Blocking stops a person from calling you or sending you messages. Reporting also tells WhatsApp about spam or abuse. You can do both in a few taps, and the person is not told.
What blocking does
- They cannot message or call you, and their messages show only one tick on their side.
- They no longer see your last seen, online status, status updates or new profile photo changes.
- You stay in shared groups; you can still see each other's messages there.
- Blocking does not delete them from your phone contacts.
On Android
- Open the chat with the person.
- Tap ⋮ › More › Block, or tap their name at the top and scroll down to Block.
- Tap Block again to confirm, or Report / Block and report if they sent spam or abuse.
For a message from an unknown number, WhatsApp shows Block and Add (or Report) buttons right in the chat.
On iPhone
- Open the chat and tap the person's name at the top.
- Scroll down and tap Block [name].
- Choose Block, or Report / Block and Report.
Report without blocking
Tap their name, scroll down and tap Report. You can also long-press a single message and tap Report (Android: ⋮ › Report). When you report, WhatsApp receives the last few messages from that chat so it can check them. It does not see the rest of your chats.
See and unblock
- Android: ⋮ › Settings › Privacy › Blocked contacts. Tap a name › Unblock.
- iPhone: Settings › Privacy › Blocked. Swipe left on a name › Unblock.
- You can also add a number from this screen (tap + or Add new).
Messages they sent while blocked are never delivered, even after you unblock.
Report a group
Open the group, tap its name, scroll down and tap Report group. You can choose to leave the group at the same time.
If it doesn't work
- They message you from a new number: block that number too and report it.
- They keep adding you to groups: set Privacy › Groups to My contacts.
- Threats or blackmail: take screenshots, block, and in India report at cybercrime.gov.in or call the helpline 1930.
Safety tip
Never pay or send photos to someone who threatens you. Block, report and tell someone you trust. Read more in WhatsApp scam safety.
This is GroupChatOn’s own easy guide. We are not WhatsApp and are not linked with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp sometimes changes its menus: if a button looks different on your phone, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
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