What Does Message Blocking Is Active Mean On iPhone? (Quick Fix)

When you try to text someone but receive a “Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active” error instead, it means the number you are trying to text has been blocked. The most likely cause is that the number is in your block list or that they have blocked you. When a number is blocked by either you or the recipient of the text, you could get the “Message Blocking is active” error. But it could also be caused by an issue from your carrier that’s blocking the receiver’s number, parental controls or a required software update. To fix the issue, you should go down the list of causes starting with the most likely which is your own blocked number list.

The most likely cause of a “Message Blocking is active” error when you try to send a text is a blocked number. There are many different reasons why a number may be blocked in your phone. Any time you try to text a blocked number you’ll get a “message blocking is active” error.

Since the most likely cause of a “Message Blocking is active” error when you try to send a text is a blocked number, that’s where you should start. The best way to check if this is the cause is to either call them or check your blocked number list. If you’re blocking the number, your call won’t go through or you’ll see the number in your block list.

To fix the problem, simply unblock the number.

What Does It Mean When You Get “Message Blocking Is Active”?

When you use your phone to send a text message and receive an error message saying “Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active:”, it means the number you’re trying to text has been blocked.

The most likely cause of a “Message Blocking is active” error is that the number is in your block list or that they have blocked you. When a number is blocked either by you or the recipient of the text, you could get the “Message Blocking is active” error. But it could also be caused by an issue with your carrier that’s blocking the receiver’s number, parental controls or a required software update.

To fix the issue, you should go down the list of causes starting with the most likely, which is your own blocked number list.

The number is being blocked by you
The text is being blocked by the recipient
Parental controls, your carrier or a necessary software update could also be blocking the call

This same issue can happen on both Android phones and iPhones.

If you’re blocking the number, your call won’t go through or you’ll see the number in your block list. To fix the problem, simply unblock the number.

I’ve provided a step by step guide with pictures on how to unblock a number on an iPhone below. If you have an Android phone, the screen may look a little different but the basic process is the same.

Why Message Blocking Is Active?

Message blocking can be activated for several reasons. But the most likely cause is that you have done it yourself. Trying to text a number that you’ve blocked will typically return a “Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active:” error. The next likely cause is that you’ve been blocked by the recipient. In this case, the only way to send texts is if they unblock you. The least likely reasons why you’re receiving a “Message Blocking is active” error are a carrier issue, a software update and a problem with your phone plan.

Here are some more reasons why you may be receiving a “Message Blocking is active” error:

Service is down: If your provider’s service is down, you’ll be unable to send a message. In this case you may receive the error “Message Blocking is active” . Usually, this is just a temporary issue.
Premium message access is disabled: If you’ve configured your phone to not send or receive premium SMS messages, you may receive a “Message Blocking is active” error when you try to send a premium SMS message.
Short code issues with T-Mobile: “Message Blocking is active” errors can happen with T-Mobile because of an error with their short-codes. Contact T-Mobile support and they’ll fix the issue for you.

Here are more possible causes why your getting a “Message Blocking is active” error and how to fix it.

Blocked Number

The most common cause of a “Message Blocking is active” error is that you’ve put the number in your phone’s block list. This could be intentional or accidental.

If you receive a “Message Blocking is active”error when you send a text, it could also indicate that you’ve been blocked by the recipient.

The easiest way to identify if this is the cause is by calling them, checking your block list or texting a different number.

If your call does not go through then the number is blocked
Check to see if you’ve blocked the number yourself
Text a different number to see if the issue is more widespread or just with that one specific number

If you’re able to text different numbers, the issue is just with the number you’re receiving the “Message Blocking is active”error from. This is a good clue because it means the problem is not with your carrier or a software update.

Carrier Issue

Another likely cause of a “Message Blocking is active” error is a problem with your carrier. An error message could mean the carrier you use for your service may be experiencing some sort of problem like a temporary service outage.

You can usually identify this by doing the following:

Checking the network bars at the top of your screen to see if you have service. If there’s no service, then that could be the reason why you got the error.
Try texting other numbers in your phone. If you get the error for more than one number it could be a service issue.
Call your service provider to make sure there are no outages and that your bill is paid.

A carrier issues also means that you won’t be able to send or receive texts or calls with all your contacts. Not just the contact you got the “Message Blocking is active” error from.

Phone Plan

A reason why you could be receiving the “Message Blocking is active” error is if you have a specific plan from your carrier or sim that has limitations. For example, if you have a Data only plan, then you might not be able to send messages without an internet or data connection. If you try to send a message without an internet or data connection, you’ll get the error.

Check your data plan to see if it contains any Data clauses. I recommend calling your provider and asking. It’s a lot faster than reading the entire plan by yourself.

If this is this problem, it will also be there for all your other contacts. This makes it easier to identify as a plan issue rather than a single blocked number.

How Do You Fix Active Message Blocking?

The best way to fix the “Message Blocking is active” error depends on the cause. Once you identify the cause of the error, fixing the problem becomes much easier. The most likely cause is that you are blocking the number yourself. So this is where you should always start.

Go to your contacts or blocked number list and see if the number is blocked. If it is, unblock it. Another way to check if the number is blocked is to call it. If the number is blocked the call won’t go through.

Next, try installing any software updates and restarting the device. You’d be surprised how many times a simple update and restart can fix an error.

You should try a restart even if you do not have any updates. In some cases, the phone may have tried to restart automatically at night but had an issue.

If the problem isn’t that you’re blocking the number and an update/restart didn’t work, check your plan, carrier and parental controls.

Check Your Service Coverage

You can check your service coverage by looking at the Network or Service bar on the top right corner of your screen. If there are no bars, you probably don’t have service. Try again in a few minutes or you move to a new location. Coverage issues can often go away on their own when something outside of your control is blocking the signal.

If the problem is persistent, try restarting your phone and/or re-inserting the sim. If that doesn’t work, take a trip to your provider. They can test the sim to make sure it’s working properly and give you a new one if it isn’t.

Change Sim Cards

If the reason why you’re getting a “Message Blocking is active” error is with your carrier, changing the sim can usually solve the problem. I recommend going to your provider and having them check the sim before making a change. But if you have an old one lying around you can change it yourself.

If you don;t have another sim care, take out the old one and re-insert it. Then restart the phone. This can sometimes fix an error.

Text Again

In some cases, you may have simply made an error when sending the text which caused the “Message Blocking is active” error. Delete the text and start over. Close and then open the Messages app before re-sending the text.

You could also try clearing the cache in your phone. It’s in the settings. A phone restart could also help.

Change Your Phone Plan

If you get a “Message Blocking is active” error from texting all of your contacts, then it might be a Data Plan or Phone Plan issue. Call your carrier to find out if your Plan allows text messages or has data restrictions.

If your plan has restrictions on text messages, it’s easy to add, update or change a service plan. However it may be at an additional cost.

Use A Messaging App

If you’re receiving a “Message Blocking is active” error while texting, try using a messaging app instead of the standard service provided by your phone. You should still try to identify the cause of the error message. But a separate messaging app can deliver your texts while you try to fix the problem.

How To Unblock A Number On iPhone & Android

The most common reason why you’ll get a “Message Blocking is active” error while texting is a blocked number. Since a blocked number is the most common reason for the error, this is where you should start.

Here’s how to do it on both Android phones and iPhone.

Step 1. Open The Phone App

The most common reason why you’ll receive a “Message Blocking is active” error when trying to text is a blocked number. Luckily, unblocking the number is very easy to do.

First, open the “Phone” app. The the green square with a phone icon inside. Once inside the “Phone” app, you can unblock a number from either the “Recents” or “Contacts” tab.

If you’re in “Recents”, either click the small “(i)” next to the contact you want to unblock or tap the “Contacts” tab at the bottom of the screen. By clicking the “(i)”, you’ll be taken directly to the contacts “Info” page.

Step. 2 Select A Contact To Unblock

While in the “Contacts” tab, click the contact you want to unblock. Clicking a contact will take you to their “Info” page where you can then unblock them.

Step 3. Tap Unblock This Caller

Once your looking at a contacts “Info” page, scroll to the bottom. If it says “Unblock this Caller”, it means the number has been blocked. When you try to text this contact you’ll likely receive the “Message Blocking is active” error.

Tap “Unblock this Caller” to unblock the number. You should now be ab;e to text them without receiving the error message.

How To Fix “Message Blocking is Active” On Android Phones

Go into your phone’s “Settings” and check if you have the number blocked.

Open the “Messages” app and tap on the three dots in the top right corner of your phone. Tap on “Blocked”.

This should show you which contacts are blocked.

How To Fix “Message Blocking is Active” On iPhone

To fix the “Message Blocking is active” error on iPhone, open the “Settings” app and then navigate to “Messages”. Find the “SMS/MMS” option. Towards the bottom of the screen you’ll see the the “Block Contacts” option.

From the list of contacts, check if the number you’re trying to text is present. If it is, simply unblock it to fix the error.

You can also unblock a number from your “Contacts”. Open the “Phone” app and click “Contacts”. Tap the “Contact” you’re trying to text and scroll to the bottom of the screen. If the number is blocked it will say “Unblock this Caller”. Click it to unblock the number.

Another way to check is from your “Recents” list. Open the “Phone” app and lick “Recents” at the bottom of the screen. Click the small blue (i) next the contact you want to check. Scroll to the bottom of the screen. If it says “Unblock this Caller” the number is being blocked. Click it to unblock the number.

Enable Premium Message Access

A reason why you may be getting a “Message Blocking is active” error when you try to send a premium SMS message is when you have premium message access disabled. If you’ve configured your phone to not send or receive premium SMS messages, you’ll receive the error when you try.

Here’s how to fix the error:

Swipe down in the “Notification” panel from the top on your phone
Tap the “Settings” icon
Go to “Apps” > “Apps”
Click the “3-Dot Menu” and select “Special Access”
Tap “Premium SMS Access”
Tap “Message” and then tap “Ask“

After your done enabling premium SMS access, try to send the message again. If this was the problem your message will go through.

How Do You Know If Someone Blocked Your Number?

The most common reason why you’ll get a “Message Blocking is active” error when texting a number is if you or the recipient is blocking the text. It’s easy to check if you’re the one blocking the number. But there’s no way to know for sure if they are. However there’s a few things you can do to check.

The easiest way to tell if someone is blocking your number is to try calling them. If your call doesn’t get through it may be blocked. Try again from another line that they don;t know the number to. If it goes through it’s a clue that your other number has been blocked.

Are Text Messages Still Delivered If Your Number Is Blocked?

No, if someone has blocked your number and you receive a “Message Blocking is active” error, your texts will not be delivered. The messages do not go through and there’s no way the recipient will even know you tried to text them.

On some phones the messages may be sent to a spam folder. In these cases, the recipient would have to check the folder to know that you tried texting them. They will not receive alerts or notifications telling them that you sent a text.

Update Your iPhone To Fix “Message Blocking Is Active”

One of the reasons why you may receive a “Message Blocking is active” error when sending a text is that your phone requires a software update. This is a very easy fix that you can do any time you’ve got a strong connection and the phone is plugged in.

Here is how to do it:

Enter the phone “Settings” menu on your iPhone.
Select “Software Update” under the general menu.
Wait for your device to download and install the update and restart.

I recommend letting your phone update automatically while you sleep to avoid issues like this. But if you like to update the phone yourself, make sure you do it as soon as you receive the notification from Apple. Software updates may also contain security updates that help keep your phone and data secure.