Blocking a contact on your iPhone prevents them from contacting you through iMessage and SMS. But what happens to those messages? This guide will delve into how blocked messages are handled on iPhones, addressing common questions and concerns.
Can I Still See Messages from Blocked Contacts?
No, you will not see new messages from a blocked contact. They won't appear in your Messages app, nor will you receive notifications. This is the primary function of blocking – to completely cut off communication.
What Happens to Messages Sent Before Blocking?
Messages sent before you blocked the contact will remain in your Messages app. They won't disappear just because you blocked the sender.
How to Unblock a Contact to See Their Messages?
If you want to see any messages sent after blocking the contact, you must first unblock them. Here's how:
- Open the Settings app: Find the grey icon with gears.
- Tap on "Notifications": This will bring up a list of your apps and their notification settings.
- Scroll down and select "Messages": This will show you all the messages you've received.
- Tap on "Blocked": This will list the contacts you have blocked.
- Find the contact you want to unblock and swipe left: This will reveal an "Unblock" button.
- Tap "Unblock": The contact is now unblocked.
Any new messages sent after you unblock them will then appear in your Messages app. Remember that you'll be receiving messages again from this contact after unblocking.
Will Blocked Messages Show Up If I Delete My Messages and Restore From Backup?
No. If you delete your messages and restore from a backup made after you blocked the contact, the blocked messages won't reappear. The backup only contains data up to the point of the backup creation; blocking a contact removes those messages from the available data to be backed up.
Can I See Blocked Messages Without Unblocking?
Unfortunately, no. Apple's design intentionally prevents you from viewing messages from blocked contacts without unblocking them first. This is a security feature to protect you from unwanted contact.
How Can I Tell if Someone Has Blocked Me?
There's no definitive way to know for sure if someone has blocked you on iMessage. However, signs that may indicate this include:
- Messages aren't delivering: You see a single grey checkmark instead of two blue checkmarks (indicating the message was successfully sent and delivered).
- Calls don't go through: Repeated calls go straight to voicemail without ringing.
- Your messages aren't being read: You don't see "Read" receipts even if you have them turned on.
Important Note: These signs alone don't conclusively prove blocking, as there might be other reasons for these issues (network problems, phone issues, etc.).
What Happens to Blocked Messages from a Different Phone Number?
If the person uses a different phone number to contact you, those messages will appear in your Messages app if you haven't blocked that number. Blocking only affects communication from the specifically blocked number or contact.
This comprehensive guide should answer many of your questions about blocked messages on your iPhone. Remember, while blocking is a powerful tool, it's crucial to use it responsibly.
