The world of online communication has revolutionized the way we connect with each other. One of the most popular messaging platforms is iMessage, a proprietary service from Apple that allows users to send messages, photos, and videos between Apple devices. But have you ever wondered what happens when you block someone on iMessage? Do blocked iMessages deliver? In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of iMessage blocking and explore the answers to these burning questions.
The Anatomy of iMessage Blocking
Before we dive into the topic of blocked iMessage delivery, it’s essential to understand how iMessage blocking works. When you block someone on iMessage, you’re effectively restricting their ability to contact you through the platform. This means they won’t be able to send you messages, make voice or video calls, or even initiate a FaceTime conversation.
When you block a contact on iMessage, the platform doesn’t notify the blocked person that they’ve been blocked. Instead, their messages will appear as sent, but they won’t appear on your device. This can be confusing, as the blocked person might think you’re ignoring them or that their messages are being delivered, but not read.
iMessage Blocking Methods
There are two ways to block someone on iMessage:
Method 1: Blocking from the Message Thread
You can block a contact directly from the message thread. To do this:
- Open the Messages app on your Apple device.
- Find the conversation with the person you want to block.
- Tap on the contact’s name or number at the top of the screen.
- Tap on the “Info” button (represented by a small “i” icon).
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap “Block This Caller.”
Method 2: Blocking from the Settings App
You can also block a contact from the Settings app. To do this:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple device.
- Scroll down and tap on “Messages.”
- Tap on “Blocked Contacts.”
- Add the contact’s number or Apple ID to the blocked list.
Do Blocked iMessages Deliver?
Now that we’ve covered the basics of iMessage blocking, let’s address the million-dollar question: Do blocked iMessages deliver? The short answer is no, blocked iMessages do not deliver. When you block someone on iMessage, their messages are not delivered to your device. They won’t appear in your message thread, and you won’t receive any notifications.
However, there’s a twist. When someone sends you an iMessage and you’ve blocked them, the message is not deleted or lost. Instead, it’s stored on Apple’s servers, awaiting delivery in case you unblock the contact in the future. This means that if you decide to unblock the person, you’ll suddenly receive all the messages they sent you while you had them blocked.
But what about the “Delivered” Receipt?
You might be wondering why, when you block someone on iMessage, they still see the “Delivered” receipt on their end. This is because the “Delivered” receipt only indicates that the message was successfully sent to Apple’s servers, not that it was delivered to your device.
When you block someone on iMessage, the message is still sent to Apple’s servers, which is why the blocked person sees the “Delivered” receipt. However, the message is not forwarded to your device, and you won’t receive it.
The Consequences of Blocking Someone on iMessage
Blocking someone on iMessage can have several consequences, both for the blocker and the blocked person.
For the Blocker
When you block someone on iMessage, you’ll no longer receive messages, calls, or video calls from that person. This can be beneficial if you’re dealing with harassment or unwanted contact. However, it’s essential to note that blocking someone on iMessage does not block them from contacting you on other platforms, such as social media or email.
For the Blocked Person
When someone blocks you on iMessage, you won’t receive any notification that you’ve been blocked. You’ll simply think that the person is ignoring you or not responding to your messages. This can be frustrating and confusing, especially if you’re trying to communicate with someone important.
Can You Tell if Someone Has Blocked You on iMessage?
Unfortunately, there’s no definitive way to determine if someone has blocked you on iMessage. However, there are a few signs that might indicate you’ve been blocked:
- You don’t receive a response to your messages, despite sending multiple attempts.
- You don’t see the “Read” receipt, even though you know the person has read your message.
- Calls or video calls don’t go through, or you receive a message saying the person is “unavailable.”
Keep in mind that these signs don’t necessarily mean you’ve been blocked. The person might be busy, have their device turned off, or be experiencing technical issues.
Blocking vs. Muting on iMessage
While blocking and muting are often used interchangeably, they have different effects on iMessage conversations.
Blocking
As we’ve discussed, blocking someone on iMessage restricts their ability to contact you through the platform. They won’t be able to send you messages, make voice or video calls, or initiate a FaceTime conversation.
Muting
Muting a conversation on iMessage is different from blocking. When you mute a conversation, you’ll still receive messages from the person, but you won’t receive notifications. This means you can still see the messages in your message thread, but you won’t be alerted when a new message arrives.
Muting is useful when you want to silence a conversation without restricting the person’s ability to contact you. For example, you might mute a group chat that’s getting too noisy or a conversation with someone who sends you frequent updates that you don’t need to see immediately.
Conclusion
In conclusion, blocked iMessages do not deliver to your device. When you block someone on iMessage, their messages are stored on Apple’s servers, awaiting delivery in case you unblock them in the future. Remember that blocking someone on iMessage only restricts their ability to contact you through the platform, not on other social media platforms or email.
It’s essential to understand the intricacies of iMessage blocking and muting to navigate online communication effectively. By using these features judiciously, you can maintain a safe and respectful online environment for yourself and others.
What happens when an iMessage is blocked?
When an iMessage is blocked, it means that the recipient has blocked your phone number or Apple ID, restricting you from sending them messages through the iMessage service. This can occur due to various reasons, including the recipient intentionally blocking you or accidentally adding your number to their block list. As a result, any iMessage you attempt to send to the blocked number will not be delivered, and you will not receive any notification or indication that the message was blocked.
It’s essential to understand that when an iMessage is blocked, it does not mean that the recipient will be notified or alerted in any way. They will not receive any indication that you tried to contact them, and your message will simply disappear without being delivered. This makes it challenging to determine whether an iMessage has been blocked, as there is no explicit notification or error message indicating that the message was not delivered.
How can I tell if my iMessage has been blocked?
There is no straightforward way to determine if an iMessage has been blocked, as Apple does not provide a notification or error message indicating that a message was blocked. However, there are some subtle signs that may suggest your iMessage was not delivered. For instance, if you’re used to seeing “Delivered” or “Read” receipts under your messages, and suddenly these indicators disappear, it could be a sign that your iMessage was blocked.
Another possible indication of a blocked iMessage is if you notice that your messages are not being responded to, even though you’re certain the recipient is active on their device. This lack of response, combined with the absence of delivery or read receipts, may suggest that your iMessage was blocked. Keep in mind that these signs are not definitive proof of a blocked iMessage, as there could be other explanations for the lack of response or delivery indicators.
Will I know if someone has blocked me on iMessage?
Unfortunately, Apple does not provide a direct way to know for certain if someone has blocked you on iMessage. The platform’s design ensures that the blocking process is anonymous, and the person who has been blocked will not receive any notification or indication that they’ve been blocked. This means you will not know for certain whether someone has blocked you on iMessage unless they explicitly tell you.
However, you can try to gather indirect clues by observing the behavior of your messages. If you notice that your messages are not being delivered or responded to, despite the recipient being active on their device, it could suggest that you’ve been blocked. But again, this is not definitive proof, and there could be other explanations for the lack of response or delivery.
Can I still send SMS texts if someone has blocked me on iMessage?
Yes, if someone has blocked you on iMessage, you can still send them SMS texts using the Messages app on your iPhone. When you send an SMS text to a blocked number, it will be delivered to their device as a regular text message, bypassing the iMessage service. However, keep in mind that the recipient will still not receive any indication that you’ve been blocked on iMessage.
It’s essential to understand that sending SMS texts to a blocked number may not be desirable in all situations, especially if you’re trying to respect the recipient’s decision to block you. If someone has taken the step to block you on iMessage, it’s likely they do not want to receive messages from you, and continuing to send SMS texts could be seen as harassment.
How do I unblock someone on iMessage?
If you’ve blocked someone on iMessage and want to unblock them, you can do so by following these steps: Go to Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts, then find the person you want to unblock and swipe left on their name. Tap “Unblock” to remove them from your block list. Once you’ve unblocked the person, you can resume sending them iMessages, and they will be able to receive your messages again.
Keep in mind that unblocking someone on iMessage will not notify them that they’ve been unblocked, and they will not receive any indication that you’ve removed them from your block list. The unblocking process is a private action, and it’s up to you to initiate contact with the person again if you want to re-establish communication.
Can I block someone on iMessage if they’re not using an iPhone?
No, you cannot block someone on iMessage if they’re not using an iPhone or an Apple device. iMessage is a proprietary service exclusive to Apple devices, and it only works between Apple devices. If the person you want to block is using an Android device or a non-Apple device, you will not be able to block them on iMessage.
However, if the person you want to block is using an iPhone or an Apple device, but you’re communicating with them through SMS texts or another messaging service, you may still be able to block them using the built-in blocking features of your device or messaging service.
Will blocking someone on iMessage block them on other Apple services?
Blocking someone on iMessage will not automatically block them on other Apple services, such as FaceTime, iCloud, or Apple Mail. Each Apple service has its own blocking mechanism, and you’ll need to block the person separately on each service if you want to restrict their access.
For instance, if you block someone on iMessage, it will only block them from sending you iMessages, but they may still be able to contact you through FaceTime or send you emails through Apple Mail. To block them on these services, you’ll need to access the blocking features within each service separately.