Are you receiving a text that reads, “Unable to send a message – Message Blocking is active” every time you try to send a text message? It is an unpleasant experience when your iPhone cannot carry out such an essential task. This error mainly appears when you have blocked the recipient, or the recipient has blocked you.
However, there are times when this issue occurs due to reasons like issues with iMessage, Date, and Time settings, etc. Read along to learn how to fix the Message blocking is active error on your iPhone and resume sending text messages without any issues.
1. Insert SIM card correctly on your iPhone
If you have switched to an eSIM, you can skip this step and move on to the next one.
For those who still use a physical SIM and are facing the Message Blocking is an active error, please check if you have inserted the SIM card incorrectly.
For those unaware, eject the SIM tray out of the slot, align the SIM card correctly with the SIM tray, and reinsert it into your iPhone. You can also restart your iPhone if you cannot see the cellular network icon.
2. Verify your cellular plan details with your carrier
You need an active cellular plan to send text messages. If you have an active plan and are still facing this issue, please check if you have exhausted your text message quota (if you aren’t on an unlimited plan). And, if your plan has expired, renewing it will resolve the Message Blocking is an active error.
3. Verify the phone number
More often than not, we are in a hurry while sending text messages. Due to this time crunch, we tend to mistype a digit or forget to enter the country code before sending the message. In such cases, when the number is invalid, we receive the Message Blocking is Active text when trying to send a text message. So, before we proceed to the next step, re-check the recipient’s phone number and ensure you’ve entered the correct digits.
The primary reason your iPhone displays this error is that you have blocked the recipient contact or vice versa.
However, if you’ve accidentally blocked the contact you are trying to send a message to, you can unblock the contact from your end.
4. Unblock contact on your iPhone
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to Phone.
- Tap the Blocked Contacts options.
- Check the list to spot the number you want to unblock ➝ tap Edit at the top right corner.
- Tap the minus icon to the left of the number you want to unblock, and tap the Unblock option to the right of the contact number.
- Now tap Done at the top right corner to close the Edit page.
You have successfully unblocked the contact and can proceed to send them a text message.
There is no dedicated application for iMessage. Instead, both text and iMessages use the same Messaging app on the iPhone. To prevent any conflict between the two, try to disable iMessage and check if that resolves the issue.
5. Disable iMessage on your iPhone
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to Messages.
- Turn off the iMessage toggle.
Now that you’ve disabled iMessage, try sending the text message. If you are still getting the Message Blocking is active text message, move on to the next step.
6. Fix Date and Time settings
The date and time settings should always be set accurately on your iPhone. If the date and time set on your iPhone are different from your region’s actual date and time, you might face several issues, and many services might not work as intended.
If there is a discrepancy between your iPhone’s date and time settings, we recommend you enable the Set Automatically option in Settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to General.
- Select the Date and Time option.
- Turn on the Set Automatically toggle.
7. Update carrier settings
Cellular network providers, aka carriers, push out updates to the network that help improve connectivity, performance, etc. These updates also enable features like 5G, Wi-Fi calling, etc. Follow the steps mentioned below to update carrier settings on your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to General.
- Tap About.
You should see a red icon beside the About option if there are any updates. Moreover, if there is an update, the screen will display a pop-up regarding the same. Follow the on-screen instructions, and you are good to go.
8. Update to latest iOS version
Another possible reason that you are receiving the Message Blocking is active might be because of an iOS software bug. We’re all aware of how iOS 16 has been so far, and even though the operating system has come a long way since then, there are still several bugs within the software.
To ensure there is no software issue causing this problem, update your iPhone to the latest stable iOS version.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap the Download and Install option at the bottom of the screen.
9. Reset Network Settings
Network settings sometimes get plagued with issues that you can’t quickly resolve. In such cases, it is best to reset the network settings of your iPhone.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Navigate to General.
- Scroll down and select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset and select the Reset Network Settings option.
- Now enter the iPhone’s passcode to reset all the network settings.
10. Contact your carrier
If none of the above troubleshooting methods helped you resolve the issue, you should try contacting your carrier and asking them for a solution to this issue. This issue may be specific to your carrier, and they might not have noticed it yet.
You can contact your carrier on their respective websites or their support phone. The support team, if aware of the issue, will most certainly be able to resolve the issue.
11. Contact Apple Support
The last resort for all issues will be contacting Apple Support. They tend to have solutions; even otherwise, you at least get an idea if the issue is widespread or is explicitly affecting your device.
Additionally, if there is some hardware problem causing this issue, you can get it fixed if your device is under warranty or if you have subscribed to an AppleCare+ plan. With that said, head to the nearest Apple Store or refer to our guide on contacting Apple Support.
FAQ
If you are trying to send a text message to a user you’ve blocked or if the recipient has blocked you, you will receive the Message Blocking is active message.
Send Messages without any errors
I hope following the above-mentioned methods has solved the “Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active” error on your iPhone. If you’re aware of some other method that helped you resolve the issue, please let us know in the comments below, and we’ll include it in our list to help others undergoing the same problem.
Also, if you have any other doubts, do let us know in the comments below.
Read more:
- iMessage not working on your iPhone? 10 Real fixes
- How to use Messages app on iPhone: A complete guide
- Best iMessage alternatives
- How to stop apps from downloading on all Apple devices
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Consumer Technology and Motorcycles are the two things that excite Darryl the most. Why? Because Tech helps better people's lives, and solving people's problems related to tech is something he enjoys. And what about bikes, you ask? Well, drop a gear and disappear.
The information you provided was very helpful, however, the issue I am having is that I can’t send or receive texts from any of my contacts and I get the same messages blocked messaging is active. I don’t see any of my contacts in my blocked list only the spam calls I receive.
This just started happening yesterday so it was working fine and then I went to send a text to someone and there was the message.
Any suggestions?
If you’re still facing the issue, you may restore all the default settings by going to: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings.
This should solve the issue and help you start afresh.