You can't truly block someone on WhatsApp and still get their messages, as blocking stops messages/calls, but you can achieve a similar effect by muting and archiving their chats, which hides them and silences notifications while keeping the chat accessible in the archive folder, or by using Silence Unknown Callers for unknown numbers to get calls silenced but still see messages from them, or leaving groups to avoid group messages from someone.
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. Your last seen, online, status updates, and any changes made to your profile photo won't be visible to contacts you've blocked.
📱 For those who might be wondering, soft blocking occurs when someone blocks another user and then immediately unblocks them. This action effectively means the blocker is no longer following the other person, and vice versa, essentially severing the online connection.
Note: Blocked contacts or phone numbers or will no longer be able to call you or send you messages.
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.
If the person you're calling has blocked anonymous calls, *67 won't work either. While *67 hides your number from the person you're calling, phone companies can still trace the call.
Open the conversation with the person you want to restrict. Tap their name at the top of the chat. Select Restrict or Mute Notifications.
Generally, you won't see texts from a blocked number because they're silenced, but on Android, they often go to a "Spam & Blocked" folder in your Messages app; on iPhone, texts are usually lost, but you might find missed calls in a "Blocked Messages" or "Blocked Calls" section of your voicemail, as blocked calls often go to a separate voicemail box.
When a number is blocked, any incoming messages from that number are not delivered to your device, meaning they do not appear in your messages app at all. Once you unblock the number, you will only receive new messages sent after unblocking.
Any messages sent to a contact who has blocked you will only show one gray check mark to show the message was sent. They won't show a second check mark. Any calls you attempt to place will not go through. You can't add them to a group if you're a group admin.
We won't tell them that you restricted them. They won't be able to see when you're online or if you've read their messages. You also won't see when they're online. We'll let you know if you're about to enter a group chat with someone you restricted.
Change privacy settings
To change who can see your last seen and online, profile photo, about information, links you share on your profile, statuses or add you to groups. > Settings > Privacy. Tap the privacy setting you'd like to change. Select Everyone, My contacts, My contacts except…, or Nobody.
The short answer is no. You can't see any messages that were sent to you after you hit the block button. WhatsApp doesn't keep those messages saved, and they never reach your phone. So, if someone messages you while blocked, you won't see it at any point, even if you unblock the person later.
Ultimately, the choice between Instagram Restrict and Block depends on your desired level of interaction and visibility. If you prefer a more subtle approach that maintains some semblance of engagement, Restrict is your go-to.
Muting, hiding or restricting can provide good alternatives to blocking because abusers do not know that they've been muted, hidden, or restricted. Ultimately, only you can decide what feels right for you.
*67 blocks your phone number from the phone you are calling (it hides caller ID) but I have never seen it used to bypass a number block. He's most likely using a different phone (like google voice or his work line).
Blocking and Text Messaging
When a number is blocked, the blocked person can technically still send a text message to your phone number. However, the message will not be delivered to your SMS inbox. Instead, it will appear as though the message was sent, but you won't receive it.
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.
How to block texts on Android with Messages
No, you *cannot use 67 for text messages; it only works for hiding your caller ID on phone calls by displaying "Private" or "Unknown," but it won't hide your number for texts. To send anonymous texts, you need to use built-in phone settings to hide your number (if available with your carrier) or use third-party apps like Google Voice or Hushed for a separate number.