Blue text in messaging usually means a secure, internet-based message (iMessage on Apple, RCS on Android) sent between compatible devices, offering features like read receipts, typing indicators, and encryption, unlike standard green SMS/MMS messages sent via carrier networks. For Apple users, blue is iMessage (iPhone to iPhone/iPad/Mac); for Android users (with Google Messages), blue often signifies modern RCS chatting with other Androids.
The myth that blue messages are inherently safer than green messages is a dangerous assumption that can be exploited by scammers. Both blue and green messages can be used for SMS scams in the US, and the universal red flags of a fake message are a more reliable indicator of a scam than the color of the message bubble.
Check the color of your messages.
If it is green that could be a sign your messages have been blocked: iMessages are sent over the internet and appear in blue bubbles when sent between iOS users, while SMS messages are sent through your carrier and appear green.
You can tell if someone read your text through read receipts in apps like iMessage, Google Messages (RCS), or WhatsApp, which show "Read" with a timestamp when the recipient opens it, if both you and the other person have the feature enabled in your settings. For regular SMS, you'll only see "Delivered," but some apps offer delivery confirmations or you can infer from a quick reply.
Calls go to voicemail
One of the quickest ways to tell if you've been blocked is to call the person you're trying to reach. If the call rings once and then goes to voicemail, this may mean you're blocked.
For instance, a single gray checkmark means your message was sent successfully but is yet to be delivered. If it turns to two checkmarks, your text message has been delivered to the recipient. Or, your message has been read if the checkmark turns blue.
If you see a green message bubble instead of a blue one, then that message was sent using RCS or MMS/SMS instead of iMessage. There are several possible reasons for this: The person that you sent the message to doesn't have an Apple device. iMessage is turned off on your device or on your recipient's device.
Your text messages don't deliver
If your text messages aren't going through, it could mean the intended recipient has blocked your number. Most devices and messaging platforms indicate undelivered messages with a “Not Delivered” status message or a symbol, like a red exclamation point.
Sometimes, a breakup text is an acceptable way to end a relationship. It can even be a great idea. There's a threat to your physical safety. According to psychology professor Morgan Cope, breaking up over text is acceptable if doing so in person would put you in harm's way.
Examples of risky texts include:
Yes, it is possible, but they must first gain unauthorized access to your device or accounts. Hackers can achieve this through several methods, including installing spyware apps on your phone, gaining access to your iCloud or Google accounts to sync messages, or using a SIM swapping attack to redirect your messages to ...
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.)
If you've been blocked, your messages won't show a “Delivered” status or a read receipt, and you may notice the iMessage “blue-to-green” change. If your messages switch from blue (iMessage) to green (SMS), it signals that Apple's servers are no longer delivering your messages to that person's device.
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 text someone who blocked you, the message usually sends from your end but is never received by them, with no error message or notification on your phone, though you won't see a "Delivered" status (if your phone usually shows it); it's like sending a message into a void, and you'll never know for sure unless they unblock you or tell you.
Check the Bubble Color
Another way to know if someone blocked you on iMessage is to check the bubble color. If you see green bubbles, this means that your text messages are being sent through SMS, and they might have blocked you on iMessage.
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.
iMessages appear in blue text bubbles on your device. When you use iMessage, your conversations are encrypted end-to-end, so they can't be read while they're sent between devices. To turn iMessage on or off, go to Settings > Apps > Messages. If Wi-Fi is unavailable, iMessages will be sent over cellular data.
But once you understand what those colors mean, you can make smarter choices about how you text, what features you use, and how to fix problems when they pop up. Here's a quick recap: Blue = iMessage (Apple-only, uses internet, more features) Green = SMS (works with any phone, uses your text plan)
Since Android and other carriers operate within the SMS and MMS standards of text communication, these green texts are more versatile in who they can reach with their texts. Blue messages, or iMessage messages, are compatible within the Apple ecosystem. Apple backs up all of these messages.
You can tell if someone read your text through read receipts in apps like iMessage, Google Messages (RCS), or WhatsApp, which show "Read" with a timestamp when the recipient opens it, if both you and the other person have the feature enabled in your settings. For regular SMS, you'll only see "Delivered," but some apps offer delivery confirmations or you can infer from a quick reply.
The double check mark, or two gray check marks, means your message has been delivered to the recipient's device but has not yet been read. If they turn blue, your message has been opened or read.