WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to easily connect with friends and family. However, you may find yourself in a situation where you want to block someone from contacting you on WhatsApp. Luckily, WhatsApp provides options to block users and restrict them from calling you.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about restricting calls on WhatsApp:
- You can block a user’s phone number which will prevent them from calling and messaging you on WhatsApp.
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked to manage your blocked contacts.
- You can also block a contact directly from your calls or chat screen by tapping More > Block Contact.
- Blocking is the only native way to restrict calls in WhatsApp.
- Alternatives like Do Not Disturb mode will silence calls but not block them.
- If you block someone, they will no longer be able to see your profile photo, status, or when you were last online.
Blocking Contacts on Android
Here are the steps to block a contact on Android:
- Open WhatsApp and go to your Calls or Chats tab.
- Tap and hold the name of the contact you want to block.
- Tap More options > Block contact.
- You will get a confirmation prompt, tap Block.
This will immediately block the contact from calling or messaging you within WhatsApp.
Blocking Contacts on iPhone
To block a contact on iPhone:
- Open WhatsApp and select the Chats tab.
- Swipe left on the conversation with the contact you want to block.
- Tap More > Block Contact.
- Confirm the block by tapping Block Contact again.
This will prevent the user from contacting you again on WhatsApp.
Managing Your Blocked Contacts
To view, unblock or add new blocked contacts:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings.
- Tap Account > Privacy > Blocked.
- Here you can see your list of blocked contacts.
- Tap the X icon next to a contact to unblock them.
- Tap Add New to block another contact by entering their phone number.
Blocking Unknown Contacts
You can also block phone numbers not in your address book by:
- Going to WhatsApp Settings > Calls.
- Enable Blocked Calls.
- This will automatically block any calls or messages from numbers not saved in your contacts.
Silencing Notifications Without Blocking
If you don’t want to completely block a contact but want to mute notifications you can enable Do Not Disturb mode:
- Go to WhatsApp Settings > Notifications.
- Tap Do Not Disturb and select Always.
- This will mute all notifications but still allow calls and messages.
You can also long press a specific conversation and tap Mute to silence that chat.
Conclusions
Blocking contacts is the most effective method to restrict someone from calling or messaging you on WhatsApp. Make sure to periodically review your blocked contacts list and unblock if needed. Do Not Disturb mode can mute notifications but doesn’t prevent contacts from calling.
Blocking provides a simple way to gain more control over your WhatsApp experience and limit disruptions from unwanted interactions. Pay attention to any harassment and don’t hesitate to block contacts making you uncomfortable.
WhatsApp may continue expanding options to prevent unwanted contact in the future. However, the current blocking features are robust enough for most users’ needs. Don’t forget to also utilize security options like two-step verification to enhance the security of your WhatsApp account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block someone temporarily on WhatsApp?
There is no official temporary block feature on WhatsApp. You can only fully block contacts which remains in effect until you manually unblock them. However, you could try using Do Not Disturb mode to mute notifications for a short period.
Will a blocked contact know I’ve blocked them on WhatsApp?
No, WhatsApp does not directly notify users if you’ve blocked them. However, they may infer they are blocked if messages remain undelivered or your last seen status disappears.
Can I block a contact without them knowing?
There is no 100% foolproof way, but blocking a contact and then deleting the chat history can help eliminate evidence that you may have blocked them.
What happens if I block someone on WhatsApp?
Blocking prevents a contact from calling, messaging, or viewing your profile info or online status. All communication will be cut off in both directions.
Can I get blocked by WhatsApp for blocking too many contacts?
There is no known limit to how many users you can block. WhatsApp does not restrict or penalize users for blocking other contacts on the platform.
How Blocking Compares to WhatsApp Mute
Blocking and muting both allow you to restrict notifications and disruptions from certain contacts. Here is a comparison:
| Block | Mute | |
|---|---|---|
| Stops calls | Yes | No |
| Stops messages | Yes | No |
| Hides online status | Yes | No |
| Hides profile photo | Yes | No |
| Hides status updates | Yes | No |
| Temporarily silence | No | Yes |
In summary, blocking is more effective for completely restricting contact, while muting is preferable for a temporary effect.
WhatsApp Call Blocking Apps
There are various third party apps that offer advanced call and message blocking functionality beyond WhatsApp’s native tools:
- Truecaller – Identifies and blocks spam calls and messages.
- Whoscall – Crowdsources spam numbers and auto-blocks them.
- Calls Blacklist – Blocks calls and texts from saved numbers.
- Mr. Number – Reverse phone lookup and call/text blocker.
However, these apps require access to your contacts and phone data to function. Make sure you understand their privacy policies before usage.
Methods Beyond Blocking
In some cases, you may need to take steps beyond blocking a persistent caller on WhatsApp:
- Report serious harassment, threats, or illegal activity to WhatsApp or appropriate authorities.
- Change phone numbers and only share with trusted contacts.
- Use WhatsApp’s two-step verification for added security.
- Request WhatsApp to ban their device if they continue trying to contact you.
- Avoid sharing your phone number publicly if you are concerned about unknown contact.
Blocking is usually sufficient, but additional measures like these can help in extreme circumstances.
Warnings About Blocking
While blocking can be an effective tool, keep these risks and disadvantages in mind:
- Blocking contacts without their knowledge could be considered unethical by some.
- Excessive blocking can isolate you from valuable connections.
- Blocking doesn’t prevent someone from contacting you outside of WhatsApp.
- On very rare occasions, critical safety information could be missed.
- Blocking too many contacts could limit social and professional opportunities.
Use good judgement when deciding who to block and don’t over rely on blocking for every annoyance. Make sure you aren’t blocking contacts that need to reach you for legitimate reasons.
Key Takeaways
- Use WhatsApp’s blocking feature to prevent unwanted calls and messages.
- Manage your blocked contacts under WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Blocked.
- Muting conversations disables notifications but doesn’t block contact.
- In extreme cases, change numbers, enable two-factor authentication, and report abuse.
- Block judiciously and don’t isolate yourself from important contacts.