What Happens When You Block a Number on an Android Phone and How to Handle it

Overview of Blocking on Android Phones

Introduction

When you block someone on an Android phone, the process can vary depending on the version of Android and the messaging app being used. It is important to understand what happens from both the sender's and receiver's perspectives. This guide aims to clarify the impacts of blocking a number on an Android device and provides insights into how to handle or resolve such situations.

Blocking Behavior and Delivery

Behavior When Blocking a Number

When you block a number on an Android device, the behavior of the blocked number trying to contact you can vary. Here are the common scenarios:

No Notification to Sender: The person who attempts to send a message to a blocked number will not receive any notification that their message was not delivered. It will appear as if the message was sent successfully. Non-Delivery of Message: On some Android phones and messaging apps, the text message may not be delivered to the recipient's inbox at all. Instead, it might be silently discarded by the service or the network. Variation in Behavior: Different Android devices and messaging apps can handle blocked messages differently. Some may deliver the message but silently discard it on the recipient's device, while others may prevent the message from being sent altogether.

In any scenario, the blocked person will not receive any indication that their message was blocked or that it failed to reach the intended recipient. This privacy feature is designed to prevent unwanted communication from reaching the user who has chosen to block a number.

Blocking Specific Features

Blocked Calls

When you block a number, regular phone calls from that number will be automatically declined. Some networks may send the blocked calls to voicemail, but the blocked person will not receive any voicemail notifications. As a result, you won't receive calls from the blocked number, and the blocked person will not be notified that they have been blocked.

Blocked Messages

When you block a number on an Android device, that number cannot send you regular text messages (SMS) or multimedia messages (MMS). Although the message is sent from the sender's side, you will not receive it. Messages have a one-way impact: you can still message the blocked person, but you will not receive a response from them.

Other Apps

Blocking a number through the phone app, contact settings, or other apps (like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.) will only affect regular calls and messages on Android. The blocked number can still contact you through other apps. You need to block the person separately on these apps to ensure they can't contact you through any means.

Notification and Inform Blocked Person

It is important to note that the blocked person will not be notified or sent a message indicating that they have been blocked. They may continue to send messages or call, but you won't receive them, and they won't know they are blocked unless you inform them.

Actionable Steps:

Notify the blocked person if necessary. Block the number on all relevant apps and platforms. Set proper privacy settings to prevent unwanted communication.

Further Reading:

What Happens When You Block a Number on Android and iPhone - TechWiser How to know if someone blocked your number on iPhone and iMessage What to Do When Message Blocking Is Active - Quick Fix