Blocking a contact stops them from calling, messaging, or seeing your status
When you block someone on WhatsApp, they can no longer send you messages, call you, or see when you were last active. They also cannot see your profile photo, status updates, or "last seen" timestamp. The person you block will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they may figure it out if their messages stop going through and they cannot see your status anymore.
Blocking is different from muting a conversation. When you mute someone, their messages still arrive and they can still reach you — you just will not see notifications. Blocking cuts off contact entirely on WhatsApp, though the person can still reach you by phone call, text message, or other apps if they have your number.
The steps to block someone are the same whether you use WhatsApp on iPhone, Android, or the desktop app, though the exact menu locations differ slightly.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on WhatsApp prevents them from messaging or calling you through the app, but they will not be notified that you blocked them.
- You can block a contact from their individual chat, from your contacts list, or from a group conversation without leaving the group.
- A blocked person can still call you by phone or reach you through other apps — blocking only affects WhatsApp.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to Settings, finding the blocked contact, and selecting unblock.
How to block someone from their chat on Android
Open WhatsApp and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap and hold their name at the top of the chat until a menu appears. Select "Block contact" from the options. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure — tap "Block" again to confirm.
If you want to block them and delete the entire conversation at the same time, the confirmation screen will offer a checkbox for "Also delete chat". This removes the conversation from your chat list, though you can still see the person's name in your contacts if they are saved there.
How to block someone from their chat on iPhone
Open WhatsApp and swipe left on the conversation with the person you want to block. A red "More" button will appear. Tap it and select "Block". A confirmation screen will ask if you want to block this contact — tap "Block Contact" to confirm.
Like Android, iPhone also offers the option to delete the chat at the same time. If you want to keep the conversation but just block them, leave that checkbox unchecked.
How to block someone from your contacts list
You can also block someone without opening a chat with them. On Android, open WhatsApp, tap the three-dot menu at the top right, and select "Settings". Go to "Account" and then "Privacy". Tap "Blocked contacts" and then the plus icon to add a contact. Select the person you want to block from your phone's contact list.
On iPhone, go to Settings at the bottom right, tap "Privacy", then "Blocked Contacts". Tap "Add" and choose the contact from your list. This method is useful if someone has been messaging you and you want to block them before opening their chat.
How to block someone in a group chat
You can block someone who is in a group with you without leaving the group yourself. Open the group chat, tap the group name at the top, and scroll down to see all members. Find the person you want to block, tap their name, and select "Block". You will stay in the group and can still see messages, but that person's messages will be hidden from you and they cannot message you privately.
Blocking someone in a group does not remove them from the group or notify them. Other group members will still see their messages normally.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time. On Android, go to Settings, tap "Account", then "Privacy", then "Blocked contacts". Find the person's name and tap "Unblock". On iPhone, go to Settings, tap "Privacy", then "Blocked Contacts", find their name, and swipe left. Tap "Unblock".
Once you unblock someone, they can message and call you again, and they will be able to see your status and last seen time. They will not know you unblocked them unless you message them first.
What happens when you block someone
A blocked person cannot send you messages, make calls, or see your profile updates on WhatsApp. If they try to message you, the message will appear to send on their end, but it will never reach you. Their calls will not come through. They cannot see your profile photo, status, or when you were last active.
However, blocking only affects WhatsApp. The person can still call you on your phone number, text you through SMS, email you, or contact you through other apps. If you want to cut off contact completely, you may also need to block their number in your phone's settings or block them on other platforms they use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
WhatsApp does not send a notification when you block someone. However, they may realize it if their messages stop delivering and they cannot see your status or last seen time anymore. There is no way to block someone secretly on WhatsApp — they will eventually notice if they try to contact you.
Can I block someone and still see their messages?
No. Once you block someone, their messages do not reach you at all. If you want to see their messages but not be bothered by notifications, mute the conversation instead. You can mute someone by opening their chat, tapping their name at the top, and selecting "Mute notifications".
What if I block someone by accident?
You can unblock them when ready by going to your blocked contacts list and selecting unblock next to their name. They will not know you blocked them if you unblock them right away, since they will not have tried to message you yet.
Can I block someone in a group without leaving the group?
Yes. You can block a group member without leaving the group. Open the group, tap the group name, find the member, and select block. You will stay in the group and see all messages, but their messages will be hidden from you and they cannot message you privately.