- Unblock on Android from Settings
- Unblock on iPhone from your Blocked list
- Unblock in WhatsApp Web or the desktop app
- Where to find everyone you've blocked on WhatsApp
- What changes after you unblock someone on WhatsApp
- Blocked versus muted versus archived on WhatsApp
- Unblocking a customer or supplier on a WhatsApp Business number
- Can you unblock yourself on someone else's WhatsApp?
- If the WhatsApp unblock option isn't working
- Before you let someone back in on WhatsApp
- Frequently asked questions
To unblock someone on WhatsApp, go to Settings, Privacy, then Blocked contacts, tap their name and choose Unblock. You can also open their old chat and tap Unblock at the bottom. Anything they sent while blocked won't arrive, so ask them to send it again.
People block in a temper and unblock once things calm down. Or a client's number got blocked by mistake when it looked like spam. Either way, lifting a block on WhatsApp is quick, and there are a few routes depending on your phone. What most people don't realise is that unblocking doesn't bring back anything they sent while the block was on. Here are the steps from WhatsApp's own help centre, and what to expect afterwards.
Unblock on Android from Settings
- Tap the three dots (More options) on the main WhatsApp screen and choose Settings.
- Tap Privacy, then Contacts, then Blocked contacts.
- Tap the name or number you want to let back in.
- Tap Unblock followed by their name or number.
WhatsApp lists two shortcuts as well. You can search for the person, tap and hold their name, then use the three dots and tap Unblock. Or open your last chat with them, scroll right to the bottom and tap Unblock.
Unblock on iPhone from your Blocked list
- Tap Settings or your profile picture.
- Tap Privacy, then Contacts, then Blocked.
- Swipe left on the person's name, or tap Edit and the red minus sign.
- Tap Unblock.
From a chat, you can tap the person's name or number and then Unblock. From your chat list, swipe left on their chat and tap Unblock.
Unblock in WhatsApp Web or the desktop app
- Open the chat with the person you'd like to let back in.
- Click the menu on the chat, or the menu at the top right of the chats window.
- Click Unblock, then Unblock again to confirm.
Where to find everyone you've blocked on WhatsApp
If you can't remember who you blocked, the full list lives in your privacy settings. WhatsApp's help centre puts it under Settings or your profile, then Privacy, then Blocked contacts (on newer versions you'll go through Contacts first). It's worth a quick look every so often, especially on a business number, because it's easy to block a real customer by mistake when a message looks like spam.
What changes after you unblock someone on WhatsApp
According to WhatsApp's help article:
- You and that person can send and receive messages, calls and status updates again.
- You won't receive any messages, calls or status updates they sent during the time they were blocked. Those are gone, not waiting in a queue.
That second point catches people out. If they tried to reach you while blocked, ask them to send it again. If you were hoping to recover an older conversation that you deleted, that's a separate problem, and I've covered the options in my guide to restoring old WhatsApp chats.
Blocked versus muted versus archived on WhatsApp
| Setting | Can they reach you? | Do you get alerts? |
|---|---|---|
| Blocked | No messages or calls get through | No |
| Muted | Yes, messages arrive | Not unless you change it |
| Archived | Yes, messages arrive | Only if you're mentioned or replied to, according to WhatsApp |
If you only wanted a bit of quiet, muting or archiving might suit you better than a full block. Unblocking and then muting is a perfectly sensible middle ground.
Unblocking a customer or supplier on a WhatsApp Business number
Business numbers pick up blocks quickly. A new enquiry arrives from a number you don't recognise, the message looks a bit odd, and it gets blocked along with the obvious spam. If a customer tells you they can't get through, check your Blocked list first. Unblock them, then send a short, friendly message so they know the line's open again. Don't assume they'll notice on their own, because nothing they sent during the block will have reached you.
It's also worth knowing what carries over. WhatsApp's help article says that if you move to a new phone number using the Change number feature, your blocked contacts stay blocked. If you set up a completely new WhatsApp account, they don't, and you'd need to block anyone again from scratch. So if a block seems to have vanished after a phone change, that's usually why.
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One more habit that saves headaches: when you block a number on a work account, make a quick note of who it was and why. Months later, when someone says they've been trying to reach you, you'll know straight away whether the block was deliberate.
Can you unblock yourself on someone else's WhatsApp?
No. This is a different situation entirely. If someone else has blocked you, WhatsApp says only they can remove it, and WhatsApp can't lift it on your behalf. I've explained the signs WhatsApp lists for being blocked if you're not sure what's going on. The same goes for businesses: if a business has blocked you, it's down to them.
If the WhatsApp unblock option isn't working
- Check you're in the right app. If you use both WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business, look in the one where you placed the block.
- Look for the person in the Blocked list rather than your chats if you've deleted the chat.
- Update the app. WhatsApp moves privacy menus from time to time, and labels vary by app version.
- If you set up a new WhatsApp account, your old blocks don't carry over, so they may not be blocked at all.
Before you let someone back in on WhatsApp
If you blocked this person because they frightened or harassed you, take a moment before unblocking. You can always keep the block in place and move the chat out of sight. If you need to, you can block them again in seconds. And if someone's threatening you, report it to the platform and, if you're in danger, contact the police.
Frequently asked questions
Will they know I've unblocked them on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp's help article doesn't describe any alert for this. They may simply notice that new messages start delivering again.
Will I get the messages they sent while blocked?
No. WhatsApp says you won't receive any messages, calls or status updates sent during the time they were blocked.
Where's the blocked list on WhatsApp?
Go to Settings, then Privacy and Blocked contacts. On some versions it's under Privacy, then Contacts, then Blocked.
Can I unblock a number I never saved?
Yes. It still appears in your Blocked list, or you can open the old chat and tap Unblock at the bottom.
Can WhatsApp unblock me on someone else's phone?
No. WhatsApp says only the person who blocked you can remove the block.
