Blocking someone on WhatsApp is an effective way to stop receiving unwanted messages, but many users wonder if the blocked person will be notified about it. Fortunately, WhatsApp does not send a notification when you block someone, meaning the other person won’t know that they’ve been blocked. However, there are some changes that will occur on their phone that may hint at the block, but the process itself remains discreet.
In this guide, we will show you the steps to block someone on WhatsApp, whether it’s from an ongoing chat or from a contact you haven’t yet communicated with.
What Happens When You Block Someone on WhatsApp?
Before diving into the steps, let’s take a quick look at what changes occur when you block someone:
- Messages and Calls: When you block someone, they can no longer send you messages or make calls via WhatsApp. Any messages they send will not be delivered to you, and they won’t be notified that their messages are being blocked.
- Profile Information: The blocked person will no longer be able to see your Last Seen, Online Status, or Profile Picture. They will only see your name and status message (if set).
- Group Chats: If the blocked person is in a group chat with you, they can still see your messages in the group, but they cannot send you private messages anymore.
Now that we know the basics, let’s go over the steps to block someone on WhatsApp.
How to Block Someone on WhatsApp from an Ongoing Chat
If you already have a conversation with the person you want to block, blocking them is simple.
Step 1: Launch WhatsApp on Your Phone
Open the WhatsApp app on your smartphone. This can be done by tapping on the WhatsApp icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.
Step 2: Tap and Hold the Chat You Want to Block
Find the chat with the person you want to block. Tap and hold on the chat until additional options appear on your screen.
Step 3: Click Three Dots in the Top-Right Corner and Select Block
Once you’ve selected the chat, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of your screen to open the options menu. From the menu, select Block.
Step 4: Click Block Again to Confirm
A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure you want to block the contact. Tap Block again to confirm.
Once this is done, the contact will be blocked, and you will no longer receive their messages or calls.
How to Block Someone on WhatsApp Who You Haven’t Messaged Yet
If the person you want to block is not yet in your chat list or has not sent you any messages yet, you can still block them by adding them directly to your blocked contacts list.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp
Launch the WhatsApp app on your device.
Step 2: Tap Three Dots in the Top-Right Corner and Select Settings
In the WhatsApp app, tap the three vertical dots in the top-right corner of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select Settings.
Step 3: Select Privacy
Inside Settings, tap Privacy. This will take you to the privacy settings for your account.
Step 4: Click Blocked Contacts and Tap the Add Button
Under the Privacy section, you will see an option labeled Blocked contacts. Tap on this option. On the next screen, tap the Add button in the top-right corner of your screen.
Step 5: Tap on a Contact to Block Them
You’ll now see a list of contacts. Scroll through and tap on the contact you want to block. Once you tap on the contact, they will be added to your blocked list, and you will stop receiving messages from them.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- Unblocking a Contact: If you change your mind, you can unblock a contact by following similar steps to those listed above and selecting Unblock instead of Block.
- WhatsApp Groups: Blocking someone doesn’t remove them from any group chats you both are part of. They will still be able to see your messages in the group but won’t be able to contact you privately.
- Muting Notifications: If you don’t want to block someone but wish to stop receiving their notifications, you can mute their notifications instead. This allows you to continue receiving their messages without being notified about them.
- Profile Visibility: If you’re concerned about your privacy, it’s a good idea to adjust your Last Seen, Profile Picture, and Status settings in Privacy settings so that only your contacts or selected individuals can see them.
