How Can You Tell if Someone Blocked Your Number?

When someone blocks your number, you can’t communicate with them through calls and text messages. You won’t be notified that you’ve been blocked, but you notice a few changes afterward: your calls typically divert straight to voicemail after just one ring, or sometimes they won’t ring at all. For text messages, you no longer see “Delivered” confirmations. Moreover, the person who blocked you won’t receive any notifications or messages.

It’s tricky to tell if someone has blocked your number, as phones don’t notify you of being blocked. However, paying attention to the responses of your calls and messages helps you identify whether you’ve been blocked or if there are other technical issues.

Try calling the same number from a different phone - ideally one with a different number. If the call goes through as normal from the other phone, receiving multiple rings and possibly getting answered, it’s likely that the recipient has blocked your original number.

On Apple devices, iMessages appear in blue bubbles, while SMS texts show up in green bubbles. iMessage travels over the internet, and SMS messages go through your carrier. If your messages turn from blue to green without a delivery confirmation, it could indicate that the recipient has blocked you.
 

If you suspect you’ve been blocked and both you and the other person use Apple devices, send an iMessage. Normally, under the message, you’ll see “Delivered” if it reaches them. If they have read receipts turned on, it changes to “Read.”
 

However, if you see no “Delivered” or “Read” status beneath a blue bubble, it means the recipient has blocked your number.

If every time you call, it seems like the call is ended almost as soon as it begins, or you hear a brief ring before getting cut off, it could be another hint that you’ve been blocked. It often happens because the blocking software or feature ends the call immediately after identifying your number.

One of the clearest signs you can look for is what happens when you make a phone call. If your call goes directly to voicemail after one ring or sometimes even no ring at all, it’s a possible sign that the person has blocked your number. Regularly, calls ring multiple times before going to voicemail.

If you suspect that someone has blocked your number, you must respect the privacy of the person and not contact them further. However, there are legitimate reasons you might need to call them, such as emergencies or important mutual concerns.

One way to bypass a block is to hide your caller ID. It makes your number appear as “Unknown” or “Private” on the recipient’s phone. You can dial *67 before the phone number to hide your phone number.

For example, if you’re calling 555-1234, you’d dial *67-555-1234. It lets you call without revealing your number, which might let your call go through if you’ve been blocked.
 

Masking your number is another option to contact the person who has blocked your number. It changes how your number appears to the recipient, and makes it look like you’re calling from a different number.
 

However, always ensure that your reasons for calling the person who has blocked you are justified and respectful. It helps you avoid overstepping personal boundaries. Calilio‘s call masking features can help you manage your calls more professionally and maintain your privacy.

Calls that go directly to voicemail and text messages that don’t show a “Delivered” status, are common signs that someone has blocked your number.

To know someone blocked your number without calling, look for signs in your messaging:
 

• Your iMessages never show a “Delivered” status beneath them.
• SMS messages don’t provide a "Delivered" notification or any response.
• Sudden lack of response to messages can also be a hint.

It’s possible to be blocked on calls but not on texts, if the person has used specific blocking rules or apps that separate the blocking of calls and texts. Some phone systems allow users to block only calls while allowing texts to come through.

If you text someone who has blocked you, you won’t see a “Delivered” status on your messages, and the recipient will not receive your texts. On iPhones, your iMessage might appear blue but will never show a delivery confirmation.

You can dial *67 before your number to call someone who has blocked your number. It hides your Caller ID and shows your number as “Unknown” or “Private.”