When things go south with someone, they may block you on their phone to cut off communication. If an iPhone user blocks you on iMessage, you can't reach the person via message, call, or FaceTime. Also, the system doesn't notify you when someone blocks on iMessage. You must look for signs and clues to confirm your blocked status on iMessage.

You can check the chat bubble color. You can also look for read receipts and friendship or relationship status on other social media platforms. You'll find other tricks on your iPhone or Android phone to learn your blocked status. There are some exceptions, though. It's not an exact science, but it's a great start. These top steps help you learn everything you can.

8 ways to tell if your phone number has been blocked on iMessage

iMessage is a privacy-focused application, so there isn't a notification when someone blocks you. But some signs could help you know for sure. Let's look at the most apparent indicators.

Check the chat bubble color

iMessage chat window with a green text bubble
Source: Apple

Typically, you should see a blue bubble when you send an iMessage to another iPhone user via the Messages app for iOS and Mac. The delivery status appears underneath the blue bubble when you activate Read Receipts in the iMessage settings menu.

If you see a green bubble, that could indicate someone blocked you, especially if your chats with this person used to be blue. This is only true if both of you use iMessage on iPhones. If the other person switched to an Android phone, their bubble may have turned green. There's also a chance they failed to turn off iMessage and FaceTime if they switched from iOS to Android, or maybe they changed their phone number.

If you were blocked, those green bubbles mean your message was not received. This method works best in combination with the next step.

Check the Read Receipts

iMessage chat window with a delivered Read Receipt
Source: Apple

If you're an iPhone user and receive a message from another iPhone user, you'll see a "delivered" notification beneath each message. This is the easiest way to know if someone blocked you, but it isn't the most accurate. If either party is in an area with poor reception or they turned off iMessage, the delivery notification may be delayed or not appear.

While read receipts are relatively new to RCS Messages, they have been an iMessage feature for years. When you use Apple's Messages app, a Delivered receipt appears underneath each sent message. Read tells you that the recipient opened it.

You don't see the read receipts if you were blocked when sending a text message (SMS) to an Android user. That makes this a great way to tell if those green bubbles mean someone blocked you or switched to Android because messages can still be marked as read on Android.

Users can turn off read receipts in the Messages app, meaning you won't receive notifications about your message status. This could mean your contact gets messages but wants to stop providing status updates.

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Look for the moon icon and automated messages in iMessage

iMessage chat window with notifications silenced notification
Source: Apple

Focus and Do Not Disturb modes (DnD) on iOS allow you to turn off notifications for apps and contacts temporarily. If you block a number on the Messages app on your iPhone, it syncs with your Mac, iPad, and Apple Watch via your Apple ID and iCloud.

If you send someone a text message or iMessage and they don't respond, they may have turned off delivery notifications. iOS 17, 16, and 15 automatically notify iMessage senders that the mode is turned on when you send a message while Focus mode is active. You'll see a notification that says "[Contact] has notifications silenced" with a small moon symbol next to it.

You can break through Focus mode and deliver the message if you're part of the receiver's friends and family list. Your texts may be blocked if you don't see any indication that notifications are silenced. If the message isn't urgent, try again later.

Some temporary modes don't offer this feature. Although iMessages can be delivered using a Wi-Fi or internet connection, some networks block messages. Airplane mode may also be the culprit, as your iMessages aren't delivered unless the recipient uses in-flight Wi-Fi.

Check your social apps

A collage of Facebook Messenger screens with the Messenger logo in the center

All our steps emphasize the need for confirmation. Still, there's no better confirmation than checking how a contact treats you on social media. If you think someone blocked you on their iPhone, chances are good you are also connected with them on other social media.

Check their social accounts to learn more. If they're serious about blocking you, they probably cut off contact there. Every social platform has different ways of revealing this information. You'll find your friendship status on the top four social media or instant messaging platforms.

Instagram

When someone blocks you on Instagram, you can't find their profile or posts. You can't even send direct messages on the platform. You can also go a step ahead and search their URL (instagram.com/username) on the Instagram web and receive a "Sorry, this page isn't available" message.

Another neat way to confirm your blocked status on Instagram is via one of the old comments. You can't view the person's profile when you tap their comment.

Facebook Messenger

You can launch Messenger and try sending a message to your friend. The app tells you that you can't reply to a person and confirm your blocked status.

Snapchat

If you have been friends with the person on Snapchat, find their profile on the platform. Their profile doesn't appear in search results if you are blocked. Your previous conversation with the person also vanishes from the Chat tab. Snapchat removes the person from your friends list as well. These three signs confirm your blocked status on Snapchat.

WhatsApp

You can launch WhatsApp and head to the person's conversation. If you have been blocked on WhatsApp, you won't see their profile picture, last seen, or online status. You can send a few random messages and may notice only a single checkmark indicating your blocked status on the messaging platform.

You can also create a random group and add your contact to it. WhatsApp shows an error that "Couldn't add person."

If you are blocked on these platforms, there is a strong possibility that your number is blocked on iMessage.

Call the number you're texting

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First things first. Don't be creepy. If someone blocks your messages, you probably want to give them space. If you've confirmed that the message was delivered with the above procedures and are still unsure, call them. Typically, you can't call someone who blocked you on iMessage. If you try, you'll hear a single ring before the call goes to the voicemail box. Sometimes, you don't hear a ring, or the voice operator tells you they're unavailable when you call.

If the line rings normally, and you urgently need to speak to the person, it's worth trying to call more than once. With iOS 15, Apple activated a feature that allows incoming calls to ring through even if DnD or Focus mode is active.

FaceTime the person

This is another handy trick to know if someone blocked you on iMessage. You can FaceTime the contact and may receive a message saying, "Cannot reach this person right now."

Turn off your caller ID

Show My Caller ID is a nuclear option that could allow your calls to get through depending on how you're being blocked. For example, if someone blocks your messages and refuses your calls, they may answer a number they don't recognize if it isn't associated with your contact ID. But that's deceptive and could make things worse instead of better. Not all carriers offer this option. Here's how to deactivate it:

  1. Launch Settings on your iPhone and scroll to the Phone section.
  2. Tap Show My Caller ID and turn off the toggle.

Attempt to call from a different number

If you're worried about the recipient's well-being or ability to receive messages, call them from a friend's phone or use a burner number. When they pick up, tell them you've been trying to get hold of them for an emergency or hash out any misunderstandings. Again, this is a last resort and could make things worse instead of better. Avoid any perception that you're stalking someone, but reaching out with the help of a mutual friend can be effective.

If calling from a different number doesn't work, there are several reasons that have nothing to do with you. Perhaps they're busy or in a poor coverage area.

Knowing when to walk away

Walking away may not be what you want to do, but giving people space to process their feelings is best. If your relationship with the receiver is hard to let go of or you need closure, send a polite message on social media apps as a last resort. You can also reach them via mutual friends to sort out the differences.

If you've tried this approach without success, consider moving on. Use this time to seek an outside perspective from friends and family. It could help you focus on discovering and breaking bad habits you didn't know existed. More importantly, it stops you from turning into a cyberstalker.