What does Message Blocking Is Active Mean on Android & iPhone – Best Fixes

Many users have seen the “free msg: unable to send message – message blocking is active.” error a couple of times, and this could get tiring, especially when we need to send an urgent message.

And the fact that text messaging is a very vital part of our communication every day, any issues with getting information across in a short time could be heartbreaking.

Users with iPhone (ios) or Android devices have seen the “message blocking is active” error immediately after sending a text, and for most users, T-Mobile has been the main carrier with this issue, but we try to make this guide easy to follow for users who may have experienced this issue on some other carriers.

What does message blocking is active mean? Let’s take a closer look at the “message blocking is active” issue and see the options we can explore to have this fixed as soon and as seamlessly as possible.

What does message blocking is active mean? Possible reasons for the issue

The “message blocking is active” error you see on Android devices and iPhones would mean you have blocked the other person. One of the first things to note when you receive this error is that the receiver either has you on their block list or you have them on your block list.

Service outage

The “free msg: unable to send message – message blocking is active.” error could mean you have a service outage, and its one of the most common reasons for this error. So you’d want to give it a few minutes or hours before retrying as there is a chance that your network provider is doing maintenance, and might have paused the messaging service.

Shortcode issues on T-Mobile

Another cause we have heard about from T-Mobile could be an error with the shortcode. Some message blocking active errors were caused by shortcodes being either inactive or incorrect. Verify that this isn’t from your end, if you’re on the clear, then the error would be on T-Mobile’s end, and you would have to contact them so they can have their technicians fix the issue.

Text message app restrictions

The “free msg: recipient unable to receive message – message blocking is active.” error would mean that the recipient has restricted messages coming from a certain group of users. Some messaging applications might have issues working seamlessly with your carrier.

If any of these was used, you might have to check to see if you can manually allow these applications. If there isn’t an option to allow these applications, then you might not be able to resolve this issue on your own.

Data plan issues

You also want to be sure of the plan you’re subscribed to. If you are trying to send messages from a Data only plan, then there’s a chance that the message wouldn’t go through, and you’ll get this error message.

Check for premium message support

You should also confirm that the service you’re sending the message to supports a premium text messaging service. We earlier talked about not being able to send the message because your carrier doesn’t support a premium text messaging service, in this case, you should be sure that the issue isn’t on the recipient’s end.

How to fix and unblock “message blocking is active” error issue

To have this error message fixed, you should try any of these possible solutions. Tell us which of these options did the job for you in the comments.

Fix 1: Check coverage

If the coverage in an area is listed as None, then you wouldn’t be able to send or receive texts or make and receive calls.

Fix 2: Is your mobile device account active?

On the device settings page in your account, check and confirm that your phone is Active, if it’s listed as Suspended or Still Porting, then you wouldn’t be able to send or receive text messages.

Fix 3: Are text messages part of your plan?

We mentioned this earlier. In your account device settings page, see if the Can Send/Receive Text Messages setting is enabled. Enable this option if not yet enabled. If you don’t seem to be able to enable the option, then likely, you don’t have text messaging as a part of your plan or your number is inactive.

Read also: Message+ Keeps Stopping – The Solution to Message plus Keeps Stopping

Fix 4: What’s the country code?

If the error was on international texts, a simple Google search of the country code will help you see if you are using the correct one.

Fix 5: Restart the process

If the “free msg: receiver unable to receive message – message blocking is active.” error is only on one phone, there might be issues with the number. Maybe it’s incorrect. Delete and re-save the number and retry.

Fix 6: Eject and Swap the SIMs

Try swapping the SIM cards in your Samsung phone and try messaging with a new SIM. If it works, then the issue is probably with the SIM. We have seen cases where the inability to send messages was SIM-specific, so check if that is the case for you.

Read also: Receiving My Own Text Messages on Android and iPhone – Causes and Fixes

Fix 7: Text Content

Some users have been able to resolve this by sending only plain texts in messages. There is a chance that this error was caused by all the other non-plain-texts added to the message. Remove all attachments, emojis, pictures, or graphics in the message and retry.

Fix 8: Do A Complete Factory Reset

The last resort would be a complete factory reset of our device. To do this, go to Settings >> select Reset >> tap Factory Data Reset >> enter the information it requests and do a complete factory reset of your phone to have it return to default. Things should work if you try this, but I should warn you that it has to be the very last resort.

How to Turn OFF iPhone message blocking is active on 6, 7, 8, XR or 12

In this section of the article, we’d be sharing practical fixes that should help you turn OFF message blocking active on iPhone.

Note: Through our tests and fixes, one thing we notice is that iPhone users seem to have a few more things [in addition to the ones we recommend for android users, so check those as we added some things we didn’t add here that could help to give attention when your phone says message blocking is active.

These would range from something as simple as tweaking an option in settings to doing a complete software update. So you want to try the fixes in the order in which we arranged them as it’s arranged from the simplest to the most advanced. You also want to restart your phone and confirm that this issue is reoccurring.

Fix 1: Check That the Recipient Information Is Entered Correctly

For any messaging and emailing issue, we recommend this first as many issues we face are often a result of entering the information of the recipient wrongly. Missing a number or a letter would cause a text message or an email to not deliver to a recipient. So check that that phone number or email is correct.

Fix 2: Turn iMessage OFF (from settings)

Turning iMessage OFF is both a fix and a way to isolate the fault. There is the iMessage and the regular texting app on your iPhone, and any one of them could be the culprit, so turn one OFF and try messaging with the other, and in this case, it will be the iMessage.

To do this, tap Settings >> go to Messages >> select Turn iMessage OFF. Try sending a message after doing this. If that doesn’t fix the problem, let’s try the next fix.

Fix 3: Try to send a Text Using iMessage

Since iMessage wasn’t the issue, this process will focus on a simple troubleshooting task on the iMessage app and then trying to send a message with it.

To do this, ensure that your phone has good internet connection (always leave iMessage OFF when you don’t have internet connection or an active data plan) >> go to Settings >> select Messages >> select Send & Receive >> tap on the Apple ID >> and select Sign Out >> reboot your iPhone >> go back to the Settings app >> select Messages >> and tap Use Your Apple ID for iMessage.

Fix 4: Check Quality of the Network

Since the iMessage app uses an internet connection, having a good internet connection on your phone is important.

A lot of people will recommend resetting your network settings, but there is absolutely no reason to do that if other internet-based apps on your phone are working perfectly. Just confirm that other applications like Facebook, WhatsApp, Google Chrome, and others can use the internet. If they can’t, then it’s less an issue with your text messaging and more an issue with your phone.

Fix 6: Are They Blocked? Are You?

This is self-explanatory, when talking about how to turn OFF Message Blocking Active on iPhone and android, we recommended this a lot. If either of you is blocked, you will get this error.

Fix 7: Update to the Latest iOS / Consider the Age of Your mobile device

You would want to check that your device has the latest software running on it. Compared to android phones, iOS software updates are very important to iPhones. The difference between the first 3 iPhones and the last three iPhones is the software updates.

If you are using an older iPhone that is probably not getting new OTA (over the air) updates, or you’ve not installed an update in a while, that could be our culprit. To check for updates from Apple, go to Settings >> select General >> select Software Updates, and you complete any available software updates.

Fix 8: Do A Complete Factory Reset On iPhone

The last resort would be a complete factory reset of our device.

To do this go to the Settings app >> tap General >> select Reset >> select Erase ALL Content and Settings >> Confirm your desire to erase said content >> enter your Phone PIN code and your Apple ID password to turn OFF Apple Find My service >> the screen will go blank, an Apple logo with the progress bar will appear >> you will be greeted with flashes of “Hello” in different languages when the reset completes.

If you try this, things should work, but I should warn you that it must be the last resort.

How to Turn OFF Android message blocking is active on Samsung S8, S9, S10, S20, A20, J3, J7

If you are using a Samsung smartphone, all the fixes we recommend for android phones apply to you, and here are some that would work especially for Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Fix 1: Enable Premium SMS on your Samsung Galaxy

One setting you don’t have on other android phones is a premium SMS feature, and if you’re looking to fix message blocking on Samsung, that is where you want to start.

To do this: go to Settings >> select Apps >> click the three dots on the upper right corner of your screen >> select Use the Premium Text Message Services >> select the APP, and if you get a popup on allowances, select Always Allow.

Fix 2: Do A Complete Factory Reset On Samsung

The last resort would be a complete factory reset of our device. To do this, go to Settings >> select Reset >> tap Factory Data Reset >> enter the information it requests and do a complete factory reset of your phone to have it return to default. Things should work if you try this, but I should warn you that it has to be the very last resort.

Message Blocking Is Active Text Problem on Lycamobile

Since 2019, you would experience the message blocking active notification when you send a message on Lycamobile if your plans expire and you haven’t recharged.

1. To resolve the Message Blocking Active Text Messages Problem on Lycamobile, visit the Lycamobile website and purchase a plan. Many users have stopped seeing this issue after buying a plan as low as $19.
2. We will recommend turning off the Wi-Fi to see if messages will start sending. Some users have noticed that disabling Wi-Fi has somehow rectified this issue, and they can start sending messages on Lycamobile
3. We will also recommend putting the Lycamobile sim card in another smartphone. We have found that some sim-related issues are device-specific, hence changing the sim to another device fixes it.
4. Another possible fix to the Lycamobile text messages problem is that you isolate the problem in question. Sometimes, you’d be able to send from your email to your phone but can’t send from your phone to email, in which case we will recommend going to Settings >> Networks >> Mobile Networks >> Access Point Name >> Input and Save the recommended settings from Lycamobile.
5.  Another fix for this Lycamobile text messages problem is to check if your device has the preferred message center settings for Lycamobile. Go to Menu >> Messages >> Message Settings >> Sending Profiles >> Tap the first profile to see if the figures fit the latest Lycamobile message center. To get the Lycamobile message center number, reach them at 1-845-301-1612.

How to deactivate Message Blocking Active on Metro Pcs

1. If your plan doesn’t allow international calls, either from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, or Australia, a simple upgrade or subscription will fix this in most cases.
2. The second thing to check is if the sim card is the issue. Trying switching devices and see if the sim works with your other device. If it does, then you might check to be sure what could be wrong. You could also do a network reset as there might be issues with either your message preferences or your network.
3. You might also contact Metro Pcs to request a refresh of your smartphone and sim card’s message features. Quite a good number of customers have found that this fixes the issue for them.
4. You also want to consider the recipient. If the recipient doesn’t have their phone bill paid for, this might lead to you seeing message blocking active on Metro Pcs

Can You Still Receive Texts If You’re Disconnected on Metro Pcs?

No, you will not be able to receive or send direct calls or texts if your phone service is disconnected on Metro PCS. Anyone who tries to text you when the service is disconnected will receive a ‘Subscriber unavailable or service blocked’. In addition, their messages will be stored in the provider’s computer system for a limited time.

You can only receive texts when you use apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Instagram, etc., that require internet alone. You can also try out secondary number apps like Google voice, sidekick, pinger, textplus, textnow, burner, wickr, backchat, Twilio, or textfree.

How To Turn OFF Message Blocker On Android

To turn OFF message blocker on Android, you can either unblock the particular contact you are trying to reach or enable premium SMS.

To unblock a contact:

1. Go to Settings
2. Find the phone icon and click on it
3. Tap Call Blocking &Identification
4. Here, you’ll see a list of your blocked contacts
5. Click on Edit or swipe left on the contact you are trying to reach to unblock them

Alternatively:

1. Go to your messaging app
2. Tap the menu icon in the top right corner (the three vertical dots)
3. Select Settings >> Spam filter >> Remove from spam numbers
4. Tap and hold the contact you are trying to reach
5. Select Delete >> OK

Check other messaging or phone apps where you might’ve blocked the contact and unblock them.

To enable premium SMS:

1. Go to Settings and select More in the top right corner
2. Tap Application Manager >> All >> Messages
3. Select Premium SMS and Always Allow

Conclusion

When you see the ‘message blocking is active’ error, you start to wonder if you’ve been blocked. Blocking someone could be fun, but it becomes much less fun when it’s you who gets blocked.

We highly recommend reading through this article to learn how to confirm if you are actually blocked and how to fix the issue.