WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. It allows easy communication through text messages, calls, video chats, and more. However, like any messaging platform, WhatsApp also gives users the option to block contacts.
So what happens when you get blocked by someone on WhatsApp? Can you still call them even if they’ve blocked you? Here is a detailed look at what blocking means on WhatsApp and whether you can call blocked contacts.
What does blocking mean on WhatsApp?
When you block someone on WhatsApp, you essentially cut off all communication from that person. Here are some key things to note about blocking contacts on WhatsApp:
- You will no longer receive any messages or calls from a blocked contact.
- Any messages you send to a blocked contact will not go through.
- A blocked contact will not be able to see your profile photo, last seen status, or any other info.
- You will not be notified if a blocked contact changes their WhatsApp info like profile photo or status.
- A blocked contact is also removed from all WhatsApp groups that you are both part of.
So in summary, blocking someone on WhatsApp completely limits any interaction between you and that person on the platform.
Can you call a blocked contact on WhatsApp?
Now coming to the core question – since blocking stops all messaging, does that mean blocked contacts can’t call you on WhatsApp? Let’s find out:
Yes, you can call a contact even if they’ve blocked you on WhatsApp.
Blocking prevents direct messaging between you and the contact. However, it does not affect WhatsApp’s calling feature. So if you try calling a blocked contact, the call will go through normally.
But there are some caveats to this:
- The call will go through but the blocked contact will not receive any caller ID or info that it is you calling.
- If they’ve also added you to their block list, they will not even get any notification of an incoming WhatsApp call from you.
- Any calls made to them will directly go to voicemail.
So in essence, while you can technically call a blocked contact, they have no way to know it is you calling unless they answer the call. The block prevents your identity from being displayed to them.
Can a blocked contact call you on WhatsApp?
This works the other way round too. If you’ve blocked someone, they can still call you on WhatsApp but with the same limitations:
- You will not see any caller ID when receiving their call.
- If you’ve blocked them, their calls will directly go to voicemail.
- You will not get any notification that they are calling unless you answer the call.
So in summary, anyone can call a blocked contact on WhatsApp, but the block prevents either party from knowing who is calling or receiving any details about the incoming call.
Can you unblock a contact to call them?
If you urgently need to get in touch with a blocked contact, you can simply unblock them, call them, and block them again if needed. Here is how to unblock someone on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Tap Account > Privacy > Blocked contacts.
- This will show the list of all blocked contacts. Tap on the ‘Unblock’ icon beside the contact you want to unblock.
- Confirm that you want to unblock that person when prompted.
Once unblocked, you’ll be able to call or message them normally. If it was an accidental unblock, you can always block them again afterwards.
Limitations of calling blocked contacts
While WhatsApp does allow calls to blocked contacts in both directions, there are some limitations to be aware of:
- It only works for regular WhatsApp audio calls, not video calls.
- The block prevents any caller ID so both parties are unaware of who is calling.
- On iOS devices, incoming calls from blocked contacts may go straight to voicemail.
- If the blocked contact has also blocked you, they will never know you called.
So essentially, while calls are possible to blocked users, the block severely limits any meaningful interaction during such calls.
Can you message a blocked contact?
Unlike calls, you cannot send any messages to a blocked WhatsApp contact. If you try to message someone who has blocked you, here is what happens:
- You will not get the single tick that shows your message was sent.
- You will keep seeing the “clock” icon indicating the message is still sending.
- After a while, this error message will appear: “Your message couldn’t be sent. Contact blocked.”
So while calls go through in limited capacity, messaging a blocked contact is not possible on WhatsApp.
Conclusion
To summarize, if you are blocked by someone on WhatsApp:
- You can still call them and your call will go through.
- However, they will not see your caller ID or know it’s you calling.
- You cannot send any text messages to a blocked contact.
- If needed, you can unblock them, communicate, and block again.
So while WhatsApp blocks give you control over who interacts with you, calls still enable basic communication if absolutely needed. Use this capability judiciously and avoid unwanted calls to blocked contacts in most cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a blocked contact see my last seen or online status if I call them?
No, your last seen, online, or any other status is never visible to blocked contacts, even if you call them.
What if I block someone who has my number saved in their phone book?
They will still be able to call you from their phone dialer even if blocked on WhatsApp. But they will not know in advance that it’s you calling.
Can I get in trouble legally for calling a blocked contact?
There are no legal issues with calling a blocked contact on WhatsApp. However, if someone requests you not to contact them, continuing to call after blocking could amount to harassment in some cases.
Will blocking notify the contact?
No, WhatsApp does not send any notification to a contact when you block or unblock them.
Can I call a blocked contact on WhatsApp Business?
Yes, normal calling capabilities apply to WhatsApp Business as well. Blocked contacts can be called but without caller ID displayed.
Can I call someone who has deleted my number?
If someone has deleted your number or changed their SIM card, WhatsApp detects you as an unknown contact. Calling such unknown contacts is not possible.
| Scenario | Can you call? | Can they call you? |
|---|---|---|
| Contact blocked you | Yes | Yes |
| You blocked contact | Yes | Yes |
| You both blocked each other | Yes | Yes |
| Unknown contact (deleted number) | No | No |
This summarizes the key scenarios when it comes to calling blocked contacts and unknown numbers on WhatsApp.
Can I call someone who has blocked me without them knowing?
While you can technically call a blocked contact, it defeats the purpose of their block and could amount to harassment. Avoid making unwanted calls to blocked contacts.
Other ways to communicate with a blocked contact
If you need to urgently contact someone who has blocked you on WhatsApp, here are some alternative options besides calling:
- Use a different messaging platform like Signal or Telegram to message them.
- Send them an email explaining the urgent reason you need to connect.
- Message them from a mutual friend’s phone number.
- Connect with them through social media by sending a polite message.
- If urgent, try reaching them by phone or text SMS.
The best approach is to respect their block and try alternative professional communication channels. Avoid anything that might be perceived as harassment or insistence against their wishes.
In summary:
- You can call but not message blocked WhatsApp contacts
- Your identity and info will be hidden when calling blocked users
- Both parties can call each other regardless of who blocked whom
- Video calls are not possible to blocked contacts
- Messages will fail if sent to a blocked contact
So while WhatsApp blocking limits messaging and profile visibility, audio calls still enable basic communication channels, albeit without full transparency. Use this capability mindfully as per the situation.