How to Identify if You Have Been Blocked on WhatsApp
Users seeking to determine if a contact has blocked them on WhatsApp cannot rely on a single, definitive notification. WhatsApp states in a support document that while there are signs, there is no reliable way to check, as messages and calls not arriving could also have technical reasons. For the person on the other end of the block, it is difficult to determine that the counterpart has taken such drastic measures.
Understanding the Security Code Verification Method
A functional method to verify the status of a contact involves the “Verify Security Code” feature, as WABetaInfo first reported. This tool, originally designed to ensure that chats are end-to-end encrypted so that no one can read messages between you and your contact, can be used as a block check. If you call up the function for a contact who has blocked you, the security check will fail. WhatsApp will then ask you to verify the encryption in another way, such as by having a QR code on your device scanned by your contact or by comparing a 60-digit number. This is not an option if the person has no interest in contact.
Step-by-Step: Conducting the Verification Check
To perform this check, open the chat window with the contact in question. Tap on the name at the top of the screen to open the contact info. Tap the three-dot menu in the upper right corner and select “Verify Security Code.” The check takes only a few seconds. Your WhatsApp contact will not know that you have performed the check.
Why This Method Is Not an Official Feature
Currently, the method still works to find out if you have been blocked by a WhatsApp contact. This could change in the future, as it is only a side effect of an entirely different messenger feature. Meta could make changes to make the security check more restrictive and thus leave blocked contacts in the dark again.
Comparison of Block Indicators
| Indicator | Reliability | Alternative Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Missing “Last Seen” | Low | User privacy settings |
| No Profile Photo Updates | Low | User removed photo or privacy settings |
| Messages Stuck at One Tick | Medium | Device offline or technical reasons |
| Failed Security Verification | High | Likely restriction on contact |
Ultimately, when someone blocks someone on WhatsApp, it prevents any communication with the contact. Messages can still be written, but they do not arrive. Calls also go completely into a void.