In today’s digital age, communication is primarily through messaging apps, and iMessage is one of the most popular methods for users of Apple devices. But sometimes, misunderstandings and frustrations arise when someone suddenly stops responding to your messages, leaving you to wonder, “How do I know if someone blocked me on iMessage?“
If you’re asking this question, you’re not alone. Whether you’re trying to reach a friend, colleague, or significant other, being blocked on iMessage can feel confusing and even hurtful. Fortunately, there are several ways you can tell if you’ve been blocked, and we’re here to walk you through them.
This article discusses the most common signs that someone may have blocked you on iMessage and how to identify these indicators. So, if you’re trying to figure out what’s happening with your messages, read on for all the details!
- Your iMessage Status Changes to “Delivered” Instead of “Read”
When you send a message to someone on iMessage, you typically see a status underneath the message. If the Person is available and their device is connected to the internet, you’ll see “Delivered” when the message reaches their device. If they have read receipts enabled, you’ll also see “Read” when they read your message.
However, if you’ve been blocked, this can change. Here’s what happens:
- When someone blocks you on iMessage, the message will never be marked as “Delivered,” even though it shows as sent on your end.
- If you continue sending messages to that Person, you will notice that the status either remains stuck at “Sending” or shows “Not Delivered” after a while.
While this isn’t definitive proof that you’ve been blocked, it’s one of the first signs to look out for. If you consistently see that your messages are not getting delivered, it might be time to consider other signs.
- No Phone Calls Go Through
Another clear indicator of whether someone has blocked you on iMessage is how your calls are treated. If you try to call the Person directly from your iPhone, and your calls are consistently sent straight to voicemail after a single ring, it’s a potential sign of being blocked.
When someone blocks your phone number, your call will ring once and then be forwarded to voicemail. If you’re not blocked, the phone will ring until the Person picks up. You might also see this pattern for text messages if they don’t go through after several attempts.
However, this symptom alone isn’t always foolproof. Sometimes, people turn off their phones or have network issues. Still, if your calls are always routed to voicemail without fail, it could be worth considering that you may have been blocked.
- You Can’t See Their Profile Picture or Status Updates
iMessage also allows users to set a profile picture that is visible to everyone they interact with. Similarly, iOS users can change their status, which appears when you send them a message.
If someone has blocked you on iMessage, you can no longer see their profile picture or any status updates. This is because your contact is effectively hidden from your view when blocked. You may still see their name and phone number, but the lack of a profile photo or status update can be an essential clue.
Again, remember that they could have changed their privacy settings, so this isn’t a definitive sign. But when combined with other symptoms, it could indicate that you’ve been blocked.
- Messages Not Being Delivered Even After a Long Time
Another common issue when texting someone who may have blocked you is that your messages will not be delivered, even if you’ve waited a long time.
If someone is not responding to your messages, you’ll see the “Delivered” status, but the Person doesn’t reply. However, the “Delivered” notification won’t appear if you’ve been blocked. You’ll instead notice that your messages hang in limbo without being delivered.
Sometimes, iMessage could display the “Not Delivered” error. If this happens consistently when texting one particular Person, it might mean that they have blocked you. You can also try resending the message after a few minutes to see if the issue persists.
- You Can’t Send Messages to Their Group Chats
One sign that someone has blocked you on iMessage is that you can’t send messages to a group chat that contains that Person. Typically, in a group chat, everyone can participate unless removed or blocked.
If you’re part of a group chat, and your message doesn’t appear in the thread after you send it, or if your message is not delivered to that Person within the group, there’s a chance that Person has blocked you. iMessage won’t notify you if you’ve been blocked in a group chat, but you may notice your messages failing to be sent to them while others in the chat receive your texts without issue.
- Try Sending an SMS Instead of an iMessage
When you send an iMessage, it appears in blue. If the recipient is not on iMessage or their device is turned off, the message automatically turns green, indicating it’s being sent as a standard SMS.
You can test whether you’ve been blocked by trying to send a standard SMS (text message) instead of an iMessage. Here’s how:
- Open the message thread and type out a message.
- If iMessage is working, the message bubble will remain blue.
- If the Person has blocked you on iMessage, your message might turn green and be sent as an SMS.
If you see the message turn green and it’s not delivered, this could be a sign that you’ve been blocked or that there are other network-related issues.
- Use Another iMessage Account to Reach Out.
If you suspect you’ve been blocked, a more specific way to find out is to ask a trusted friend to contact you using their iPhone. If they can send a message to the Person in question and get a response, but you can’t, you’ve likely been blocked.
This method isn’t ideal because it may come across as a bit intrusive or suspicious, but it does give you an answer. If your friend can communicate without issue while you cannot reach the Person, this can confirm your suspicion that you’ve been blocked on iMessage.
- The Person’s iMessage Is Disabled or Deactivated.
Sometimes, you might mistake being blocked on iMessage for someone deactivating their iMessage account or turning off their iPhone altogether. If the Person’s iMessage is temporarily unavailable, your message will be stuck in “Sending” or “Not Delivered” mode for a while.
You can check this by seeing if you receive an error message like “iMessage Unavailable” or by trying to contact them through another platform (like a phone call or text message).
If their iMessage is turned off or they have deactivated their account, you will likely see the same “Not Delivered” notification. Still, once they reactivate it, everything will return to normal.
- Checking with a Third-Party App
Several third-party apps claim to help you detect if someone has blocked you on iMessage. However, it’s essential to be cautious with these apps. Apple does not officially recognize many apps and might not give you accurate results. Additionally, using such apps could compromise your privacy and security.
It’s generally best to rely on the abovementioned methods and not rely too heavily on third-party applications unless they come from a reputable source.
Conclusion: What Should You Do If You’re Blocked?
While being blocked on iMessage can feel disheartening, it’s important to remember that people have their reasons for doing so. Being blocked isn’t always a personal attack, whether it’s to set boundaries, avoid conflict, or take a break from communication.
If you’ve confirmed that you’ve been blocked, you have a few options:
- Give them space: If they’ve blocked you, it’s likely because they don’t want to communicate now. Respect their space and give them time to cool off or reconsider.
- Reach out through other channels: If it’s essential, try contacting them through different methods, such as email or social media, but be sure to respect their boundaries.
- Reflect on the situation: Consider why they might have blocked you. Did you argue? Was there a misunderstanding? Reflecting on the problem can help you decide whether to reach out, apologize, or move on.
Remember that communication is key, and being blocked on iMessage might be just one part of a broader interaction. Take time to process your emotions and approach the situation with patience.
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