If a message says "Delivered," it generally means your message reached their device, so you're likely not blocked, but they might be ignoring you, using Do Not Disturb, or have their phone off; however, if it never says "Delivered," that's a stronger sign of being blocked or having no service. A "Delivered" status usually indicates a successful send, but a lack of response isn't proof of blocking, as people can still choose not to reply or have temporary issues.
On iPhones running iOS 16.5 or later, the space below your last text will say Delivered whether you're blocked or not on iMessages. If your phone is running iOS 16.4 or earlier and you see Delivered beneath your last text, you're not blocked.
You can tell if someone blocked your number if your calls go straight to voicemail (after one ring), texts show as undelivered (like on WhatsApp), or you're blocked on social media; however, the surest way is to call from another phone: if your calls don't go through from your number but do from another, you're likely blocked, though consistent patterns over time are key to differentiate from normal DND/airplane mode.
You can suspect someone blocked you on an iPhone if calls go straight to voicemail (maybe after one ring) and iMessages don't show "Delivered" or "Read" receipts, but these signs can also mean their phone is off; the most reliable test is trying to call them using a different number or *67 to hide your caller ID, and if it rings normally on their end but goes to voicemail from your real number, you're likely blocked.
Understanding what “sent” and “delivered” messages are can help you manage your communications better. While “sent” shows that your SMS has left your device, “delivered” means it has reached the recipient. But even a “delivered” message doesn't guarantee that the person has read it until the status shows as read.
Nah, if their iPhone was actually off when you sent the text, it wouldn't say “Delivered.” iMessage only shows “Delivered” when the message successfully reaches their device. That means their phone was on long enough to receive it, or at least connected to some network.
You can use read receipts to automatically let someone know when you've seen their text messages. When read receipts are turned on, the sender sees the word “Read” below messages they've sent to you, indicating that you've read their message. If you haven't read their message, the sender sees “Delivered.”
To know if someone blocked you, watch for calls going straight to voicemail after one ring, texts showing "Not Delivered" (or no read receipts/checkmarks on apps like WhatsApp), and potential changes on social media; the most definitive test is calling from another number, where it rings normally for you but goes to voicemail on your original number, indicating a block.
What Happens If You're Blocked on iPhone
Muting helps you ignore someone without preventing them from doing anything. Blocking someone prevents them from messaging you, commenting on your observations, identifying your observations, and otherwise interacting with you on iNaturalist.
When you block someone, messages, calls, and status updates sent by the contact won't show up on your phone and won't be delivered to you.
When you block a phone number or contact, they can still leave a voicemail, but you won't get a notification. Messages that are sent or received won't be delivered. Also, the contact won't get a notification that the call or message was blocked. When you block an email address from Mail, it goes to the trash folder.
Will I receive old texts sent while they were blocked? Blocked messages will not come through when unblocked. While someone is blocked, any sent text messages will be blocked by Messages. You won't be able to retrieve them.
If it still says “Delivered,” a few things might be going on: You may not be blocked, and they're just ignoring or not seeing your messages. They might have turned off call notifications or set up Focus modes (like Do Not Disturb), which would send calls straight to voicemail but not affect message delivery.
If you're not blocked, the phone should ring anywhere from three to twelve times before going to voicemail. A blocked number may ring only once and then go to voicemail. (NOTE: It's also possible that the person is on another call, has their phone turned off, has a low battery, or has it set to airplane mode.)
You can suspect someone blocked you on an iPhone if calls go straight to voicemail (maybe after one ring) and iMessages don't show "Delivered" or "Read" receipts, but these signs can also mean their phone is off; the most reliable test is trying to call them using a different number or *67 to hide your caller ID, and if it rings normally on their end but goes to voicemail from your real number, you're likely blocked.
Delivered: Your message was delivered to your recipient's phone or linked devices, but the recipient hasn't seen it.
Signs you may have been blocked
Here are a few signs that someone may have blocked your number: You don't get a delivery confirmation. If you have an iPhone and text another iPhone but don't see a “Delivered” notification, someone may have blocked you. (Android phones don't automatically show these messages.)
Use Anonymous Texting Services
As you can tell by the name. And the best thing about these anonymous texting services is that they work even if you are blocked. You can simply visit it, enter the receiver's number, and send any text of your choice completely for free.
Check the chat bubble color
This is only true if both of you use iMessage on iPhones. This isn't a foolproof method. You may see a green bubble in the following situations: If the other person switched to an Android phone, their bubble may have turned green.
The person you blocked will not realize you blocked them when they try to call you. On their end, they'll hear the phone ring a few times. Then, their call will go straight to voicemail.