iMessage makes chatting with other Apple users easy, but sometimes, you might suspect someone has blocked you. If your messages aren’t going through or your calls are being ignored, you may wonder whether it’s a technical issue or if the person has intentionally blocked your number.
While Apple doesn’t notify users when they’re blocked, several ways exist to tell if someone has cut off communication with you on iMessage. This guide explains the key signs of being blocked, how to confirm it, and what you can do next.
What Happens When Someone Blocks You on iMessage?
When someone blocks you on iMessage, Apple’s system silently prevents your messages and calls from reaching them. Unlike a regular messaging error, your texts don’t bounce back with a failure notice—they don’t get delivered.
Here’s what happens when a contact blocks you:
- Your messages stop showing “Delivered” or “Read” receipts.
- Your calls go straight to voicemail.
- Your FaceTime calls fail immediately.
Blocking on iMessage applies to all Apple communication methods, meaning you can’t reach them through iMessage, FaceTime, or standard calls. However, there are ways to check whether you are genuinely blocked or if it’s another issue.
Signs That Indicate Someone Blocked You on iMessage
If you suspect someone has blocked you, here are the strongest indicators:
1. Your Messages Don’t Show “Delivered” or “Read”
One of the most noticeable signs is that your iMessages stop showing a “Delivered” status. Usually, when you send a message, you’ll see:
- “Delivered” below the message if it successfully reached their device.
- “Read” if they have read receipts enabled and have seen your message.
When blocked, your messages appear as sent but never say “Delivered” or “Read.” This means their device is actively rejecting your messages.
2. Your Messages Turn Green Instead of Blue
If you previously sent blue iMessages and suddenly your texts are green, it may be a sign of blocking.
- Blue bubbles indicate messages are being sent and received between Apple users.
- Green bubbles mean your messages are sent as SMS texts instead of iMessage.
Because your iMessage can’t be delivered, Apple defaults to regular text messages. However, this can also occur if the person has turned off iMessage or switched to a non-Apple device, so it’s not always guaranteed that you’ve been blocked.
3. Your Calls Go Straight to Voicemail
If you call the person and your call goes directly to voicemail without ringing, it may indicate that they’ve blocked you.
- When someone blocks you, your calls are sent straight to voicemail every time.
- You can leave a voicemail, but they won’t receive a notification.
- If their phone is off, your call will also go to voicemail, which is usually temporary.
You’ll likely be blocked if this happens multiple times over several days.
4. Your FaceTime Calls Fail Instantly
If you try FaceTime the person and the call fails immediately, they may have blocked you.
- Usually, FaceTime calls ring until the person picks up or declines the call.
- When blocked, FaceTime fails immediately with no ring.
This suggests that their device is rejecting your FaceTime attempts.
5. No Status Updates on Shared Locations (If Previously Shared)
If you previously shared locations through iMessage, and now their location suddenly disappears, it could be a sign of blocking.
- In Find My Friends or iMessage, blocked users can no longer see the other person’s location.
- However, location sharing can also be disabled manually, so this isn’t a 100% confirmation.
How to Confirm If Someone Blocked You on iMessage
If you want definitive proof that you’ve been blocked, try these steps:
- Send a Message from a Different Apple Device or Number – If you have another Apple ID, try messaging them. If your message goes through and says “Delivered,” then your original number is likely blocked.
- Call from a Hidden or Alternate Number – Dial *67 before their number to hide your caller ID. If the call rings instead of going to voicemail, they may have blocked your original number.
- Check Their Contact in FaceTime or Shared Location Settings – If you no longer see them as an option in FaceTime or Find My Friends, they may have blocked you.
If all these attempts fail repeatedly, there’s a high chance you’re blocked.
Is It a Block or Another Issue? How to Tell the Difference
Before jumping to conclusions, consider other possible reasons why your messages aren’t going through:
- Do Not Disturb Mode (DND) – The person may have activated Focus Mode, which is delaying message delivery. In this case, messages still say “Delivered” but won’t be read immediately.
- iPhone Turned Off or No Signal – If their phone is dead, in airplane mode, or has no internet, messages won’t be delivered until they reconnect.
- iMessage is Disabled – If the person switches to Android or turns off iMessage, your texts will turn green but still go through as SMS.
To confirm blocking, try again after a few days to see if the issue persists.
What to Do If Someone Blocks You on iMessage
If someone has blocked you on iMessage, it’s essential to respect their decision and avoid persistent attempts to contact them. Continuously trying to send messages or calls may come across as intrusive and could further strain the situation. Blocking is often intentional; in many cases, it’s best to step back and allow space.
If you have a legitimate reason to reach out, consider using an alternative communication method. Email, social media, or even a mutual friend may provide a way to pass along important information. However, if they have also restricted contact on other platforms, it may indicate they do not wish to communicate.
Sometimes, blocking is temporary or due to a misunderstanding. People may block contact impulsively or during moments of frustration. Giving it time can be beneficial if you believe this is the case. After a while, they may reverse the block on their own.
If you still need clarity, reaching out through a mutual connection can be a discreet way to determine whether the block was intentional or if there was another reason behind it. Regardless of the circumstances, the best approach is to handle the situation with patience and respect.
Does Blocking on iMessage Also Block Calls and FaceTime?
Yes, when someone blocks you on iMessage, it also prevents phone calls and FaceTime.
- Texts won’t be delivered via iMessage, and SMS texts will turn green.
- Calls go straight to voicemail without ringing.
- FaceTime fails instantly without connecting.
This applies to all Apple devices linked to their iCloud account.
Final Thoughts
If you suspect someone has blocked you on iMessage, check for undelivered messages, green text bubbles, failed FaceTime calls, and direct-to-voicemail responses. While Apple doesn’t notify users about blocking, these signs strongly indicate whether your messages are ignored or rejected.
If this guide helped you, share it with others or comment below with your experience using iMessage!
