WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, used by over 2 billion people worldwide. It allows you to easily communicate with friends, family, colleagues, and more through free messages, calls, photos, videos and more. One useful WhatsApp feature is the ability to block contacts – this prevents them from viewing your profile photo, status and stops any messages or calls coming through. However, you may want to block someone on WhatsApp, but still allow regular SMS text messaging with them. Here’s what you need to know about selectively blocking on WhatsApp.
Can I block someone’s WhatsApp but still text them?
Yes, you can block a contact on WhatsApp while still allowing regular SMS text messaging with that person. Here’s why and how it works:
- WhatsApp uses an internet data connection while SMS texting relies on your cellular signal.
- Blocking on WhatsApp prevents access via the WhatsApp app while SMS texts will still come through.
- You can block a contact directly in WhatsApp settings while leaving their cellular number unblocked.
- This allows you to stop WhatsApp communication with that person but continue basic text messaging.
In summary – as WhatsApp and SMS texting work independently, you can block someone on just the WhatsApp side. Any SMS texts sent as regular messages will still reach you. This gives you more control over managing contact with that person.
Step-by-step guide to blocking on WhatsApp but not SMS
If you want to block someone on WhatsApp but keep texting open, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to your chat list.
- Tap and hold the chat with the contact you want to block.
- Tap More > More > Block contact.
- Confirm the block when prompted.
This will block them on WhatsApp only. To text them:
- Go to your phone’s messages/SMS texting app.
- Start a new message thread with their cellular number.
- Compose and send SMS texts as normal.
You’ve now blocked them on WhatsApp while keeping SMS texting open. They will no longer see your WhatsApp activity and messages will be blocked.
Why block on WhatsApp but allow SMS texts?
There are a few reasons you may want to block someone on WhatsApp but keep SMS texting open:
- Avoid constant WhatsApp messaging but keep occasional SMS contact open.
- Prevent access to your WhatsApp personal info but allow basic communication.
- Block their WhatsApp if you had a falling out but want to stay in touch.
- Stop notifications and calls but keep a messaging channel open.
In essence, it allows you to limit contact to just SMS texts when needed. You control the communication while opening just one channel.
What happens when you block someone on WhatsApp?
Blocking a contact on WhatsApp has the following effects:
- They can no longer see your profile photo, status and “last seen” time.
- Any messages they send you on WhatsApp will not go through.
- Any WhatsApp calls from them will be blocked and not ring on your end.
- You will not receive any notifications from that contact on WhatsApp.
- They will not know if you’ve read their messages marked with a blue double tick.
- Your WhatsApp messages will no longer go through to that contact.
Essentially, it cuts off all WhatsApp communication between you and that contact in both directions. But it does not affect regular text messaging.
What can the blocked person see?
When you block someone on WhatsApp, it limits what they can see from your side:
- Your profile photo will show as blank to a blocked contact.
- Your “last seen” status will not update for them.
- Their messages will show as delivered but not read (single grey tick).
- They cannot see if you’re online or recently active on WhatsApp.
So while you’ve blocked them, they can only see limited info from you. Your online status and any blue double ticks are hidden. But regular SMS communication remains open.
Can a blocked contact still message you?
If someone is blocked on WhatsApp, any messages they send will not be delivered to you. On their side, it will show the messages as sent but not delivered to you (single grey tick). They have no indication if you’ve read their texts (no blue ticks). Any WhatsApp calls they make will also not go through.
But since SMS texting works separately, they can still send regular texts outside of WhatsApp. These messages will be delivered unless you also block their number for SMS too.
How do I unblock someone on WhatsApp?
If you change your mind later and want to unblock a contact on WhatsApp, here are the steps:
- Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts.
- Tap the Unblock button next to the contact.
- Confirm you want to unblock when prompted.
This will remove the block so they can message and call you on WhatsApp again. You can repeat the blocking steps above to reinstate it any time.
Can I block someone just for SMS texts?
Similar to blocking on WhatsApp only, you can also block someone just for regular SMS texts while leaving WhatsApp access open. Here’s how:
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts.
- On Android, open your SMS app > Settings > Block numbers.
- Add the phone number you want to block for SMS.
This will stop any SMS texts from their number while allowing WhatsApp access. You can remove the block at any time to reopen SMS messaging.
Conclusion
Blocking on WhatsApp while keeping SMS texts open gives you more control over managing contact with someone. It avoids constant WhatsApp messaging but retains a minimal communication channel. Remember these key points:
- You can block someone directly in WhatsApp settings while leaving SMS unblocked.
- Blocking prevents them seeing your WhatsApp profile and stops all messages/calls.
- But they can still send regular SMS texts which will reach you.
- Use this selective blocking to limit contact but keep texting open.
- You can unblock or reblock the contact at any time in WhatsApp settings.
Overall, selective blocking is useful for limiting unwanted WhatsApp contact. Keep texting available for occasional basic communication without constant messaging.