In today’s digital age, communication is just a few taps away. With the rise of messaging apps like iMessage, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, staying in touch with friends, family, and acquaintances has never been easier. However, there are times when we need to take a break from someone or block them altogether. But what happens when you unblock someone on iMessage? Do you receive the messages they sent while they were blocked? In this article, we’ll delve into the world of iMessage and explore what happens to messages when you unblock someone.
Understanding iMessage Blocking
Before we dive into what happens when you unblock someone, let’s first understand how blocking works on iMessage. When you block someone on iMessage, you’re essentially preventing them from sending you messages, making phone calls, or making FaceTime calls. Blocking someone on iMessage also prevents them from seeing your last seen or online status.
When you block someone, their messages will not be delivered to your device, and they will not receive any notification that you’ve blocked them. However, it’s essential to note that blocking someone on iMessage only blocks them on your device. If you use multiple devices with the same Apple ID, you’ll need to block the person on each device separately.
What Happens to Messages When You Block Someone
When you block someone on iMessage, their messages will not be delivered to your device. However, this doesn’t mean that the messages are deleted or lost forever. Instead, the messages are stored on Apple’s servers, waiting to be delivered to your device when you unblock the person.
It’s worth noting that if you block someone and then delete the conversation, the messages will be deleted from your device, but they will still be stored on Apple’s servers. This means that if you unblock the person and then restart the conversation, the deleted messages will not be restored.
Unblocking Someone on iMessage: What Happens to Messages
Now that we’ve understood how blocking works on iMessage, let’s explore what happens when you unblock someone. When you unblock someone on iMessage, you’ll start receiving messages from them again. However, the question remains: do you receive the messages they sent while they were blocked?
The answer is yes, you will receive the messages they sent while they were blocked, but only if you unblock them within a certain timeframe. According to Apple, if you unblock someone within 30 days of blocking them, you’ll receive all the messages they sent while they were blocked. However, if you unblock someone after 30 days, you will not receive any messages they sent while they were blocked.
It’s essential to note that this 30-day timeframe is not a hard and fast rule. Apple’s support page states that messages may be delivered after 30 days, but this is not guaranteed.
Why You May Not Receive Messages After Unblocking Someone
There are several reasons why you may not receive messages after unblocking someone on iMessage. Here are a few possible reasons:
- The 30-day timeframe has expired: As mentioned earlier, if you unblock someone after 30 days, you may not receive any messages they sent while they were blocked.
- The messages were deleted from Apple’s servers: Apple’s servers may delete messages after a certain period, usually 30 days. If the messages were deleted from Apple’s servers, you will not receive them even if you unblock the person.
- The person deleted the messages: If the person who sent the messages deleted them from their device, you will not receive them even if you unblock them.
How to Unblock Someone on iMessage
Unblocking someone on iMessage is a straightforward process. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Scroll down and tap on “Messages.”
- Tap on “Blocked Contacts.”
- Swipe left on the person you want to unblock.
- Tap “Unblock.”
Alternatively, you can also unblock someone from the Messages app. Here’s how:
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap on the conversation with the person you want to unblock.
- Tap on the “i” icon in the top right corner.
- Tap on “Unblock this Caller.”
What to Do If You’re Not Receiving Messages After Unblocking Someone
If you’re not receiving messages after unblocking someone on iMessage, there are a few things you can try:
- Check your internet connection: Make sure you have a stable internet connection. If you’re not connected to the internet, you won’t receive messages.
- Check your Messages settings: Ensure that you have not blocked the person again or restricted their messages.
- Restart your device: Sometimes, restarting your device can resolve connectivity issues.
- Contact Apple Support: If none of the above steps work, you can contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when you unblock someone on iMessage, you will receive the messages they sent while they were blocked, but only if you unblock them within 30 days. If you unblock someone after 30 days, you may not receive any messages they sent while they were blocked. It’s essential to understand how blocking and unblocking work on iMessage to avoid any confusion or missed messages.
By following the steps outlined in this article, you can unblock someone on iMessage and start receiving messages from them again. Remember to check your internet connection, Messages settings, and restart your device if you’re not receiving messages after unblocking someone. If none of these steps work, you can always contact Apple Support for further assistance.
What happens to messages when you unblock someone on iMessage?
When you unblock someone on iMessage, any messages they sent you while they were blocked will not be delivered to your device. This is because blocking someone on iMessage prevents their messages from being sent to your device, and unblocking them does not retroactively deliver those messages. As a result, you will not receive any messages that were sent while the person was blocked.
However, once you unblock the person, any new messages they send you will be delivered to your device as normal. You will receive notifications for these messages, and you can respond to them as you would with any other message. It’s worth noting that the person you unblocked will not be notified that they were previously blocked, and they will not be aware that their messages were not delivered.
Can I retrieve messages that were sent while someone was blocked?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to retrieve messages that were sent while someone was blocked on iMessage. Once a message is blocked, it is not stored on Apple’s servers or on your device, and it cannot be recovered. This means that if someone sent you an important message while they were blocked, you will not be able to retrieve it, even if you unblock them later.
If you need to retrieve a message that was sent while someone was blocked, your best option is to ask the person to resend the message. This can be inconvenient, especially if the message was time-sensitive or important. However, it’s the only way to retrieve the information that was sent while the person was blocked.
Will the person I unblocked know that they were blocked?
No, the person you unblocked will not be notified that they were previously blocked on iMessage. When you block someone, Apple does not send them a notification or any indication that they have been blocked. Similarly, when you unblock someone, they will not receive a notification or any indication that they were previously blocked.
As a result, the person you unblocked will not be aware that their messages were not delivered while they were blocked. They will simply be able to send you messages again, and you will receive them as normal. This can be useful if you want to unblock someone without them knowing that they were previously blocked.
Can I block someone again after unblocking them?
Yes, you can block someone again after unblocking them on iMessage. To do this, simply go to the Messages app, open the conversation with the person you want to block, and tap the “Info” button. Then, tap “Block this Caller” to block the person again.
Blocking someone again after unblocking them will prevent them from sending you messages, and any messages they send while they are blocked will not be delivered to your device. You can repeat this process as many times as you need to, blocking and unblocking someone as necessary.
Does unblocking someone on iMessage affect other Apple services?
Unblocking someone on iMessage does not affect other Apple services, such as FaceTime or Phone calls. If you block someone on iMessage, it only prevents them from sending you messages through the Messages app. It does not prevent them from calling you or sending you FaceTime requests.
However, if you want to block someone on all Apple services, you can do so by going to the Settings app, tapping “Phone,” and then tapping “Blocked Contacts.” From here, you can add the person’s phone number or email address to your blocked contacts list, which will prevent them from contacting you through any Apple service.
Can I unblock someone on iMessage using my Mac or iPad?
Yes, you can unblock someone on iMessage using your Mac or iPad. To do this, simply open the Messages app on your Mac or iPad, and go to the conversation with the person you want to unblock. Then, click or tap the “Details” button, and click or tap “Unblock this Caller” to unblock the person.
Unblocking someone on iMessage using your Mac or iPad will have the same effect as unblocking them on your iPhone. The person will be able to send you messages again, and you will receive notifications for these messages. You can also block and unblock someone on iMessage using the Messages app on your Apple Watch.
Is there a limit to how many people I can block on iMessage?
No, there is no limit to how many people you can block on iMessage. You can block as many people as you need to, and each person will be prevented from sending you messages through the Messages app. However, it’s worth noting that blocking a large number of people can make it difficult to manage your blocked contacts list.
If you need to block a large number of people, you may want to consider using a third-party app or service to help you manage your blocked contacts. These apps can provide additional features and tools for managing your blocked contacts, such as the ability to block multiple people at once or to schedule blocks in advance.