I recently tried signing into iMessage on my MacBook and found that I could send only SMS messages, not iMessages. I signed out and back in to reset things, but iMessage repeatedly logged me out. Apple Support told me that my phone number or Apple Account had been temporarily blocked for suspected spam, so I submitted an appeal and was told it could take up to 24 hours. The same thing happened to me earlier this year. I only use iMessage to communicate with friends, family, school group chats, and my long-distance partner. I do not send marketing or unsolicited messages, so I am confused about why this keeps happening. Could someone be reporting my messages, or could my number or account be compromised? How can I prevent another block?
3 Answers
The unblock process may not be immediate or consistent. Some people have reported that the account was approved but iMessage still would not activate until they restarted the device, signed out and back in, or waited for Apple's systems to update. If SMS messages are also failing or family members cannot reach you, explain that clearly to Apple Support and ask for escalation. Keep the approval emails and case details, since different support agents may not see the same status right away.
Several recipients reporting messages as spam can apparently trigger Apple's review system, even when the sender is a legitimate person. If Apple decides the activity matches its spam signals, it may block the phone number or Apple Account from using iMessage. Ask the people you regularly message whether anyone accidentally marked a conversation as junk, and avoid sending unsolicited or business-related messages through iMessage. Apple may also limit how many times a number or account can be restored, so it is worth securing the account and contacting support promptly.
It would be sensible to check for unauthorized access. Review the devices signed into your Apple Account, remove anything unfamiliar, change your password, and make sure two-factor authentication is enabled. Also check whether any unknown apps, profiles, forwarding settings, or connected services could be sending messages. If everything looks normal, the block may simply be an automated mistake or delayed reports from older conversations rather than something currently happening on your phone.
That is what worries me—I only message people I know. Is there any way to check whether someone else is using my number or Apple Account?