It's a question many of us have pondered, especially when dealing with unwanted calls or messages: can someone you've blocked still send you a text? The short answer is, technically, yes, but you won't see it. It's a bit like sending a letter into a void – they can send it, but it never reaches your mailbox.
When you block a number on your phone, you're essentially telling your device not to show you any incoming communication from that specific contact. So, while they might see a 'delivered' status on their end, that message will never pop up in your main SMS inbox. It's a pretty effective way to create a digital barrier.
For those of us with iPhones, if you and the blocked contact both use iMessage, things get a little more nuanced. Their message bubble will turn green instead of the usual blue, and you won't see any delivery confirmation. This can be a subtle, or not-so-subtle, hint to them that they've been blocked.
What about calls? When you block someone, their calls generally won't ring your phone. They might hear a busy signal, or it could go straight to voicemail, depending on your phone and carrier. You won't be disturbed, which is the main point, right? However, they might still be able to leave a voicemail. If you want to completely cut off even those, you'd need to reach out to your mobile provider for a more robust block.
It's also worth noting that blocking a number on your phone doesn't automatically delete their contact from your device, and they won't get an alert that you've blocked them. It's a one-way street for privacy.
Now, here's where things get interesting: what about apps? If you both have apps like WhatsApp, Viber, Zoom, or Skype installed, and you're connected via Wi-Fi, they can still reach you through those platforms. These apps have their own blocking features, so if you really want to ensure no contact, you'll need to block them within each app individually.
And for iPhone users, blocking a number can also extend to blocking their email if their address is linked to their contact profile. FaceTime calls? Those won't get through either; their calls will ring on their end, but your phone will remain silent and notification-free.
If you ever decide to unblock someone, they can resume contacting you as before. Just like with blocking, they won't receive any notification that you've unblocked them. And importantly, any messages or calls that came through while they were blocked won't suddenly appear once they're unblocked. It's a clean slate going forward.
How to Block on Android
Blocking numbers on an Android device is usually quite straightforward. If you're using a recent model with One UI, you have a few options:
- Via the Phone App (Call Log): Go to your 'Recents' tab, tap the number or contact you want to block, and look for an 'info' icon. You should find a 'Block' option there, possibly tucked away in a 'More' menu.
- Via the Messages App: Open the conversation with the person you want to block. Long-press the chat, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select 'Block'.
- Within the Contacts App: Find the contact, open their profile, tap the three dots in the bottom right, and choose 'Block contact'.
How to Block on iPhone
Blocking on an iPhone is similarly simple:
- Via the Phone App (Call Log): In your 'Recents' list, tap the 'i' (info) icon next to the number or name. Scroll down, and you'll see the option to 'Block this caller'.
- Via Settings: You can also manage blocked numbers directly in your iPhone's Settings app.
