WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to block contacts, preventing them from viewing your profile photo, status, or sending you messages.
However, this has led many WhatsApp users to wonder – if I block someone, can they still see my profile picture and status updates? Here is a detailed look at how blocking works on WhatsApp and its impact on profile photos and status visibility.
Does Blocking on WhatsApp Hide Your Profile Photo?
Yes, when you block someone on WhatsApp, your profile photo automatically becomes hidden from the blocked contact. They will no longer be able to see your current profile picture or any new ones you set.
Here is how it works:
- Open WhatsApp and go to your chat list
- Tap and hold on the contact you want to block
- Tap on More options > Block contact
Once blocked, the blocked contact will no longer be able to:
- View your profile photo
- See your status updates
- Call you on WhatsApp
- Send you messages on WhatsApp
So your profile picture immediately becomes hidden after blocking someone. Even if you update your profile photo or status, the blocked contact will not be able to see any changes.
What Does a Blocked Contact See Instead of Your Profile Photo?
When a contact is blocked, instead of your profile picture they will see a default blank or grey placeholder icon. This applies to both individual and group chats.
The default icon does not give any indication of who the profile belongs to. So your identity and privacy remain protected even though your photo is hidden.
Can the Blocked Contact Still Visit Your Profile Photo?
No, a blocked contact cannot manually visit your WhatsApp profile or view your full-size profile picture. The profile picture and last seen status will show as “Not available” to the blocked user.
This applies even if the blocked contact tries to access your profile from a group chat you have in common or from the contacts list. There is no way for them to bypass the block to view your profile pic.
Does Blocking Delete the Profile Photo from Their Phone?
Blocking does not automatically delete or remove the profile picture stored on the contact’s device. But they have no way to access or view it.
If the blocked user had previously saved your profile photo directly to their phone’s local storage or contacts list, it may still show there. But re-opening WhatsApp will replace it with the default blank icon.
Can Mutual Contacts Share Your New Profile Photo?
WhatsApp’s privacy settings prevent even mutual contacts from sharing your new profile picture updates with blocked users. Your settings automatically become “My Contacts Except…” for the blocked person.
So if you update your profile photo after blocking someone, mutual friends in common will not be able to forward or share the new profile pic to the blocked contact either on WhatsApp or outside it.
Does Blocking On WhatsApp Notify the Other User?
No, when you block someone on WhatsApp, they are not directly notified about it. There is no message sent to them about being blocked.
But they will notice that your profile photo is no longer visible, and any messages sent to you remain undelivered. If they try calling, the call will not go through. This indicates to the blocked user that you have likely blocked them.
Can a Blocked Contact Tell if You’ve Blocked Them?
While there is no explicit notification, there are some signs that indicate to the user that they have been blocked:
- Your profile photo replaced by a generic icon
- All messages they send you remain on a single check mark and undelivered
- Cannot see your ‘Last Seen’ status in chat
- Any WhatsApp calls immediately decline or are unsuccessful
If the user sees these changes immediately after messaging or contacting you, it becomes quite clear they have been blocked. But there is no definite way for them to confirm it.
Can I See a Blocked Contact’s Profile Photo Updates?
No, blocking on WhatsApp works both ways. So if you block someone, you are also unable to see any new updates to their profile picture or status.
A blocked contact’s profile photo and last seen status will both show as “Not available” in your chat list and messages. Calls from blocked numbers will also be automatically declined.
Should I Notify Someone Before Blocking Them?
You do not need to inform someone before blocking them on WhatsApp. The platform does not require sending a notification.
However, if the contact is known to you personally, it may be courteous to let them know you intend to block them and why. This avoids any confusion or misunderstandings in the future.
Can I Unblock a Contact Later on WhatsApp?
Yes, you can unblock contacts at any time on WhatsApp. To unblock someone:
- Open WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts
- Tap on the crossed out contact you want to unblock
- Confirm unblocking by tapping on Unblock.
This will immediately allow them to view your profile photo, status and send you messages again. The process is quick and easy to reverse if you change your mind.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking on WhatsApp automatically hides your profile photo and last seen status from blocked users.
- They will see a generic default icon instead of your actual profile picture.
- Blocked contacts cannot manually visit your full profile or view your updated profile pictures.
- Mutual friends also cannot share your new profile pic with a blocked person due to privacy settings.
- You can unblock contacts anytime later if needed.
Conclusion
Blocking someone on WhatsApp provides complete privacy by hiding your profile photo along with your status updates. The blocked user has no means to view or access your current or new profile picture in any way.
This allows you to avoid unwanted communication easily. At the same time, your identity and information remain protected even after blocking. If needed, you can always unblock the contact to restore regular messaging and profile sharing capabilities.