How to Block and Unblock WhatsApp Contacts

Today’s technology tips discusses how to block WhatsApp contact  and Unblock them. Blocking on WhatsApp doesn’t mean removing that number from your contact list and it won’t remove you from the blocked person’s contacts.

This blocking is to prevent someone from contacting you privately through the WhatsApp service. But if you and a blocked contact are in a group, you can still communicate with him via chat in that group.

You can block people you know and don’t know from contacting you. However, you cannot block unknown users before they message you.

If you have to block a contact on the WhatsApp application, here’s how:

1. Block WhatsApp contacts

Android device

For Android devices, all you have to do is tap Settings, then select Account, then Privacy, from select the contacts you want to block. After that tap on the Add New button and find the contact you want to block from the contact list, then tap on the contact and tap Block from the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen.

Alternatively, you can open a chat with a contact and tap on the contact’s name to block it. Select Block or Report and Block.

IOS device

For iOS devices, from the home screen, tap Settings, then select Account, then tap Privacy. After that, scroll to the bottom of the screen, you will find the Blocked button.

Tap the Blocked button, then tap the Add New option to view a list of your contacts. Select the contact you wish to block. The contact will appear on the Blocked page, you can also add other contacts.

But apart from the above methods, there are several ways to block unknown phone numbers, including those suspected of being spam. If this is the first interaction you have had with this number, you can open the chat and select Block.

Alternatively, start a chat with the stranger, then tap the phone number, and select Block Contact, tap Block or Report and Block. Report and Block takes more seriously than just simple Block actions.

If you report and block, it notifies the WhatsApp database so that the contact is added to the list of reported and blocked contacts.

2. Unblock WhatsApp contacts

To open a blocked contact is quite easy. One common way is to tap a blocked contact and try to chat with them. You will then see a sign to unblock them.

Unblock from Android

If you’re using an Android device, you can just tap the three-dot option at the top right corner of the screen and then select Unblock. Tap or hold the name of the contact you want to block and tap Unblock.

Unblock from iOS

Meanwhile, if using an iOS device, just open the Blocked Contacts screen. Tap Edit, then swipe the red dot to Unblock, or just swipe left and tap the Unblock button.

Or, navigate to your blocked contact via Settings, select Account, then tap Privacy, and select Blocked. Tap the name, scroll down the Contact Info panel, and tap Unblock Contact.

Blocking contacts either temporarily or permanently can prevent bullying , abuse, or contacts you don’t want to chat with for a period of time. The Reports feature can help reduce spam across services.