When using messaging apps like WhatsApp, the ticks that show up next to a message can indicate whether your message has been successfully delivered and read. The two grey ticks specifically signify that your message has been successfully sent from your device, but it has not yet been delivered to the recipient’s device. There are a few possible reasons for this:
Delayed Delivery
The most common reason for seeing two grey ticks is that there is a delay in the delivery of your message. This simply means your message is still making its way through the server to the recipient’s device. Potential causes include:
- Poor internet connection on either end
- The recipient’s phone being switched off or in airplane mode
- Network congestion causing slower message transmission
In most cases, the two ticks will eventually turn blue once the message is delivered. As long as the two grey ticks are still visible, your message is still in transit and has not been blocked or stopped from the recipient’s end. You just need to allow some time for the delivery to go through.
Recipient Has You Blocked
While less common, two grey ticks can also mean the recipient has blocked you, preventing your messages from being delivered. On WhatsApp, when you block someone, their messages will never change from two grey ticks since your device rejects them before they can be delivered. Some signs you may be blocked include:
- Your messages consistently remain on two grey ticks and never get delivered
- Your calls to the recipient never go through
- You cannot see the recipient’s last seen or online status
If you are seeing these signs along with the two grey ticks, it likely means you have been blocked. However, keep in mind that it does not provide definitive proof on its own, as the ticks could just indicate a delivery issue.
Recipient Has Uninstalled WhatsApp
If the recipient has uninstalled WhatsApp from their device without deactivating their account, it can also lead to messages permanently stuck on two grey ticks. When WhatsApp is removed without account deletion, your messages will fail to deliver since there is no app to receive them, but the account still exists to send read receipts. This results in a state where your messages remain undelivered, but never turn green.
Account Does Not Exist
Finally, two grey ticks can indicate the recipient’s account does not actually exist. This can happen if you mistyped their phone number or if they have deactivated their WhatsApp account. In this case, your messages cannot be delivered because there is essentially no valid destination account to send them to.
How to Confirm if You’re Blocked
Since two grey ticks alone are not definite evidence of being blocked, here are some tips to help confirm whether you have actually been blocked by the recipient:
- Try calling them on WhatsApp – if your calls do not go through, it’s likely you’re blocked.
- Ask a mutual friend to check if your messages are being delivered to the recipient.
- Check if the recipient’s profile photo, about section, and last seen status are visible to you – if not, they may have blocked you.
- Try sending a message from another device or phone number to see if it gets delivered.
- Pay attention to the ticks when messaging someone else – if they turn blue, then your device and internet connection are working fine.
If you’ve taken these steps and are still only seeing two grey ticks, then it’s quite likely you’ve been blocked, especially if this has been occurring for an extended period of time. The only way to know for absolute certain though is to ask the recipient directly from another channel whether they’ve blocked you.
What to Do If You’re Blocked
If you confirm that you have been blocked, here are some tips on what to do next:
- Respect their decision – Avoid trying to contact them on other channels, which can come across as invasive.
- Reflect on what went wrong – Think about what may have caused them to block you, such as inappropriate behavior.
- Move on – Accept that the relationship or friendship has run its course for now.
- Don’t make assumptions – There may be a benign reason like changing their number.
- Give it time – With time and space, the situation may resolve itself.
Getting blocked can be upsetting, but try not to take it too personally. Focus on self-improvement and give them space. If the relationship is meant to be, the block will eventually be lifted. But you should not try to force contact or make the situation worse.
Conclusion
In summary, two grey ticks on WhatsApp do not definitively indicate that you have been blocked, but they can signify potential delivery issues. However, if the grey ticks persist for an extended time, especially accompanied by an inability to call or see the recipient’s status, then it likely means you have been blocked. To confirm, discretely check with the recipient directly or a mutual contact. If blocked, accept their decision with grace, reflect on what went wrong, and focus on positivity. With time and patience, there is still a possibility for reconciliation down the road.