7 Fixes for Message Blocking is Active Error on Android and iPhone

Quick Tips

• The “Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active” error usually occurs when you have blocked a contact or haven’t enabled the premium SMS messages service.
• Ensure that your phone’s date and time settings are correct, and try updating the carrier settings to resolve this issue.
• If the error persists, your last resort is resetting all your phone’s network settings.

Basic Fixes

• Remove and re-insert the SIM card: An improperly placed SIM card can cause errors while sending text messages. Hence, it’s a good idea to eject and reseat the SIM card properly.
• Check your carrier plan: If you forget to renew your cell plan or have reached your plan’s monthly quota, that’s an obvious reason for your carrier to block messaging services for your phone number. Contact your carrier or use its app to ensure your plan has not expired.

Fix 1: Check Blocked Contacts

If the “Message Blocking is active” error only appears when you try to send a message to a specific contact, you may have accidentally blocked that person. To view blocked contacts on your iPhone or Android, use these steps:

On Android

Step 1: Open the Phone app on your Android > tap the three-dot menu icon at the top right corner > select Settings.

Step 2: Tap Blocked numbers > tap the minus icon next to a number or contact name to unblock it.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone > head to Phone > Blocked Contacts.

Step 2: Tap on Edit at the top right corner. Then, tap the red minus sign on the left of the contact or number.

Step 3: Select Unblock and tap on Done to save changes.

Fix 2: Enable Premium SMS Access (Android)

Premium SMS messages are sent using a specific shortcode. Since these messages are chargeable, your phone might block them by default. To send them anyway, enable Premium SMS access on your Android by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your phone > tap on Apps & notifications.

Step 2: Tap on Special app access. Then, scroll down and tap on Premium SMS access.

Step 3: Tap the Messages app > select Ask or Always allow.

Fix 3: Disable iMessage (iPhone)

The Messages app on your iPhone allows you to send regular SMS and iMessages from the same place. However, this can sometimes cause conflicts and errors. To check for this possibility, disable iMessage on your iPhone and see if that helps.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down to tap on Messages > toggle off iMessage.

Fix 4: Enable Automatic Date and Time

Certain services and apps may stop working if your phone is set to an incorrect date or time. To avoid inconsistencies, always set your phone to use the network-provided time by following the steps below.

On Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your phone > scroll down to tap on System > tap on Date & time.

Step 2: Toggle on Use network-provided time.

On iPhone

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone > navigate to General.

Step 2: Tap Date & Time > toggle on Set Automatically.

Fix 5: Update Carrier Settings

Outdated carrier settings can also trigger the “Message Blocking is active” error on your phone. Thankfully, mobile carriers regularly release updates to improve network connectivity and performance.

To update carrier settings on your phone:

On Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your phone > tap on Network & internet.

Step 2: Go to Mobile network > tap on Settings version. Your phone will look for any carrier updates and install them.

On iPhone

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Navigate to General > About. If there are any pending updates, a pop-up will appear. Tap on Update and follow the on-screen prompts to install it.

Fix 6: Reset Network Settings

If updating the carrier settings proves ineffective, there may be an issue with your iPhone’s network settings. In that case, consider resetting all the network settings on your phone to fix the problem.

On Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app > scroll down and tap on General management.

Step 2: Tap Reset > select Reset network settings from the following menu. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to finish resetting the network settings.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app > navigate to General > tap on Transfer or Reset iPhone.

Step 2: Tap on Reset at the bottom > choose Reset Network Settings.

Fix 7: Contact Your Carrier

Many mobile carriers also allow you to enable or disable message blocking through their apps. For example, T-Mobile allows its users to block SMS by logging into their account on the website or through the T-Mobile app. If you or the primary account holder have previously enabled SMS blocking, contacting your carrier will help you fix the “Message blocking is active” error.