We've all been there. Someone keeps calling or texting, and you just want them to stop. So you hit block. But then you start wondering—do they know? What do they see? Does it actually work?
There's a lot of confusion about what blocking actually does. Let's clear it up with the real facts, no myths.
What They See (And What They Don't)
Here's the thing: when you block someone, they don't get a notification. Your phone doesn't send them a message saying "Hey, you've been blocked!" They just... stop getting through.
When They Call You
It depends on your carrier and phone, but usually one of these things happens:
- The call goes straight to voicemail (but you won't get the voicemail)
- They hear a few rings, then it goes to voicemail
- It goes straight to a busy signal or "call cannot be completed" message
The key point: they don't know for sure they're blocked. It could just look like you're busy, your phone is off, or you're ignoring them.
When They Text You
On iPhone, messages just don't go through. They might see "Delivered" but you'll never see it. On Android, it depends, but usually the message just fails to send or shows as sent but never delivered.
Again, they don't get a clear "you're blocked" message. It just looks like the message didn't go through for some reason.
Important: If they're persistent, they might figure it out. If they call from a different number and it goes through, or if they see you online but you're not responding, they might put two and two together. But there's no official "you're blocked" notification.
What You See
On your end, it's pretty straightforward:
You Don't Get Their Calls
Their calls won't ring your phone. They'll be silently blocked. Some phones show blocked calls in a separate list, but you won't be interrupted by them.
You Don't Get Their Messages
Their texts won't show up in your messages. On iPhone, they go into a separate "Blocked Messages" folder that you can check if you want, but you won't get notifications.
You Can Still See Their Contact Info
Blocking doesn't delete their contact. You can still see their number in your contacts, and you can unblock them anytime if you change your mind.
What Actually Works
Blocking is pretty effective for most situations:
Stops Regular Calls and Texts
If someone is calling or texting from their regular number, blocking will stop it. You won't hear from them through that number anymore.
Works Across Most Apps
If you block someone in your phone's settings, it usually blocks them across your phone's native calling and messaging apps. Some third-party apps (like WhatsApp) have their own blocking systems.
Easy to Reverse
If you change your mind, you can unblock them easily. Just go to your blocked contacts list and remove them.
What Doesn't Work
Blocking isn't perfect. Here's what it won't stop:
Different Numbers
If someone calls or texts from a different number, blocking won't help. They can use a friend's phone, a burner phone, or a different app account, and you'll still hear from them.
Third-Party Apps
Blocking someone in your phone settings doesn't block them on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, or other apps. You need to block them in each app separately.
Voicemail
Some carriers still let blocked numbers leave voicemails. You might not get a notification, but the voicemail could still be there if you check.
Emergency Services
Blocking doesn't stop 911 or other emergency numbers from getting through. That's by design, for safety reasons.
Important: If someone is harassing you, stalking you, or making threats, blocking alone might not be enough. Consider reporting them to your carrier, the police, or both. Blocking is a tool, not a complete solution for serious situations.
How to Block Someone (If You Need To)
If you need to block someone, here's how:
On iPhone
- Go to Settings → Phone → Blocked Contacts
- Or go to the contact, scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller"
- You can also block directly from a call or message by tapping the info icon and selecting "Block this Caller"
On Android
- Open the Phone app → Recent calls
- Tap the number you want to block
- Tap "Block" or "Block number"
- Or go to Settings → Blocked numbers and add numbers manually
In Apps
Most apps have their own blocking features. Look in the app's settings, or tap on the person's profile and look for a "Block" option. Remember, blocking in one app doesn't block them in others.
The Bottom Line
Blocking someone stops them from contacting you through that specific number, but it's not a magic solution. They won't get a notification, but they might figure it out. And if they're determined, they can find ways around it.
For most situations—annoying exes, spam callers, people you just don't want to talk to—blocking works fine. But if you're dealing with something more serious, don't rely on blocking alone. Get help from your carrier, the authorities, or both.
The good news? It's easy to do, easy to undo, and it gives you some peace of mind. Sometimes that's all you need.