To find blocked numbers on iPhone 12, open Settings, tap Apps, then tap Phone, and select Blocked Contacts. This is the documented path on current iPhone software to view your complete list of previously blocked numbers.
How to find blocked numbers on iPhone 12
The direct way to find blocked numbers on your iPhone 12 is through the Settings app. Follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone 12.
- Tap Apps.
- Tap Phone.
- Tap Blocked Contacts.
You will now see every number and contact you have blocked. Apple also documents an alternative path: Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts, which serves as the current central list on newer iPhone software. Both paths lead to the same shared blocked contacts list that applies across Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and Mail.
Managing your blocked contacts list
From the Blocked Contacts screen, you can add new numbers directly. Tap Add New or Block Contact, then select a contact from your address book or manually enter a phone number. This list is shared across Apple's four communication apps, so blocking a number here also blocks them in FaceTime, Messages, and Mail.
If you need to review who you have blocked, this screen gives you a complete overview. It is especially useful when you are trying to know if youre blocked or their phone is dead, since checking this list confirms whether you have intentionally blocked a contact.
Unblocking a number
To unblock a number on your iPhone 12, use the following steps:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts.
- Tap Edit in the top-right corner.
- Tap the red delete button next to the entry you want to unblock.
- Tap Unblock to confirm.
Apple also documents older per-app paths such as Settings > Phone > Blocked, Settings > FaceTime > Blocked, and Settings > Messages > Blocked, where you also use Edit to remove an entry. Unblocking in any one of these apps removes the number from the block list across all four Apple communication apps: Phone, FaceTime, Messages, and Mail.
What happens when a blocked number calls you
When a blocked number calls your iPhone 12, the phone will not ring and the call goes directly to voicemail. The caller is not shown as a normal incoming call. To check if a blocked caller left a message, open the Phone app and tap Voicemail. Blocked voicemails appear in a separate section, but you will not receive a notification for them.
If you are experiencing issues with missing notifications, you might be dealing with a different problem entirely. For help with that, see not getting text notifications on iPhone? here'S how to fix.
Silence unknown callers vs. blocking
The block list is different from the Silence Unknown Callers feature. To find Silence Unknown Callers, go to Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. This feature sends calls from unknown numbers to voicemail without ringing, but it does not block them. A number on your block list is permanently blocked until you unblock it, while Silence Unknown Callers applies to any caller not in your contacts, recent outgoing calls, or Siri suggestions. For a broader understanding of managing unwanted calls, you can read about blocking calls and numbers on any phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked number leave a voicemail on iPhone 12?
Yes, a blocked number can still leave a voicemail. The voicemail is stored in a separate 'Blocked Messages' section, and you will not receive a notification for it. You can find it by checking the Voicemail tab in the Phone app.
Will the caller know they are blocked?
No, the caller will not receive any message indicating they are blocked. They may notice their calls go directly to voicemail after one ring or no ring at all, but there is no explicit notification.
How can I confirm a number is on my blocked list?
If the number appears in that list, it is blocked. You can also check via Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts, which shows the same list. You can also open the Phone app and tap Recents; if a contact is blocked, you will see no recent calls or messages from that number.
How do I block unknown callers?
This feature sends calls from unknown numbers directly to voicemail without ringing.
