Texting someone and getting silence in return is one thing. But realizing you might’ve been blocked? That hits differently. It’s that moment where you stare at your phone, wondering if your message even made it through. No alert. No “Delivered.” Just a quiet screen and a bit of uncertainty. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Do they still get my messages if they blocked me?” – you’re not alone. Let’s get into what really happens behind the scenes when you send a text to someone who’s blocked you.
What Happens When You Text Someone Who Blocked You?
If someone has blocked your number, your message won’t reach them. It doesn’t matter if you’re using iMessage, regular SMS, or even WhatsApp. The message might look like it was sent from your end, but it won’t land on their device.
Here’s what that actually looks like depending on how you’re texting:
iMessage (iPhone to iPhone)
When both users have iPhones and iMessage is on, messages usually show up as blue bubbles. If you’ve been blocked, that bubble turns green instead. That’s your phone falling back to regular SMS. You also won’t see the usual “Delivered” or “Read” labels under your message, which is another clue something’s off.
SMS (Standard Text Message)
With basic text messages, everything might look normal on your end. The message is sent. No errors pop up. But behind the scenes, it’s not going anywhere. The other person won’t get it, and you won’t get any hint that it missed the mark.
WhatsApp and Other Messaging Apps
Apps like WhatsApp usually give more visual feedback. If your message shows one gray checkmark, it means it was sent but hasn’t been delivered. That can happen for different reasons, but if it stays stuck like that for a while, there’s a real chance you’ve been blocked. Most apps won’t say it outright, but they drop hints if you’re paying attention.
So, to put it plainly: no, they won’t get your text. It doesn’t bounce. It doesn’t go to a secret folder. It just quietly stops short of reaching them.
Why It Feels Confusing
The worst part? Nothing really changes on your side. You don’t get a notification saying, “You’ve been blocked.” The message doesn’t fail outright. It sits there, looking like any other message you’ve sent. That’s what makes it so unclear.
Here’s why that happens. Most phones and carriers don’t alert senders when they’ve been blocked. It’s a privacy feature.
Messaging apps don’t always tell you either. Some hide delivery info altogether. Technical issues like no internet or low signal can look a lot like being blocked.
So even if it feels like a message is just “lost,” there’s no simple way to confirm blocking without looking at the bigger picture.
Signs You Might Be Blocked

Even though your phone won’t scream “BLOCKED,” there are a few signs that make it more obvious. None of them are foolproof on their own, but when a few stack up, they start to paint a clearer picture.
Common signs to look for:
- Calls go straight to voicemail after one ring.
- iMessage bubbles turn green (instead of blue).
- Your messages never show “Delivered”.
- WhatsApp shows only one checkmark (not two).
- You can’t see their online status or profile photo anymore.
- They’ve disappeared from your contacts or suggested contacts (on Android).
- Calls from a different number or with 67 go through.
If a few of these match your situation, the odds of being blocked go up. Again, it’s not 100% confirmation, but it’s close. Consider, on some versions of iOS, messages may still show as “Delivered” and may not change color when you’re blocked, so the green bubble may not be a reliable indicator by itself.
How Blocking Looks on Different Devices and Apps
Not all phones and messaging apps handle blocking the same way. Depending on what you’re using, and what the other person is using, the clues can look a little different. Some platforms keep things subtle, while others give you more obvious signs if your messages aren’t getting through.
Let’s walk through what to expect on iPhones, Android devices, and popular messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger.
iPhone vs Android: The Technical Differences
Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android phone can affect what you see when texting someone who has blocked you. Here’s how it works on both:
iPhone
- iMessages sent to another iPhone will typically show a blue bubble.
- If you’re blocked, your messages will turn green, because the phone defaults to SMS.
- You won’t see the “Delivered” or “Read” tags anymore.
- Calls go to voicemail after a single ring.
- You may still be able to leave a voicemail, but the person won’t get notified about it.
Android
- Android SMS doesn’t show as much status detail as iMessage.
- If you’ve been blocked, the message just won’t be delivered.
- No status will show at all, and it’ll look like a normal sent message (it may depend on the version and device).
- Some Android users can test blocking by deleting the contact and seeing if it shows up as a suggestion later. If not, that might mean you’re blocked.
Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Signal, and Others

Texting isn’t just SMS anymore. Most people use apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger to talk. Here’s what to expect on those platforms if you’ve been blocked:
- One gray checkmark = message sent but not delivered.
- Two gray checkmarks = message delivered.
- Two blue checkmarks = message read.
- If you’re blocked, your messages will always show just one gray check (however, this alone isn’t a definitive sign of a block).
- You also won’t be able to see their last seen, online status, or profile picture.
Telegram
- You won’t see a “last seen” timestamp anymore.
- Your messages might still say “sent” but not “delivered.” Usually, they simply won’t be delivered, and the app may not show separate delivery status.
- You might appear to be talking to someone who never replies or shows any activity.
Facebook Messenger
- If someone blocks you on Facebook Messenger, your messages will not be delivered or read. You will no longer see read receipts or delivery indicators.
- The person’s profile may become limited or inaccessible to you, and in some cases you may not be able to open their profile at all.
Messenger may show ‘This person is unavailable on Messenger’ when you open the chat if blocked on Facebook, though it does not always confirm blocking explicitly.
What If You Blocked Them?
This flips the situation. If you blocked someone, you can still send them messages. But they won’t be able to reply until you unblock them.
Some people get confused here. Blocking someone on your phone just stops their ability to contact you. It doesn’t prevent you from texting or calling them. But keep in mind that you won’t get any replies.
If they reply, their messages will be automatically blocked. You’ll only receive their responses after unblocking them.
If the block was set up through your mobile carrier, that’s different. Some carriers make the block go both ways, which may prevent you from sending messages to them too.
What Not to Do When You Suspect You’re Blocked
It’s tempting to try every workaround just to know for sure. But some of those moves can backfire and cross boundaries. Here’s what you should avoid:
- Don’t spam them across platforms: It’s not a good look, and it could be considered harassment.
- Don’t keep calling or texting repeatedly: If you’ve been blocked, this won’t change anything.
- Don’t use fake accounts or burner numbers: That might give you an answer, but it also erodes trust.
- Don’t confront them aggressively: If someone blocked you, it’s their decision. Even if it stings, it’s better to respect that boundary.
Instead, Try This
If it’s bothering you and the relationship is worth it, you can:
- Wait it out: Sometimes people block temporarily and come back around later.
- Reach out in person, if appropriate: A face-to-face talk can clear things up.
- Move on and focus elsewhere: If the block is permanent, your energy is better spent on people who want to talk.
Quick Recap
Here’s a stripped-down version of what you need to know:
- Blocked = they won’t receive your texts.
- You won’t get any alerts or errors.
- Your message may look like it was sent, but it won’t be delivered.
- iPhone and Android handle blocking a bit differently, but the end result is the same.
- Messaging apps like WhatsApp show more visible signs of being blocked.
- If you blocked someone, you can still text them, but their replies won’t reach you.
- Respect boundaries if someone clearly doesn’t want contact.
Final Thoughts
Getting blocked feels personal, but sometimes it’s just about space. Whether it’s a friend, ex, or random contact, you might not always know why. What matters more is how you respond to it. Don’t chase answers from someone who’s chosen not to engage. You’ve got other conversations to be part of.
If someone blocked you, no, they won’t get your texts. And that’s the answer. It might not be the one you wanted, but it’s clear.
FAQ
If someone blocks me, does my text still show as “sent”?
Yes, it usually does. Your phone won’t alert you that you’ve been blocked, so the message may look like it went through. But just because it says “sent” doesn’t mean it actually landed on their phone.
What’s the difference between being blocked and someone just turning off their phone?
When a phone’s off or in airplane mode, your message might not deliver right away, but it’ll go through once they’re back online. If you’re blocked, it never delivers. It’s like sending a letter to a locked mailbox that no one checks.
Can I still text someone if I blocked them?
You can, technically. Blocking someone only stops them from contacting you. You can still send messages or call them, but don’t expect any replies unless you unblock them.
Is there a way to know for sure if I’ve been blocked?
Not officially. Phones don’t tell you when it happens. But if your calls go to voicemail after one ring, your texts stop showing “delivered,” and you can’t reach them on other apps, it’s a strong sign.
What happens if I use a different number to call them?
If your calls go through on another number but not your own, that’s a clear sign you’ve been blocked. Just be careful not to cross the line or make it weird by trying too hard to get around it.
Will they ever see the texts I sent while I was blocked if they unblock me later?
Nope. Messages you send while blocked don’t get stored somewhere and delivered later. Once blocked, that text is pretty much gone for good on their end.

