How to Block Contacts on WhatsApp

Download Article

If someone is bothering you on WhatsApp, it's easy to block their calls and messages

Download Article

• On iPhone
|
• On Android
|
• On WhatsApp Web
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more|Show less

This How.com.vn teaches you how to prevent a WhatsApp contact from messaging you. You can block contacts on iPhone, Android, and desktop versions of WhatsApp.

Things You Should Know

• You'll find the Block option in your Settings under "Account" > "Privacy" > "Blocked."
• On an Android, tap the plus sign at the top-right and select a contact to block.
• On an iPhone, tap "Add New" and select a contact to block.
• Once you've selected a contact, select "Block" or "Block Contact" to prevent them from contacting you.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

On iPhone

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Open WhatsApp. Tap the WhatsApp app icon, which resembles a white phone and speech bubble outline on a green background. This will open WhatsApp to the last page you had open if you're signed into your account.

   • If you aren't signed into WhatsApp, tap Agree & Continue and then follow the on-screen prompts to verify your WhatsApp number.
2. 
   2
   Tap Settings. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

   • If WhatsApp opens to a chat conversation, first tap the "Back" button in the top-left corner of the screen.
   Advertisement
3. 
   3
   Tap Account. This is near the top of the Settings page.
4. 
   4
   Tap Privacy. It's at the top of the Account page.
5. 
   5
   Tap Blocked. You'll find this near the bottom of the Privacy page. Doing so opens your WhatsApp block list.
6. 
   6
   Tap Add New…. It's at the top of the page.

   • If you have any contacts blocked, Add New... will appear below the bottom contact's name.
7. 
   7
   Select a contact to block. Tap the name of the contact whom you want to block to add them to your block list.
8. 
   8
   Unblock the contact if necessary. If you ever want to unblock the contact, do the following:

   • Tap Edit in the top-right corner of the "Blocked" page.
   • Tap the red circle
     
     to the left of the name of the contact whom you want to unblock.
   • Tap Unblock to the right of the contact's name.
9. 
   9
   Block a contact from a chat. If you want to block someone who isn't in your contacts, you can block them from within their chat settings:

   • Tap the chat with the person whom you want to block.
   • Tap the contact's name or number at the top of the chat page.
   • Scroll down and tap Block Contact.
   • Tap Block when prompted.
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

On Android

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Open WhatsApp. Tap the WhatsApp app icon, which resembles a white phone and speech bubble outline on a green background. This will open WhatsApp to the last page you had open if you're signed into your account.

   • If you aren't signed into WhatsApp, tap AGREE AND CONTINUE and then follow the on-screen prompts to verify your WhatsApp number.
2. 
   2
   Tap ⋮. It's in the top-right corner of the WhatsApp main screen. A drop-down menu will appear.

   • If WhatsApp loads to a conversation when you open it, first tap your Android's "Back" button before tapping the ⋮ icon.
3. 
   3
   Tap Settings. This option is in the drop-down menu.
4. 
   4
   Tap Account. It's near the top of the Settings page.
5. 
   5
   Tap Privacy. You'll find this at the top of the Account page.
6. 
   6
   Tap Blocked contacts. It's near the bottom of the Privacy page, just under the "Messaging" heading. Doing so opens your block list.
7. 
   7
   Tap the "Add" icon. This person-shaped icon with a plus sign next to it is in the top-right corner of the screen. Your Android's WhatsApp contacts list will open.
8. 
   8
   Select a contact. Tap the contact whom you want to block. Doing so immediately adds the person to your block list.
9. 
   9
   Unblock the contact if necessary. If you ever want to unblock the contact, do the following:

   • Long-press the contact's name on the "Blocked contacts" page.
   • Tap Unblock name when prompted.
10. 
    10
    Block a contact from a chat. If you want to block someone who isn't in your contacts, you can block them from within their chat settings:

    • Tap the chat with the person whom you want to block.
    • Tap the contact's name or number at the top of the chat page.
    • Scroll down and tap Block at the bottom of the page.
    • Tap BLOCK when prompted.
Advertisement

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

On WhatsApp Web

Download Article

1. 
   1
   Open WhatsApp Web. Go to https://web.whatsapp.com/ in your computer's web browser.
2. 
   2
   Sign into WhatsApp Web if necessary. If you aren't signed into WhatsApp Web in your browser, do one of the following (depending on your smartphone) before proceeding:

   • iPhone — Tap Settings in the bottom-right corner of the main WhatsApp page, tap WhatsApp Web/Desktop, point your iPhone's camera at the QR code on the right side of the WhatsApp Web page on your computer, and wait for the code to scan.
   • Android — Tap ⋮ in the top-right corner of the main WhatsApp page, tap WhatsApp Web in the drop-down menu, point your Android's camera at the QR code on the right side of the WhatsApp Web page on your computer, and wait for the code to scan.
3. 
   3
   Click ⋮. It's at the top of the list of chats on the left side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
4. 
   4
   Click Settings. This option is in the drop-down menu.
5. 
   5
   Click Blocked. It's in the Settings menu on the left side of the page. Doing so opens your WhatsApp block list.
6. 
   6
   Select a contact. Click the name of the contact whom you want to block. This will add them to your WhatsApp block list.
7. 
   7
   Unblock a contact if necessary. If you ever want to unblock the contact via WhatsApp Web, do the following:

   • Click the X to the right of the contact's name.
   • Click UNBLOCK when prompted.
8. 
   8
   Block a contact from a chat. If you want to block someone who isn't in your contacts, you can block them from within their chat settings:

   • Click the chat you want to open.
   • Click the contact's name at the top of the page.
   • Scroll down in the right-hand pane, then click Block.
   • Click BLOCK when prompted.
Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

• Question

  Why am I still seeing blocked contacts in a group?

  

  Community Answer

  Because blocking just blocks the person from personally contacting you. A group is a public space, so you can still see blocked contacts in the group.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 1Helpful 7
• Question

  How else can I block someone?

  

  Community Answer

  Click on the three vertical dots on the top right hand corner of your screen. Then, choose the option 'More.' Click on 'Block', then click on 'Ok'

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 5Helpful 4
• Question

  Can I receive a blocked person's messages in a group chat?

  

  Community Answer

  Yes, because blocking them just blocks the person from personally contacting you. A group chat is a public space, so you can still see blocked contacts in the group.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn

  YesNo

  Not Helpful 0Helpful 3

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertisement

Video

Tips

• Blocking a contact neither removes you from their contact list nor removes their entry from yours. You must physically delete this person from your Contacts in order to remove them.
  Thanks

  Helpful1Not Helpful0
• Blocked contacts will not be able to see any edits to your profile picture, name, or status updates from the time you block them. Similarly, your "last seen" timestamp and online status will no longer be available to a blocked contact.
  Thanks

  Helpful0Not Helpful0
• If you decide to unblock a contact later, you will not receive any messages that were sent while they were blocked.
  Thanks

  Helpful0Not Helpful0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Advertisement

Warnings

• There is currently no option to block unknown users before they message you.
  Thanks

  Helpful2Not Helpful2
• You cannot unblock your number from another person's contact list.
  Thanks

  Helpful1Not Helpful1
• From certain indicators, users may be able to tell if you have blocked them.
  Thanks

  Helpful0Not Helpful4

Advertisement