Have you ever been in that situation where you’ve got a text from someone you thought you’d blocked?
You’re pretty sure you’ve set your phone to make sure this person never contacts you again. But, somehow, they’ve managed to do it.
This article will discuss why blocked numbers may still be texting you and how you can solve this problem.
Why am I still getting texts from a blocked number?
You may be receiving texts from a blocked number for several reasons.
- You didn’t force restart your phone after blocking them.
- You blocked the person on an app rather than messages.
- You have two SIM cards and only blocked them on one number.
- They are contacting you on iMessages.
- You have a blocking app that doesn’t work.
- There is an issue with your carrier’s blocking service.
- Your software is outdated.
We will offer solutions based on the above reasons.
How do I stop getting texts from a blocked number?
Take a look at the list of questions below to troubleshoot why a blocked number is still texting you and how you can stop it.
Did you force restart your phone after blocking the person?
You could still be receiving texts from a blocked number because you didn’t restart your phone. Sometimes, forcing your phone to restart will allow the blocking to take effect as it refreshes software and solves issues.
Here’s how to force restart an iPhone X, Xs, Xr, 11, 12, and 13. Click here if you have an older version of iPhone.
- Press and release “Volume Up”.
- Press and release “Volume Down”.
- Press and hold the side button.
- Let go of the side button when you see the Apple logo.
If you have an Android phone, force restarting is easier. Just hold the power button for 30 seconds.
Did you block the person from messages?
Perhaps you never blocked this person from messages. You might have blocked them on the app they were harassing you on, be that Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.
But, despite this, they still have your phone number, which they are using to contact you.
For iPhone
- Go to the Messages app.
- Tap the name or phone number of the person you wish to block.
- Click “info”.
- Click “info” again.
- Scroll down and click “Block this Caller”.
For Android
- Tap the profile picture icon next to the number or name.
- Tap on the three vertical dots in the top right of the screen.
- Select “Block this Number”.
- Select “Block”.
Are you using 2 SIM cards?
Most people will have one SIM card. But, there may be people who have two. If you’re one of them, this section is for you. Perhaps you like to keep your personal and business life separate. Or maybe you share a phone with someone else.
Here is how you can change whichever SIM card you’re using to block the number.
If your phone has just one SIM card slot but you use 2 SIM cards by turns, take out that SIM card and replace it with the other. You’ll then have to repeat the blocking process. Instructions for how to block a number are in the above section.
If you have a dual SIM iPhone and block a person in the Messages app, you block the person for both SIM cards. However, if you still get messages from one of the SIM cards, you can contact your carrier for blocking options.
If you’re a double SIM Android user, you might have a phone with two SIM card slots.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select “Connections”.
- Select “SIM Card Manager”.
- Turn off the SIM Card for the number you’ve already blocked them on.
- Follow the above instructions to block them on the other number.
- Go back to the “SIM Card Manager.”
- Turn the other SIM card back on.
When the texts are in blue bubbles? (Only for iPhone users)
iPhone users usually get the question “I blocked a number but I still get texts on my iPhone. Why?”
If you’re an iPhone user and notice that all messages from the blocked number appear in a blue text bubble, this person is contacting you on iMessage.
Unlike SMS, iMessage works via the internet. And now, for something that might sting a bit.
At the time of my writing this article, you cannot block someone on iMessage. I know it’s 2022, and Apple is a technological giant. And there is still no way to block someone on iMessage.
What you want to do about this is up to you. But, here are a few options.
- Block them on Messages, and stop using iMessage.
- Contact the police if it’s harassment.
- Ignore them.
Are you using a third-party blocking app?
Some people use a third-party blocking app to stop someone from calling you or sending messages to you. However, such apps might not work properly all the time. Sometimes when you haven’t updated it for a long time, there might be some problems with its features. In this case, try updating the app first to see if it will make any difference in the blocking job. If not, just uninstall it and try another blocking app. Be sure to check the reviews for as many as possible before making a final decision.
Is there any problem with the carrier’s blocking service?
Sometimes, there could be an issue with your carrier’s blocking service. I’m afraid this is not an issue you can do anything about, as the problem will be with their servers.
Check their website and social media accounts to see if they mention anything about it. If the problem is your carrier, all you can do is wait for them to sort the issue out. It rarely takes more than a few hours.
If you are not sure about that, it is also recommended to contact them to ensure that the blocking service is working well.
Are you using outdated software?
If your phone uses outdated software, bugs could be anywhere. Because of that, your phone might not be able to block phone numbers anymore. The solution is to update your phone’s software.
For iPhone.
- Open the Settings app.
- Select “General” and then “Software Update”.
- iPhone will check if there is any new version of iOS.
- When it shows a new version, click “Download and Install” to update your iPhone software.
For Android.
- Open the Settings app.
- “System Update”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update your software.
