Can You Call a Blocked Person on WhatsApp? Explained

WhatsApp has established itself as one of the most widely used messaging platforms globally, offering a variety of features like messaging, voice calls, video calls, and status updates. However, with the growing importance of privacy and boundaries, the ability to block someone plays a key role in how users engage with the app. This leads to a common question that many users find themselves asking: Can you call a blocked person on WhatsApp? Here’s a thorough breakdown of everything you need to know about calling and communication limitations once someone is blocked on WhatsApp.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

If you block someone on WhatsApp, you cannot call them through the app, and they cannot call you. All forms of WhatsApp communication — including voice calls, video calls, and messages — are completely restricted. Blocking cuts off interaction entirely via the platform, preserving your privacy and control. You can unblock them anytime to resume communication.

How Blocking Works on WhatsApp

When someone is blocked on WhatsApp, several changes take place instantly. Blocking is not just about preventing messages; it is a holistic communication block that ensures complete privacy from that individual. Here’s what happens when a person is blocked:

• Messages sent by the blocked contact will not be delivered.
• Neither party can see each other’s status updates.
• The blocked contact’s profile photo is no longer updated on your chat list.
• Typing indicators and last seen timestamps are removed.
• Most importantly, calls will not go through.

Calling Someone You Have Blocked

Once you block someone, you cannot call them using WhatsApp. Attempting to initiate a WhatsApp voice or video call will not connect successfully. The app simply prevents any outgoing communication attempts to someone on your block list. You might see the call dialling screen appear briefly, but the call won’t actually ring on the other person’s end.

WhatsApp doesn’t allow one-way calling in blocked scenarios as it defeats the purpose of a block — which is, at its core, meant to stop all avenues of contact between two users. Thus, if you’ve blocked someone, you’d need to unblock them first and then call if you wish to resume communication.

What Happens If a Blocked Contact Tries to Call You?

Just as you cannot call a blocked contact, they also cannot call you. When a person attempts to call someone who has blocked them, the call might appear to ring on their end, but in reality, it does not go through. The person who initiated the block will never receive a missed call notification or anything suggesting that someone tried to contact them.

This is WhatsApp’s way of maintaining privacy by making the block less obvious. As a policy, WhatsApp does not notify users that they have been blocked, to reduce conflicts or confrontations. Instead, it simulates normal behavior for the blocked person, such as showing ringing tones during a call attempt, even though the call is never received.

Can You Use WhatsApp Features Like Group Calls with Blocked Users?

Interestingly, while person-to-person communication is entirely severed between blocked and blocker, group chats are handled slightly differently. If you both participate in the same group chat, you can still see each other’s messages — unless you mute or exit that group yourself.

However, voice or video group calls function independently based on the group’s structure:

• If a mutual friend initiates a group call including both you and the blocked person, you will not be able to hear or talk to the blocked participant during the group call.
• WhatsApp typically notifies the caller that some participants could not be added — which often includes blocked contacts.

Unblocking Someone for Call Access

To contact a blocked person again, you first have to go through the process of unblocking them. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Click the three-dot menu icon (Android) or go to Settings (iPhone).
3. Select Privacy > Blocked Contacts.
4. Find the contact you want to unblock and tap on it.
5. Select Unblock.

Once unblocked, voice and video call features will be instantly restored, and the person will appear again in your contact list as normal. You may then initiate a WhatsApp call as you would with any other contact.

Alternative Communication Outside WhatsApp

Of course, blocking someone on WhatsApp does not prevent them from calling or texting your regular phone number unless you also block them using your phone’s built-in call and SMS blocking features. If you or the blocked contact try to reach each other through:

• Regular phone calls: Calls will still go through unless blocked at the carrier or device level.
• SMS: Text messages will be delivered unless your phone’s messaging service has also blocked that number.
• Social Media Apps: You would need to block them independently on each platform like Facebook, Instagram, etc.

It’s essential to manage these settings across platforms if you’re trying to sever all forms of digital communication with someone.

Reasons People Use the Blocking Feature

People block others on WhatsApp for various legitimate reasons:

• Harassment or repeated unwanted contact
• Privacy control and boundaries
• Relationship breakups
• Spam messages from unknown numbers or businesses

The blocking feature continues to be one of WhatsApp’s most appreciated tools, allowing users to maintain control over who can reach them. With the certainty that even voice and video calls are restricted once blocked, it gives users the peace of mind they often seek.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I call a person I have blocked on WhatsApp?

No, you cannot call someone you have blocked. All communication is disabled until you unblock them.

Can a blocked contact call me on WhatsApp?

No, the blocked contact cannot successfully connect a call with you. While it may appear to be ringing on their end, the call does not go through.

Will I see missed calls from a blocked contact?

No, WhatsApp does not display any missed calls or communication attempts from blocked contacts.

Can I still receive WhatsApp group calls with someone I blocked?

You may be part of the same group call, but voice and video will not connect directly between the two of you. In some cases, WhatsApp may block direct communication or notify that some callers were not added.

Does unblocking someone automatically resume calls?

Yes, once you unblock someone, all regular WhatsApp features — including calling — become available again.

Conclusion

WhatsApp is designed to offer complete privacy controls, and the platform’s blocking feature is a testament to that commitment. When someone is blocked, they are effectively cut off from all forms of WhatsApp communication — including calls. This ensures both parties can maintain the distance and boundaries necessary for their peace of mind. Users should always use the blocking feature responsibly, knowing that it completely neutralizes any digital interaction on WhatsApp — until and unless that block is reversed.