How to tell if you've been blocked on Android

If your texts and calls aren’t getting through to friends, family or colleagues, your number might be blocked. However, it’s likely that the blocker won’t inform you, or you just may have no way to ask. Sometimes, blocking also happens by accident and that’s why it’s good to know how to block a number on Android to undo the process.

But what if you’re the one that’s been blocked?

Here’s the way to check.

What happens when your number is blocked?

The first thing to know is what actually happens when someone has blocked your number.

If you try to call them, you’ll likely find that you hear one or two rings, and are then told that their number is unavailable. This happening doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve been blocked – they may just have ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode enabled – but it’s one clue. If instead their phone keeps ringing, you’re not blocked, they’re simply not picking up for some other reason.

If you’re trying to send them text messages, there’s no obvious hint unfortunately. Your message will appear to deliver fine, the recipient simply won’t receive it.

How to check whether you’re on a person’s ‘Blocked Number’ list

If you are on speaking terms with the person that might have blocked you, it’s easy enough to check whether you’re blocked using their phone – with their permission of course.

If they also use an Android phone, they need to open their ‘Contacts’ app, access its settings menu (this will be located slightly differently depending on their phone), and tap on ‘Blocked numbers’.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

If they’re an iPhone user then instead they need to go to Settings > Phone > Blocked Contacts.

If your number is on the list, that means you’ve been blocked by their device. By removing it from the list, your calls and messages should make it to their device again.

How to check if you’ve been blocked from your own Android phone

What if you don’t have a line of communication to the person who you think has blocked you? On Android devices, there’s an alternative workaround to tell whether your number’s been blocked:

1. Open the ‘Contacts’ app on your phone.
2. Find the contact who you think has blocked your number.
3. Back up their contact details or make a note of their phone number and anything other information.
4. Tap the three dots in the top corner of the screen.
5. Tap ‘Delete’.
6. Close the ‘Contacts’ app by long-pressing the home button/swiping up from the bottom of the screen and holding until all open apps are visible, then swipe ‘Contacts’ up and off the screen.
7. Re-open ‘Contacts’.
8. Search for the deleted contact using the search bar at the top of the screen.

If the contact in question – the one you just deleted – shows up as a suggested contact, then chances are they haven’t blocked your number. On the other hand, if they don’t show up, there’s a good chance that they have blocked you.

This advice only applies if someone has blocked your actual phone number through their phone. If you’re worried you’ve been blocked on another specific platform, check our guides to finding out if you’ve been blocked on WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.