What blocking actually does on your device
Blocking stops someone from contacting you through a specific app or service. When you block a person's phone number, they cannot call or text you — their message goes nowhere and they get no delivery confirmation. When you block someone on social media, they cannot see your profile, send you messages, or find you in search. When you block an email address, messages from that sender go straight to spam or a blocked folder.
Blocking is not the same as deleting. The person's old messages stay on your device unless you delete them separately. Blocking just stops new contact from that person going forward. On most services, the person does not get a notification that you blocked them, though they may figure it out when their messages fail to send or their calls go unanswered every time.
The steps to block someone vary by device and by which app or service you are using. Your phone's built-in blocking works differently from blocking on Facebook, which works differently from blocking on email. This guide walks through the most common blocking tasks on the devices and services most people use.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking a phone number on your device stops calls and texts from that number, but the person may not know they are blocked.
- Blocking on social media hides your profile from that person and prevents them from messaging you, but does not delete old messages or posts they can still see on their own device.
- Email blocking sends messages from that address to spam or a blocked folder, but does not stop the sender from emailing you — it just hides the messages from your inbox.
- You can unblock someone at any time, and blocking one service (like your phone) does not block them on another service (like email or Instagram).
How to block a phone number on iPhone
Open the Phone app and go to Recents. Find the number or contact you want to block, tap the info icon (a circle with an "i" in it), scroll down, and tap Block This Caller. The number is now blocked — calls and texts from that number will not reach you.
If you want to block someone who has already texted you, open Messages, find the conversation, swipe left on it (or tap Edit in the top left), and tap Block. You can also open the conversation, tap the contact name at the top, scroll down, and tap Block This Caller.
To see your list of blocked numbers, open Settings, tap Phone, and scroll down to Blocked Contacts. From here you can tap Edit and unblock anyone by tapping the red minus sign next to their name.
How to block a phone number on Android
Open the Phone app and go to Recents or Call History. Long-press the number you want to block until a menu appears, then tap Block Number or Block Contact. The exact wording depends on your phone's manufacturer, but the option will be clearly labeled.
If you want to block someone from a text message, open Messages, long-press the conversation, and look for Block or Block Contact. Some Android phones also let you block directly from the contact: open Contacts, find the person, tap the menu (three dots), and select Block Contact.
To see or change your blocked numbers, open the Phone app, tap the menu (three dots or lines), and look for Settings or Blocked Numbers. The exact location varies by phone model and Android version, but it is always in the Phone app's settings.
How to block someone on Facebook, Instagram, or Threads
On Facebook or Instagram, go to the person's profile. Tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select Block. On Threads, tap the three dots on someone's post or profile and select Block Account. Once blocked, that person cannot see your profile, posts, or stories, and cannot send you messages or friend requests.
The blocked person can still see old comments or likes you left on public posts before you blocked them, but they cannot see anything new you post. They also cannot search for you and find your profile — you will not appear in their search results.
To unblock someone, go back to their profile (you may need to search for them), tap the three dots, and select Unblock. You can also go to your Settings, find Privacy or Blocking, and see a list of everyone you have blocked. Tap Unblock next to any name.
How to block someone on email
In Gmail, open an email from the person you want to block. Tap the three dots in the top right, and select Block. Messages from that address will go to your Spam folder automatically from that point forward.
In Outlook, open an email from the sender, tap the three dots, and select Junk or Block Sender. In Apple Mail on iPhone or Mac, open the email, tap the sender's name, and select Block This Contact.
Blocking an email address does not stop the person from sending you messages — it just hides them from your inbox. If you need to prove you received nothing from them, you may need to check your Spam or Junk folder. You can unblock an email address at any time by going to your blocked senders list in settings and removing the address.
How to block someone on Discord, Snapchat, or TikTok
On Discord, right-click the person's name in your server or direct messages and select Block User. On Snapchat, long-press their name in your contacts or chat list and tap Block. On TikTok, tap the three dots on their profile or on one of their videos and select Block User.
Blocking on these apps works similarly to social media: the person cannot message you, see your profile, or find you in search. However, they can still see old comments or videos you posted before you blocked them if those posts are public. Unblocking is just as simple — find the person's profile, tap the menu, and select Unblock.
Keep in mind that blocking on one app does not block them anywhere else. If you block someone on TikTok, they can still text you, call you, or message you on Instagram. You need to block them separately on each service where you want to prevent contact.
What to do if someone keeps contacting you after you block them
If someone calls from a different number after you block them, you can block that number too. If they create a new account to message you on social media or email, you can block the new account or address. Blocking is not permanent — determined people can find workarounds by using different numbers or accounts.
If blocking is not stopping the behavior, you may need to take stronger steps. On your phone, you can report the number to your carrier or to the police if the contact is threatening or harassing. On social media, you can report the account for harassment, and the platform may remove it. On email, you can mark messages as spam or report them to your email provider.
If someone is threatening you, contacting you repeatedly after you have asked them to stop, or showing up at your home or workplace, contact local law enforcement. Harassment and stalking are crimes, and police can help even if the contact is happening online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Not officially — most services do not send a notification. However, someone may figure it out if their calls always go to voicemail, their texts never get delivered, or they cannot find your profile anymore. There is no way to know for certain without asking you directly.
If I block someone, can they still see old messages or posts I made?
It depends on the service. On social media, they can usually still see old public posts and comments you made before you blocked them. On text and phone, old messages stay on both devices. On email, old messages stay in both inboxes unless you delete them. Blocking only stops new contact.
What happens if I unblock someone by accident?
Nothing happens automatically. They do not get notified that you unblocked them. They can now contact you again, but they will not see any messages you sent while they were blocked. You can block them again at any time.
Do I need to block someone on my email if I just block them on my phone?
No. Blocking on your phone only blocks calls and texts. They can still email you, message you on social media, or contact you through other apps. You need to block them separately on each service where you want to stop contact.
Can I block someone without them knowing my phone number or email?
On social media, yes — you can block someone just by finding their profile. On phone and email, you can only block someone if you have already received contact from them or if you know their number or address. You cannot block a stranger you have never heard from.