Communication has become much faster and easier than ever before. However, sometimes people deliberately stop communicating with you by blocking your phone number. This can be very frustrating, especially if you are not sure if they blocked you on purpose, if they are just too busy, or have a new phone number. This article will help you identify the signs that someone has blocked your number, regardless of whether you have an iPhone or Android phone. We will also provide you with tips on what to do next if you find out that your number has been blocked.
Signs that someone has blocked your cell phone number
There are two main ways that a number can be blocked on a device: (1) call blocking and (2) message blocking, meaning not only are your regular phone calls and/or video calls blocked, but also your texts, SMS and iMessages. Unfortunately, there’s no way to be 100% certain, but there are a few indicators depending on whether you’re an Android or iPhone user.
Universal signs if someone has blocked you:
- Calls are going to voicemail: While unblocked numbers can go to voicemail, blocked numbers tend to do it in a specific way.
- Text messages aren’t delivering: Determining this will vary depending on whether you’re using iPhone or Android. If you’re using WhatsApp, a single grey checkmark (sent) indicates you’re probably blocked, while double blue checkmarks confirm a message has been delivered.
How to know if someone blocked you on iPhone
What happens if your number is blocked on iPhone? There are two distinctive things to watch out for:
- Check the color of your messages. iPhone to iPhone should be blue messaging. If it is green that could be a sign your messages have been blocked:
- iMessages are sent over the internet and appear in blue bubbles when sent between iOS users, while SMS messages are sent through your carrier and appear green. SMS messages that aren’t delivered usually say “Message Not Delivered” underneath the green bubble.
- A sudden switch from blue to green could simply mean a user has their phone in airplane mode or switched to an Android device. However, when combined with other signs, it could be an indicator you’ve been blocked.
- Check the delivery status. Underneath each message you send, there should be a small bar of grey text that says “Delivered” if your message went through, or “Read” if the recipient has read receipts turned on. If your messages are still appearing in the blue bubble, but you’re not getting a response, checking the delivery status is a good way to tell if you’ve been blocked.
How to block someone on iPhone
You can block a person via several built-in apps. Here are a few options:
Phone app
- Tap Recents.
- Tap the Info button next to the phone number or contact you want to block.
- Scroll down, then tap Block Caller.
FaceTime app
- Tap the Info button next to the phone number, contact, or email address that you want to block.
- Scroll down, then tap Block Caller.
Messages app
- Open the conversation
- Tap the contact at the top of the conversation.
- Tap the Info button
- Scroll down, then tap Block Caller.
Mail app
- Open the email that has the contact that you want to block
- Tap the contact at the top.
- Tap Block this Contact.
How to tell if someone blocked your number on Android
What happens when someone blocks you on Android? Since not all Android devices let you see if your message has been delivered, you’ll have two main options:
1. Use the “suggested contact” feature. First, delete the person’s contact information on your phone. (NOTE: Before deleting, write down all relevant contact information first so you can add it back in later if needed). Then, do a search for their name in your contacts. If the name still comes up as a suggested contact, you are probably not blocked. If you’re an Android user, various people you've interacted with through Google’s services are automatically saved. The idea is to suggest potential contacts you may be interested in adding.
2. Read between the lines. If you attempt to send a text message and, in response, get a message that reads “Free MSG: Unable to send message, message blocking active,” that is a sign that the recipient is not receiving messages and that you may be blocked. But don’t fret just yet. It’s also possible that a poor internet connection or prepaid account balances, among other issues, are to blame.
What happens when you call someone who blocked you?
If you’re not sure whether the texts are getting through, simply calling the number is a good way to see if you’ve been blocked, regardless of whether you’re an iPhone or Android user.
Two other ways to check if someone blocked you:
- Call to see if you go directly to voicemail or if it rings. If you’re not blocked, the phone should ring anywhere from three to twelve times before going to voicemail. A blocked number may ring only once and then go to voicemail. (NOTE: It’s also possible that the person is on another call, has their phone turned off, has a low battery, or has it set to airplane mode.)
- Mask your number (by dialing *67 first) or you call from someone else’s phone. If it rings multiple times before going to voicemail—or the person actually answers—then you were likely blocked.
[NOTE: iPhone users can also turn off the “Show My Caller ID” option in the “Phone” section of your settings app, which will mask your number. However, iOS 13 software updates allow users to silence unknown callers, so if you’ve masked your number, these users will not be notified of your call, and it will not ring on their end.]
How to block someone on Android
You can block a person via several built-in apps. Here are a few options:
Phone app
- Tap Recents.
- Tap the circle next to the phone number or contact you want to block.
- Scroll down, then tap Block Number.
Contacts app
- Locate and click on the contact.
- Scroll down, then tap Block Number.
Google Messages app (if applicable)
- Open the conversation
- Tap the contact at the top of the conversation.
- Tap the Info button.
- Scroll down, then tap Block.
Being blocked by someone can be a frustrating experience, especially if you're not sure whether it's intentional or not. By following the tips and techniques we've discussed in this article, you can easily find out if someone has blocked your number on an iPhone or Android device.