The “Message blocking is active” error message that sometimes pops up on your iPhone can be incredibly frustrating, as it stops you from sending text messages no matter how many times you try.
This error message can occur due to any number of factors. It could be related to an incorrectly installed SIM card, an inactive mobile plan, blocked phone numbers, roaming settings, and more.
If you’re experiencing this issue on your iPhone, then you’re at the right place. This article will show you different ways you can fix the “Message blocking active” error on your iPhone.
Why do I see the “Message Blocking is Active” error message on my iPhone?
There are a lot of reasons why this error message could keep coming up any time you try to send a text message on your iPhone. They include,
- Limited storage
- Billing issues or expired mobile plan
- Incorrectly installed SIM Card
- Blocked phone numbers
- Wrong Carrier Code (for international numbers)
How to stop the “Message blocking is active” on iPhone
If you’re getting this annoying error message on your iPhone, you have to run some preliminary checks to see that everything is in place. Do these:
- Check that you have enough storage. Storage is very important for sending SMS on your iPhone and if your memory space is full, you could keep getting the message error.
- Make sure there is no issue with your network providers like temporary suspension or billing issues.
- Check the number you’re trying to text to ensure that it’s correct. If you are trying to text an international number, make sure the country code is correct
- Make sure your plane is not in Airplane or Flight Mode. You cannot send or receive calls or text messages when your phone is on Airplane Mode so make sure it is disabled.
If you keep getting the “Message blocking is active” message on your iPhone even after taking all the steps above, the following step will ultimately help you resolve the issue.
1. Check and Remove Contact from the Blocked List
The reason why you can’t send a text could be because the contact you are trying to text has been blocked on your iPhone. Even if you don’t remember blocking the contact, it could be that you blocked it accidentally or someone else who has access to your phone did, so it’s important that you confirm this.
To check and remove a contact from the blocked list: Go to Settings > Message. Under Message, click on Blocked.
If the number you are trying to text is among your blocked contact, simply Click on Edit at the top right of your screen, tap on the contact and click the Unblock button.
2. Enable “Send as SMS”
The Send as SMS setting allows you to send text as SMS when iMessage is unavailable. If this setting is turned off, you can only send texts on iMessage and not Carrier text messages. To enable “Send as SMS” on your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages, then scroll down and toggle Send as SMS.
Once you enabled the option you will be able to send an SMS on your phone
3. Check that your SIM card is properly installed
If you’ve recently changed your SIM card, it’s important to check that your SIM card is properly installed. To do this, power off your iPhone and remove the SIM card slot from the side of the device to retrieve your sim card.
Check for dust or dirt on the SIM card and also check maybe it’s damaged or still in good condition. Then insert the sim back in its proper place and turn on your phone. See if the message error is still occurring.
4. Reset Network Settings
If you’ve done all the steps above and still cannot send a message, resetting your network settings should help resolve the issue. This will also help if you’re experiencing any other network-related issues like a slow internet connection on your device. To reset network settings, go to Settings> General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Once you reset the network settings, it will take a few minutes for your device to restart and connect to the network. The setting will resolve all your network settings like your, cell phone network, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc. You can also tap on Reset all Settings. This setting will reboot your entire iPhone to fix any problems and you will lose your important data in the process. So make sure you back up all your important information first before trying this option.
5. Turn off iMessage
Sometimes, the “Message blocking is active error message could relate to your iMessage and not your regular messaging app. To be sure that the error is not iMessage related, you need to turn off iMessage. Go to Settings > Message > iMessage and toggle it off.
After turning iMessage off, try sending a message and see if it goes through. If successful, then you should know that the problem is from iMessage
6. Turn on Flight Mode for a few seconds then turn it back on
The issue could be from your network provider and, not even your iPhone. If your network service is low you’ll have problems sending text messages. One way to fix this is to go to a location where there is enough network service.
But if you can’t do that, you can temporarily turn off your network connection and turn it back on again. For this, you can use Airplane Mode. Go to Settings> Airplane Mode and toggle it on then wait for a few seconds before turning it back off. This should reset and improve your network, so try sending a message after this.
7. Contact your Network Provider
If you’ve tried all the steps above and message blocking is still active, then it’s time to contact your network provider or carrier. Let them know about the message issue that you’re having on your iPhone and let them assume responsibility for resolving the issue.
They might ask for some information so be ready with a list of details that they may need. After you contact your network provider, message blocking should be removed and you should be able to send messages normally.
Say goodbye to the “message blocking is active” error on iPhone
The “Message blocking is Active” error on iPhone is a problem that can be fixed. We are very sure that at least one of the solutions provided in this article will help you fix the problem once and for all. However, if the problem is from your Network Service Provider, you will have to contact them to resolve it from their end.
