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How to block someone on WhatsApp messenger

WhatsApp messaging app
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Social media has made it easier than ever to stay connected with all of our friends and family. It’s also — unfortunately — a breeding ground for trolls and troublemakers. Fortunately, WhatsApp makes it easy to block trolls and other annoying, unsolicited messages from filtering in. Here's everything you know about how to block and unblock people from WhatsApp on Android and iOS.

Want to try a new messaging app? Check out our list of the best messaging apps for Android and iOS. Want some more privacy? Browse our list of the best encrypted messaging apps.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • WhatsApp on smartphone or web

  • Internet connection

How to block a WhatsApp contact on Android

Sometimes you may need to block an existing WhatsApp contact to get some peace of mind. Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp on your smartphone or the web.

Step 2: Search for the name of the person you want to block. You can use the Search icon at the top or scroll through your chats to find their chat thread.

Step 3: Click on the Three dots at the top right near the person's contact name. This will open a small menu.

Three dots menu on WhatsApp.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Step 4: Select More > Block.

The menu might look a little different depending on your Android and app version, but the steps are similar.

Block option on WhatsApp.
screenshot / Digital Trends

How to block a WhatsApp contact on iOS

Blocking an existing WhatsApp contact on iOS is just as easy.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp and search for the name of the person you want to block.

Step 2: Open their detailed profile by clicking on their Username.

Step 3: Scroll down until you find the Block option. Selecting this will block the contact until you choose to unblock them again.

WhatsApp block option on iOS.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Block multiple contacts on WhatsApp

If you want to block multiple people at once, it may not be practical to open each contact and individually block them. Instead, here's an easy way to mass-block people.

Step 1: Open WhatsApp and click on the Three dots in the right corner of your homepage.

WhatsApp homepage three dots menu.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Step 2: Go to Settings > Account > Privacy.

Step 3: Scroll down to find the Blocked contacts option.

Blocked contacts option on WhatsApp Android.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Step 4: Click on the Plus sign at the top right and select the names of all the contacts you want to block.

Add contacts to blocklist on WhatsApp.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Step 5: The process is the same for iOS devices. Go to Settings > Account > Privacy, then click on the Blocked option. Click on Add new and select the contacts you want to block.

How to unblock on WhatsApp

Change your mind and want to unblock someone? It's easy.

Step 1: Search for the name of the person you want to unblock, open their conversation, and try to send them a message. You'll be prompted to unblock them.

Unblock prompt on WhatsApp.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Step 2: Another option is to open the blocked person's chat thread, click on the Three dots in the top right, and select Unblock.

Unblock menu in chat thread WhatsApp.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Step 3: It's similar for iOS. Go to the person's profile and scroll down until you see the Unblock contact option.

Unblock WhatsApp contact iOS.
screenshot / Digital Trends

Blocking contacts either temporarily or permanently can prevent bullying, abuse, or simply unwanted contact with people you don’t wish to chat with. Blocking doesn’t have to be forever, and you can easily give a blocked person a second chance whenever you choose.

Jackie Dove
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Jackie is an obsessive, insomniac tech writer and editor in northern California. A wildlife advocate, cat fan, and photo app…
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