if you unblock someone will their messages come through iphone

2 min read 10-03-2025

if you unblock someone will their messages come through iphone

Unblocking someone on your iPhone allows for the resumption of communication, but whether their past messages reappear depends on several factors. This article will delve into the intricacies of iMessage and how unblocking affects past and future message delivery.

Understanding iMessage and Blocked Contacts

When you block someone on your iPhone, you're essentially creating a communication barrier. Their messages won't be delivered to your inbox, and they may receive a notification indicating that their message couldn't be sent. However, the specifics depend on whether you're using iMessage or a standard SMS/MMS text message.

iMessage Blocking

If you blocked someone using iMessage, their messages are effectively silenced. They won't appear in your Messages app. Unblocking them will not retrieve any of the blocked messages. Think of it like a deleted message; once blocked, that data is no longer stored in your inbox.

SMS/MMS Blocking

Standard SMS/MMS messages behave differently. While blocking prevents delivery to your inbox while blocked, unblocking might allow you to retrieve some messages depending on your phone's settings and your carrier's message storage policies. It's not guaranteed; some carriers delete these messages after a set time, while some might keep them longer.

The Unblocking Process and Message Retrieval

The process of unblocking is straightforward:

Open the Settings app.
Tap "Messages".
Tap "Blocked".
Swipe left on the contact you wish to unblock.
Tap "Unblock".

Once unblocked, future messages from this contact will come through normally. However, remember that past messages remain unrecoverable in most cases.

FAQs: Unblocking and Messages

Q: Will I receive a notification that someone unblocked me?

A: No, there's no notification system indicating that you've been unblocked.

Q: Can I recover blocked iMessages?

A: No, blocked iMessages are not recoverable once unblocked. They are effectively deleted from your device.

Q: What about messages sent while the person was blocked?

A: These messages are unrecoverable. They are not stored on your phone.

Q: My carrier is storing SMS messages longer - can I retrieve them?

A: Potentially, but this depends entirely on your carrier's policies and isn't guaranteed. Contact your carrier for information about their message retention policies.

Q: What if the person I blocked sent me a picture via SMS/MMS?

A: Similar to text messages, recovering these pictures is unlikely after unblocking, but depends on your carrier's storage duration.

Conclusion: Unblocking and Past Messages

While unblocking a contact restores future communication, it doesn't magically bring back previous messages. Whether or not past SMS/MMS messages appear depends on factors beyond your control. For iMessages, unfortunately, any messages sent while the contact was blocked are lost. Always be mindful of your actions when blocking contacts on your iPhone.