Blocking stops someone from contacting you, seeing your posts, or finding your profile
When you block someone, the exact result depends on where you're blocking them. On most platforms, they can't message you, call you, see your profile, or find you in search results. On some services, they also can't see posts you've already shared. The blocked person usually gets no notification that they're blocked — they'll just find they can't reach you or see your content.
The steps to block are different on every platform and device. This guide walks you through the most common ones: your phone's contacts, text messages, calls, email, and the major social media apps. If you're blocking someone on a platform not listed here, look for a menu or settings option on their profile — most apps put the block button near the report or mute options.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking on your phone's contacts app stops calls and texts from that number, but the person can still reach you from a different number.
- Social media blocks prevent someone from seeing your profile, posts, and stories, but they can create a new account to get around it.
- Email blocks send messages to spam or trash automatically, but don't stop someone from sending to a different email address.
- Blocking is not the same as reporting — blocking is for your privacy, reporting tells the platform about rule-breaking behavior.
- Most platforms let you unblock someone later if you change your mind.
How to block someone on iPhone
To block calls and texts on iPhone, open the Phone app or Messages app, find the person's name or number, tap the info icon (a circle with an "i"), scroll down, and tap "Block this Caller" or "Block Contact". You can also open Contacts, find the person, tap "Block this Caller" at the bottom.
Once blocked, that person's calls go straight to voicemail and their texts don't appear in your message threads. They won't know they're blocked — the call will just ring on their end before going to voicemail, and texts will send normally from their perspective. If they call from a different number, you'll still receive it.
To unblock, go back to that contact and tap "Unblock this Caller". You can also go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts (or Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts) and swipe left on a name to unblock.
How to block someone on Android
On Android, the steps vary slightly by phone brand and Android version. In the Phone app, find the person's number, tap and hold it, then tap "Block number" or the block icon. In Messages, open a conversation, tap the three dots at the top, and select "Block" or "Block number".
Some Android phones also let you block through Contacts: open the app, find the person, tap the three dots, and choose "Block number". Once blocked, calls and texts from that number won't reach you — they'll see a message saying the call couldn't go through or the text failed to send.
To unblock on Android, go to Phone > Settings > Blocked numbers (or Messages > Settings > Blocked contacts) and tap the X or minus sign next to the number you want to unblock.
How to block someone on Facebook
On Facebook, go to the person's profile, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Block". On mobile, you may see "Block [Name]" directly in a menu. Facebook also lets you block from Messenger: open the conversation, tap the person's name at the top, scroll down, and tap "Block".
When you block someone on Facebook, they can't see your profile, posts, stories, or friend list. They can't message you or add you as a friend. They won't get a notification that you blocked them, but they'll notice if they search for you and your profile doesn't appear. You can unblock anytime by going to Settings > Blocking and clicking "Unblock" next to their name.
How to block someone on Instagram
Go to the person's profile, tap the three dots in the top right, and select "Block". On the web version, click the three dots and choose "Block User". You can also block from a direct message: open the conversation, tap their username at the top, scroll down, and tap "Block".
Blocking on Instagram hides your profile, posts, and stories from that person. They can't find you in search, see your follower list, or message you. They won't be notified, but they'll see that your profile is unavailable if they search for you. To unblock, go to Settings > Blocked, find their name, and tap "Unblock".
How to block someone on email
In Gmail, open an email from the person, click the three dots at the top right, and select "Block [email address]". On the Gmail app, tap the three dots and choose "Block". Blocked emails automatically go to spam, and you won't see notifications from that address.
In Outlook, right-click an email from the person and select "Junk > Block". In Apple Mail, select an email from them, click the Mail menu, and choose "Junk Mail > Block Contact". The exact steps depend on which email service you use, but most have a block or spam option in the message menu.
Keep in mind that blocking an email address doesn't stop someone from creating a new email account and sending from there. If someone is harassing you through email, consider reporting the messages to your email provider as well as blocking.
The difference between blocking and reporting
Blocking is a privacy tool for you — it stops someone from reaching you or seeing your content. Reporting tells the platform that someone broke the rules, like by harassing you, posting illegal content, or impersonating someone. You can block without reporting, and you can report without blocking.
If someone is harassing you, threatening you, or breaking the platform's rules, report them in addition to blocking. Most platforms have a "Report" option near the block button on someone's profile or in a message. Reporting helps the platform take action against the person's account, while blocking just protects your own privacy.
What happens when you block someone
The blocked person usually doesn't get a notification. On most platforms, they'll just find they can't reach you or see your profile. On some apps like Instagram and Facebook, they'll see that your profile is unavailable if they search for you, but they won't know you blocked them specifically — you could have deleted your account or made your profile private.
Blocking doesn't erase past messages or calls. If you've texted or emailed someone before blocking them, those old messages stay in your conversation history. On social media, they can still see posts you shared before you blocked them if they were public or if they were already following you.
If you unblock someone later, they won't know you had blocked them. They'll just see your profile again as if nothing happened. On most platforms, unblocking doesn't automatically re-add them as a friend or follower — you'll need to do that separately if you want to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Not directly — most platforms don't send a notification. But they may figure it out if they search for you and your profile doesn't appear, or if calls and texts suddenly stop going through. On some apps, they might notice they can't see your posts anymore.
If I block someone, can they still see old messages we sent?
On text and email, yes — blocking doesn't delete past conversations. On social media like Facebook and Instagram, they usually can't see old messages you sent in Messenger or DMs once you block them. The exact behavior depends on the platform.
What if someone blocks me?
You won't get a notification, but you'll notice if you try to call, text, or message them and it fails. On social media, their profile may not appear in search, or you'll see a message saying the account isn't available. You can try contacting them from a different number or account, but they may block that too.
Can I block someone without them knowing?
Yes — blocking doesn't send a notification on any major platform. The person will only know if they try to contact you or search for you and notice they can't reach you or see your profile.
Do I have to block someone to report them?
No. You can report someone for breaking the rules without blocking them, and you can block someone without reporting them. If someone is harassing you, doing both is usually the best approach — reporting tells the platform to investigate, and blocking protects your privacy.