- How to see blocked contacts on Android
- How to see blocked contacts on iPhone
- How to unblock someone from the list
- The rule people miss when they unblock
- What blocking does on WhatsApp
- Can someone tell they're on your block list?
- How to block someone from the same screen
- Why the list might look empty
- Blocked someone in a group?
- Tidy your block list
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To see blocked contacts on WhatsApp, go to Settings (or tap your profile), then Privacy, then Blocked contacts. The list shows everyone you've blocked, and you can unblock someone from there. Blocking doesn't delete them from your phone's contacts, and messages they sent while blocked never arrive, even after you unblock.
Your WhatsApp block list is easy to find once you know it lives under Privacy, not under Contacts. It's worth checking now and then, because people block numbers in a hurry and forget, then wonder why a friend says their messages never arrive. Here's where the list is on each device, what blocking does, and the one thing unblocking can't undo.
How to see blocked contacts on Android
- Open WhatsApp.
- Tap the three dots, then Settings.
- Tap Privacy.
- Scroll down and tap Blocked contacts.
How to see blocked contacts on iPhone
- Open WhatsApp and tap Settings (or your profile).
- Tap Privacy.
- Tap Blocked or Blocked contacts.
On WhatsApp Web or the desktop app, the same list is under Settings, then Privacy, then Blocked contacts. WhatsApp's help describes it simply: blocked users are visible in Blocked contacts, under Settings or your profile, then Privacy.
How to unblock someone from the list
- Open Blocked contacts as above.
- Tap the person's name or number.
- Tap Unblock.
The rule people miss when they unblock
Unblocking isn't a rewind. WhatsApp says that when you unblock someone, you won't receive any messages, calls or status updates they sent you while they were blocked. Those are gone for good, and there's no setting or backup that brings them back. So if you blocked someone by accident and they've been trying to reach you, ask them to send anything important again once you've unblocked them.
What blocking does on WhatsApp
| After you block someone | What happens |
|---|---|
| Messages and calls | They can no longer call you or send you messages |
| Your phone's contacts | They stay in your contacts list |
| Their phone | You stay in their contacts too |
| Groups you share | You can still see each other's messages in the group |
| Messages sent while blocked | Never delivered, even after you unblock |
The contacts point surprises people. WhatsApp says blocking a contact won't remove them from your contacts list or remove you from theirs. If you want someone gone from your phone entirely, delete them from your phone's address book as well as blocking them. Deleting the contact on its own doesn't block them, so do both if you want them gone and silenced.
Can someone tell they're on your block list?
Not with certainty, and that's deliberate. WhatsApp's help lists signs someone might notice, such as no longer seeing your last seen or online status, not seeing profile photo updates, messages that only ever show one check mark, and calls that don't go through. But WhatsApp says these signs are intentionally ambiguous to protect the privacy of the person who blocked. Any of them can also come from privacy settings or a phone being off.
How to block someone from the same screen
The Blocked contacts screen isn't just a list. On most versions of WhatsApp you can add someone to it directly, which is handy for a number that keeps messaging you but isn't in an open chat:
- Open Settings, then Privacy, then Blocked contacts.
- Tap the add option at the top or bottom of the list.
- Pick the contact you want to block.
For an unknown number, it's usually quicker to open the chat it came from and block it there, where WhatsApp also gives you the option to report it. Reporting is worth doing for obvious scams, because it helps WhatsApp spot the same number messaging other people.
Why the list might look empty
- You haven't blocked anyone on this account. The list belongs to the number, not the phone.
- You're looking on a different account. If you use WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business on one phone, each has its own block list.
- The blocked number isn't saved in your contacts. It still appears, but as a number rather than a name, so scan for digits as well as names.
Blocked someone in a group?
Blocking works between two people, not inside groups. If you both stay in the same group, you'll still see each other's group messages. To get away from someone in a group, you'd need to leave it, mute it, or ask an admin to remove them.
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Tidy your block list
- Look for numbers you don't recognise. They're probably old spam blocks, and it's fine to leave them in place.
- Check for friends or family blocked by mistake, perhaps after a mis-tap in a chat.
- If you share a phone with a child, check the list together so they know how blocking works.
If messages to someone still aren't going through and they're not on your list, it may be a connection problem rather than a block: see WhatsApp lagging or hanging. And if you've just moved to a tablet, using WhatsApp on iPad explains how your settings carry across linked devices. A quick look at your block list once every few months takes seconds and can save a friendship.
My verdict
Your block list is in Settings, Privacy, Blocked contacts. Check it occasionally for accidental blocks, and remember two things: blocking doesn't remove anyone from your phone's contacts, and unblocking never brings back messages sent while they were blocked.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find blocked contacts on WhatsApp?
Go to Settings or your profile, then Privacy, then Blocked contacts.
Does blocking on WhatsApp delete the contact?
No. WhatsApp says blocking doesn't remove them from your contacts list. Delete them from your phone's address book to remove them.
Will I get messages sent while someone was blocked?
No. WhatsApp says you won't receive messages, calls or status updates sent while they were blocked, even after you unblock.
Can blocked contacts see my messages in groups?
Yes. Blocking doesn't affect messages in groups you both belong to.
Does WhatsApp tell someone they're blocked?
No. WhatsApp keeps the signs intentionally ambiguous to protect your privacy.
