Being blocked on WhatsApp can be frustrating, especially if you rely on WhatsApp calls to communicate with someone. When you are blocked, you are unable to contact the person via calls or messages. However, there are some key things that happen when you are blocked that are good to understand.
You Cannot Call or Message Someone Who Has Blocked You
The most obvious effect of being blocked on WhatsApp is that you can no longer call or message the person who blocked you. If you try to make an audio or video call to someone who has blocked you, it will not go through and you will not get any indication that you have been blocked. The call will simply not connect as if the phone was switched off or out of coverage.
Similarly, if you try to send a text message to someone who has blocked you on WhatsApp, it will show as sent on your end but will never be delivered to the recipient. You will not get any failure notification to indicate the message did not go through.
From your perspective as the blocked user, it will seem like your calls and messages are going through normally, but they are simply not being received by the person who blocked you.
Your Last Seen/Online Status is Hidden
In your own WhatsApp privacy settings, you have the option to show your “last seen” status to everyone, your contacts only, or nobody. When someone blocks you, they automatically get added to your “nobody” list for last seen and online status privacy. This means the person who blocked you can no longer see your last seen or when you are online in WhatsApp.
So if you notice that your last seen/online status is no longer visible to someone you previously had contact with, that likely means you have been blocked by that person.
Your Profile Photo Disappears
In addition to last seen and online status, your profile photo also gets hidden from someone when they block you on WhatsApp. Where they previously could see your profile photo in personal and group chats, it will disappear and be replaced by a generic grey silhouette icon.
If you notice your profile photo has mysteriously disappeared for a certain contact, it’s a strong sign they have blocked you and can no longer see your profile picture.
You are Removed from Common Groups
When someone blocks you on WhatsApp, you are automatically removed from any common groups where you were both members. You simply disappear from the group participants list from the perspective of the person who blocked you.
Similarly, if the person who blocked you is the admin of a group you are in, they have the option to remove you from that group. So if you suddenly find yourself kicked out of a WhatsApp group for no reason, it may be because the admin blocked you.
You Can’t See the Person’s Status Updates
The WhatsApp status feature allows users to share photo and video updates that disappear after 24 hours. When you are blocked by someone, you will no longer be able to view that person’s status updates.
So if you notice one of your contacts has not had any status updates for a while, it could be because they blocked you and you can no longer see their statuses.
You Stop Receiving Calls and Messages Altogether
Perhaps the clearest sign you have been blocked on WhatsApp is if communication from a certain person seems to have stopped completely out of the blue. If you were frequently in contact with someone and suddenly do not get any more calls or messages from them, chances are high they blocked you.
This could apply to an individual contact or a whole group of people if you were blocked by multiple members of a group. Total lack of communication on WhatsApp where you previously had regular contact is a strong indicator your number has been blocked.
Their Number Disappears from Your Contacts
In some cases, when you are blocked by someone on WhatsApp, their phone number may disappear from your contacts list within the app. Where you previously saw their name and could message them, the contact vanishes as if you never had their number in the first place.
This does not necessarily happen every time you are blocked, but it can occur in some instances which sends a clear signal the contact has cut you off by blocking your number.
You See a “Blocked” Notification When Messaging
The only way to definitively know if you have been blocked on WhatsApp is if you receive an on-screen “blocked” notification when trying to send a message. This typically only appears if you were blocked after having an existing chat history with that person.
So if you try to send a message to a contact and get a pop-up saying the message could not be sent because you were blocked, that is confirmation your number has been blocked and you will no longer be able to communicate with that person on WhatsApp.
Why Would Someone Block You on WhatsApp?
There are a few main reasons why someone might make the choice to block your number on WhatsApp:
- Harassment or bullying: If you are repeatedly sending unwanted messages or calls, especially of a harassing nature, this can prompt someone to block you.
- Relationship issues: Blocking on WhatsApp is common after a breakup or when communication has broken down between partners or family members.
- Disagreements: Political, religious or social disagreements and arguments can also lead to one or both sides deciding to cut contact by blocking.
- Spam messages: Persistent spam messaging may cause someone to block your number to prevent further unwanted contact from you.
- Privacy: Some people proactively block contacts they no longer interact with regularly to protect their privacy and limit access to their status updates.
What Should You Do If You’re Blocked on WhatsApp?
Being blocked on WhatsApp can be upsetting, especially if it comes out of the blue from a close contact. Here are some tips on what to do next if you discover you’ve been blocked:
- Reflect on why it may have happened – did you send inappropriate messages or otherwise behave in a way that provoked being blocked?
- Respect their privacy and boundaries and do not pursue contact on other platforms.
- Ask a mutual connection to discuss the issue and see if the block can be resolved.
- If you feel it was an error or misunderstanding, politely email or call the person to address it.
- Accept it and move on if you have made amends but remain blocked – forcing contact will only make the situation worse.
Can a Block Be Undone on WhatsApp?
A block on WhatsApp can only be undone by the person who initiated the block in the first place. As the blocked user, there is nothing you can directly do within WhatsApp to become unblocked.
However, if you believe the block was a mistake or misunderstanding, you can communicate through other means and politely ask the person to reconsider their decision and unblock you. But respect their choice if they decline to reverse the block.
Does Blocking Delete Chat History?
When you block someone on WhatsApp, it does not by default delete or erase your chat history with that person. All previous messages will remain in your chat logs, you just won’t be able to send or receive any new ones.
However, you do have the option to delete the chat history with a contact before blocking them. This will permanently erase all messages, media, and calls from your WhatsApp logs for that blocked user.
Can You Tell if You’re Blocked on WhatsApp Business?
WhatsApp Business accounts have access to some different blocking and privacy settings compared to regular WhatsApp. But overall, the effects of being blocked are much the same.
On WhatsApp Business, you may not directly see a “blocked” notification when messaging a contact. But you will similarly be unable to contact them, see their status updates or last seen status, or have your messages delivered to them.
One key difference is that your Business profile information may still be visible to a contact who has blocked you on WhatsApp Business. But all direct communication will be severed by the block.
Is There a Way to Bypass a Block on WhatsApp?
There is no built-in way to get around or bypass a block on WhatsApp if someone does not wish to communicate with you. Even if you get a new phone number, you would have to create a whole new WhatsApp account, as blocks are tied to your account rather than a specific number.
Using another messaging platform to contact someone who blocked you on WhatsApp is also not recommended, as it violates their privacy and boundaries. Accepting the block and moving on is the wisest and most ethical response in most cases.
Can You See Messages After Blocking Someone?
When you are the one who initiated a block on WhatsApp, you can still see and access your existing chat history with that blocked contact. Blocking does not erase or delete previous messages you exchanged.
However, any new messages sent by the blocked person will not show up in your chat screen. From your perspective, it will seem like they have stopped messaging you, even though they may be attempting to send messages that are not getting delivered.
Is There a Block Limit on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp does not impose any limit on how many people you can block. You are free to block as many individual contacts as you like to limit communications from unwanted numbers.
The only limiting factor is that when you block someone who is a mutual contact, it will automatically remove you from any groups where you are both members. If you are in many common groups, blocking could wind up removing you from a number of group chats.
But direct one-to-one communication can be blocked without limit based on your preferences and needs.
Can a Group Admin Block You from Posting?
Unlike blocking you completely, WhatsApp has a separate option where group admins can selectively “disable” you from posting messages in a group chat. You remain a member and can view messages, but cannot actively participate.
This allows admins to moderate conversations and prevent disruptive members from posting against the rules. But it stops short of removing you from the group entirely.
If you are fully blocked by the admin, however, you will be kicked out of any groups they control. A standard block overrides the posting disable feature.
Does WhatsApp Notify When You Block Someone?
WhatsApp has no built-in feature that directly notifies a user when they have been blocked by a contact. The only way to know definitively is if you receive a “blocked” message when trying to send a chat.
Indirect signs like disappearing last seen status and lack of delivered messages are the main ways to deduce that you have probably been blocked. But the app does not proactively send a notice to alert you of a block.
Can You Tell Who Blocked You on WhatsApp?
Unless you receive an explicit “blocked” message from the person who blocked you, there is no definitive way within WhatsApp itself to tell exactly who has blocked your number.
By paying attention to contacts who you suddenly cannot see status updates for, disappeared from groups, or cannot message, you can make reasonable guesses at who may have blocked you. But the app does not identify the blocker explicitly.
Should You Block Someone on WhatsApp?
Blocking on WhatsApp is a useful tool to protect your privacy, limit harassment, and remove disruptive contacts from your digital life. However, in some cases blocking can be seen as an extreme reaction.
Here are some things to consider before deciding to block someone on WhatsApp:
- Have they engaged in abusive, threatening or harassing behavior?
- Have you directly asked them not to contact you further?
- Are they frequently messaging at inappropriate times or in unacceptable ways?
- Is there a chance of resolving the conflict by discussing it politely?
- Does blocking this person align with your personal boundaries and principles?
Blocking should not be an impulsive reaction but a thoughtful choice when less invasive options have been exhausted. Do what seems right for your specific situation.
What’s the Best Alternative to Blocking on WhatsApp?
In many cases, there are less extreme options beyond fully blocking someone on WhatsApp:
- Mute notifications from the contact to avoid distracting messages.
- Politely ask them to only message you at certain times or about certain topics.
- Remove them from certain groups to limit interactions.
- Turn off read receipts and last seen status to increase privacy.
- Temporarily archive chats to reduce engagement.
Setting boundaries directly with a contact is better than outright blocking in some situations. Pick the approach that feels right for each unique case.
Conclusion
Being blocked on WhatsApp can be confusing and frustrating, but understanding the causes and effects helps you learn to navigate it. Respect the choices of those who block you, reflect on if your behavior contributed, and move forward seeking positive connections with others.
With the right mindset, a block can be an opportunity for growth and refocusing your communication priorities. Set limits with compassion and integrity as you strive to build meaningful relationships.