How to Fix Message Blocking is Active on iPhone & Android

You are sending a message to someone, but instead of delivered status, you are getting an error message “Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active.” When you see the error message, the first thing that may come into your mind is that the receiver has blocked you from sending messages.

But that’s a wrong assumption because if someone has blocked your number, the message will be successfully sent on your end. No such error message will appear. You may wonder why you see this error message if the receiver has not blocked your number.

Don’t worry. Here in this article, we will explain the actual reasons for the error along with a few working ways to fix it.

Reasons For Message Blocking is Active

In our research, we discovered the “Message Blocking is active” error mainly occurs when sending messages to T-Mobile users. However, the issue might not just be limited to T-Mobile. You may face it with other operators. The actual reason for the error is that the carrier has blocked text messaging.

T-Mobile offers a message Blocking feature to its users that blocks unwanted messages. When active, it blocks text and picture messages and instant messages sent via SMS. So, if you see this error message, the receiver has enabled the feature on their phone.

All About Message Blocking

As the name Message Blocking suggests, the feature is designed to block messages. One can use it in two ways.

1. Block Text and Picture Messages: It blocks all chargeable incoming and outgoing SMS and MMS messages.
2. Block Instant Messages Sent Via SMS: The second option blocks chargeable instant messages sent via SMS. When the service is selected, one can’t send or receive instant messages even with a messaging plan.

Message Blocking block all the messages except for a few exceptions.

1. It doesn’t block free messages sent by third-party providers. It mainly includes messages that notify you of your purchases.
2. Standard-rate messages are also not blocked by Message Blocking.
3. Voicemail notifications are not part of Message Blocking.
4. Wireless Emergency Alerts are yet another exception
5. Service notifications will continue to be delivered.
6. Instant messages on Windows-powered mobile or Blackberry devices.

Fix Message Blocking is Active (iOS or Android)

If the receiver has message blocking active on their phone (could be iPhone or Samsung), there is nothing much you can do. You will continue to receive the same “Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active.” error message whenever you try to send a message. Still, there are two ways you can try to reach the receiver.

1. Send A Voicemail

As you may have read in the message blocking exception section; Voicemail notifications are allowed even when it is active. The blocking doesn’t apply to voicemail notifications. You can send a voicemail message and ask the other person to turn off message blocking.

2. Try Calling The Person

If you don’t receive a response to your voicemail, the last thing you could do is try calling that person. When they receive the call, ask them to turn off message blocking. They might not be aware that it is active on their phone, and they are missing out on many important messages.

Manage Message Blocking on T-Mobile

If you have Message Blocking enabled on your phone, you can easily manage it on T-Mobile. You only need to remember that only primary account holders can turn off Message Blocking. That being said, you can turn off the feature on T-Mobile.com or use the T-Mobile app.

The Message Blocking option appears at the bottom of the Blocking page. You can click here to visit the Blocking page directly. From there, scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the Message Blocking options and turn off the feature.

Once you have turned it off, ask one of your friends to send you a message to see if you have received it and the feature is successfully turned off.

FAQs

How do I turn off message blocking active?

If you are a sender seeing the message blocking active error message, you can’t turn it off. If you are a receiver and want to turn off Message Blocking on your phone, visit T-Mobile.com or open the T-Mobile app. You will find the blocking options at the bottom of the page.

What does it mean when you get a message blocking active?

It means the receiver has enabled the message blocking feature on their phone. It is a T-Mobile feature that allows users to block unwanted messages to and from their phones. When enabled, senders will see the “Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active.” error message.

How do I unlock my message blocking?

You can unlock your message blocking by visiting T-Mobile.com or using the T-Mobile app. The blocking options appear at the bottom of the blocking page. From there, you can turn it off to continue receiving messages from your friends, family members, or colleagues.

How do I fix the unable to send error ‘message blocking is active?’

You can fix this unable to send messages by contacting the receiver and requesting them to turn off message blocking on their phone. This is the only way you can fix the issue. As the receiver has asked the carrier to block all the messages, there is nothing you could do to bypass the blockage except request them to turn it off.

How do I fix “message blocking is active” on Android?

The Free Msg: Unable to send message – Message Blocking is active.” error message has nothing to do with Android or iOS. It is not an error but a feature that T-Mobile offers its users. When a user has turned on message blocking on their phone, no matter if someone tries to send them a message from an Android or iOS smartphone, they will receive the same error message.