it’s essential to understand how call blocking works on your iPhone. Apple has implemented various features to help users manage unwanted calls, including:
Blocking Unknown Callers
By default, iOS 13 and later versions have a feature that allows you to silence unknown callers. This feature is enabled by default, which means that calls from unknown numbers will be sent directly to voicemail, and your iPhone won’t ring. While this feature is designed to reduce spam calls, it may inadvertently block calls from important contacts who are not in your address book.
Blocking Specific Numbers
You can also manually block specific phone numbers on your iPhone. When you block a number, the caller will hear a message saying that your number is not available, and they won’t be able to leave a voicemail. Blocked numbers will not be able to reach you through phone calls, messages, or FaceTime.
How to Unblock Calls on Your iPhone
Now that you understand how call blocking works on your iPhone, let’s explore the steps to unblock calls from specific numbers or unknown callers.
Unblocking a Specific Number
To unblock a specific number, follow these steps:
- Open the Phone app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Find the number you want to unblock and swipe left on it.
- Unblock to remove the number from your block list.
Alternatively, you can also unblock a number from the Contacts app. To do this:
- Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
- Find the contact you want to unblock and tap on their name.
- Tap on Edit in the top right corner.
- Scroll down to the Ringtone section.
- Tap on to remove the block.
Unblocking Unknown Callers
To unblock unknown callers, you’ll need to disable the “Silence Unknown Callers” feature. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Phone.
- Toggle off Silence Unknown Callers.
By disabling this feature, unknown callers will be able to reach you, and your iPhone will ring when they call.
Additional Tips and Tricks
In addition to unblocking calls, here are some additional tips and tricks to help you manage unwanted calls on your iPhone:
Use the “Do Not Disturb” Feature
The “Do Not Disturb” feature allows you to silence calls and notifications during a specified period. You can set up this feature to silence calls from unknown numbers or specific contacts. To enable “Do Not Disturb,” go to Settings > Do Not Disturb and toggle it on.
Report Spam Calls
If you receive a spam call, you can report it to Apple. To do this, open the Phone app, find the spam call in your Recents tab, and tap on the “i” icon next to the number. Then, tap on Report Call and follow the prompts.
Use Third-Party Call Blocking Apps
There are several third-party call blocking apps available on the App Store that can help you manage unwanted calls. These apps often provide more advanced features, such as blocking calls from specific area codes or numbers that match certain patterns. Some popular call blocking apps include Truecaller, Hiya, and Nomorobo.
Conclusion
Unblocking calls on your iPhone is a straightforward process that can be done in a few simple steps. By understanding how call blocking works on your device and following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that you don’t miss important calls from loved ones, friends, or colleagues. Remember to take advantage of additional features, such as “Do Not Disturb” and reporting spam calls, to further manage unwanted calls on your iPhone.
What is call blocking on iPhone and how does it work?
Call blocking on iPhone is a feature that allows you to block unwanted calls from specific numbers or contacts. When you block a number, the caller will hear a generic message saying that the number is not available, and you won’t receive any calls or notifications from that number. This feature is useful for avoiding spam calls, telemarketers, or harassing callers.
The blocked call feature works by adding the unwanted number to a blocked list on your iPhone. When a blocked number tries to call you, your iPhone will recognize the number and automatically reject the call. You can add numbers to the blocked list manually or report spam calls to block them automatically. Additionally, you can also set up your iPhone to block all unknown or private numbers, giving you more control over who can reach you.
How do I block a number on my iPhone?
To block a number on your iPhone, go to the Phone app and find the number you want to block in your recent calls list. Tap the “i” icon next to the number, and then tap “Block this Caller”. Confirm that you want to block the number, and it will be added to your blocked list. You can also block a number from the Contacts app by finding the contact and tapping “Block this Caller” at the bottom of the contact card.
Alternatively, you can also block a number from the Messages app. Open the conversation with the number you want to block, tap the contact icon at the top, and then tap “Info”. Tap “Block this Caller” and confirm that you want to block the number. Regardless of the method you choose, the number will be added to your blocked list, and you won’t receive any calls or notifications from that number again.
How do I unblock a number on my iPhone?
To unblock a number on your iPhone, go to the Settings app and tap “Phone”. Scroll down to “Call Blocking & Identification” and tap “Blocked Contacts”. Find the number you want to unblock and swipe left on it. Tap “Unblock” to remove the number from the blocked list. The number will now be able to call or message you again.
Alternatively, you can also unblock a number from the Contacts app. Find the contact you want to unblock and tap “Unblock this Caller” at the bottom of the contact card. Regardless of the method you choose, the number will be removed from the blocked list, and you’ll start receiving calls and notifications from that number again.
Can I block private or unknown numbers on my iPhone?
Yes, you can block private or unknown numbers on your iPhone. To do this, go to the Settings app and tap “Phone”. Scroll down to “Call Blocking & Identification” and toggle on “Silence Unknown Callers”. This feature will automatically block all unknown or private numbers, allowing only calls from known numbers to reach you.
Keep in mind that this feature may block some legitimate calls, such as calls from businesses or services that don’t provide their caller ID. You may want to consider adding numbers to your contacts list or creating a custom block list to ensure that important calls aren’t blocked.
Will blocking a number on my iPhone also block text messages?
Yes, when you block a number on your iPhone, it will block both calls and text messages from that number. When a blocked number tries to send you a text message, you won’t receive it, and the sender won’t know that their message was blocked. This is a convenient way to block spam or harassing messages in addition to unwanted calls.
Keep in mind that blocking a number only blocks communications from that specific number. If the same person contacts you from a different number, you’ll receive their calls or messages unless you block that number as well.
Can I block calls on my iPhone using third-party apps?
Yes, there are several third-party apps available that can help you block calls on your iPhone. These apps often offer more advanced features than the built-in call blocking feature, such as blocking entire area codes or creating custom block lists. Some popular call-blocking apps include Nomorobo, Truecaller, and Hiya.
When using a third-party app, you may need to grant the app access to your contacts and call history. Be sure to read the app’s terms of service and understand how it will use your data before installing and using it.
Will blocking a number on my iPhone affect my voicemail?
When you block a number on your iPhone, the caller will not be able to leave a voicemail. Instead, they will hear a generic message saying that the number is not available. This is because blocked calls are automatically rejected by your iPhone, and the caller is not given the opportunity to leave a voicemail.
However, if you want to allow blocked callers to leave a voicemail, you can use a third-party app that provides this feature. Some call-blocking apps allow you to redirect blocked calls to a special voicemail box, where you can review and respond to them if needed.