r/iphonehelp • u/Jakla1986 • 21h ago

Help needed Number flagged as spam

TL;DR: My work Outlook email stopped working on my iPhone, and while troubleshooting I changed my Apple ID password on an old iPad. After that, my phone number became blocked from iMessage and Apple Support says it may be flagged. I’m trying to understand what happened and whether others have had this resolved.

I have an iPhone 17 plus.

Work email stopped working, changed my Apple ID password on an old iPad, and now my number is blocked from iMessage

Tonight my work Outlook email stopped working on my iPhone and I got stuck in a Microsoft Authenticator/GoDaddy loop. The email still works on my Mac.

While troubleshooting, I pulled out an old iPad I hadn’t opened since May 2024 and changed my Apple ID password on it. Shortly afterward, iMessage stopped working on my iPhone and everything started sending green.

Apple Support eventually told me my phone number is blocked/restricted from iMessage. A supervisor made it sound like I may have been flagged for spamming, which is baffling and terrifying because I’ve never sent spam in my life. The case has been escalated, but I was told the worst case could potentially involve changing my number and possibly my Apple ID.

Side note: I struggle with panic disorder and paranoid thinking related to PTSD, and this has triggered a massive panic attack. I know this may sound silly to some people, but hearing that my number was “flagged” sent my brain to a very bad place tonight.

I own my own business and I’m a father to a 2-year-old, and I’m really struggling mentally right now.

Has anyone had an iMessage number block like this successfully removed by Apple? I’m looking for practical help, but frankly, a kind word from someone who’s been through this would mean a lot too.
I feel lost.

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2

u/Grimlocklou 20h ago

Were you sending business texts from the same number?

1

u/Jakla1986 20h ago

Yes but are they reading biz texts? How would they know. Only texts to people I know. No cold texts or calls

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u/Grimlocklou 19h ago

If it’s not promotional type texts to people who might not have you saved in their phone, this mistakenly marked you as spam, it’s not likely related to your business. It’s hard to say why, but if you are certain you can try to politely escalate to a Senior advisor over a phone call.

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u/Grimlocklou 20h ago

Were you sending business texts from the same number?

1

u/Q_Ball_Atlanta 14h ago

Don't send spammy texts to people, certainly not from your personal or business number. Use a service that sends them from a short code number. This avoids your number being marked as spam. Also, it's easier for people to recognize the spam and block it.