If you’ve been blocked by one or more contacts on WhatsApp, then you might not even notice it unless you often have direct contact with them, and now no longer can. If you have noticed it, though, and wish to unblock yourself, then we’ve got some good news for you and some bad news.
The good news is that the block does not have to be permanent. It can be undone and your full rights to contact the original blocker can be restored.
The bad news is that this is not something you can do yourself. Since it is an individual user’s right to block someone who they no longer wish to hear from, it would not be fair to allow the blocked individual from undoing that decision. WhatsApp, therefore, does not allow you to do this.
What you can do instead – indeed your only available recourse – is to contact the individual in question by some other means: either by text, phone call, email, in person, or through a friend. Contact the individual and, remembering to be compassionate and understanding, gently enquire as to why they’ve blocked you in the first place. Through conversation with them, you can hopefully apologize for any harm done, and perhaps even convince them to unblock you on the WhatsApp app.
Only when the original blocker decides for themself that they wish to unblock you will you be unblocked. Remember this, and remember to be kind and considerate in conversation, and hopefully, you’ll be unblocked soon enough.
We’re sorry not to have some quick hack or step-by-step guide for you this time around, but that’s just the way it is! If you’d like to learn more, or if you still have unanswered questions, please check out our FAQs below.
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Frequently asked questions
Why would someone block me on WhatsApp?
It’s never a nice position to be in, discovering that you’ve been blocked by a contact of yours, especially if you’re unsure why anyone would want to exclude you or prohibit you from talking to them. Unfortunately, though, it does happen.
There is a number of reasons why someone might block you on WhatsApp because of course the process of blocking someone is super personal, and subjective – in other words, the motivation behind it differs from person to person.
Now, of course, it could have been a complete mistake on the part of the person who you believe has blocked you, but more than likely they meant to do it (since it does require a good few steps to actually block someone in the first place).
Have a think about the most recent communication you’ve had with the person in question over WhatsApp. Is there anything you said, any images or videos or GIFs which you sent which might have upset that person? Anything which might have been misconstrued as offensive, or indeed which could actually be offensive?
If you’re looking to unblock yourself on WhatsApp, then the first and most important step is to learn and grow from your mistakes, so that you can show the person who blocked you that you are not going to repeat whatever behavior it was that caused them to block you in the first place. Only this way can you ask them to change their mind and unblock you.
What does it mean to be blocked on WhatsApp?
Chances are, you may not even realize you’ve been blocked on WhatsApp. Being ‘blocked’ doesn’t mean that your access to the app is withheld, or that you have restrictions placed on the way you use the app. Instead, it simply means that your ability to interact with the person who has blocked you is removed.
In other words, when someone blocks you, you will no longer be able to send and receive messages to and from that contact. If you are in a group chat with them, you will no longer be able to see messages which they send, and likewise, they will not be able to see the message which you send. As such, it’s easy not to notice, unless you often interact with that person directly, and find one day that you no longer can.
Unfortunately, there’s simply no way to ‘unblock’ yourself on WhatsApp. All you can do is to message/contact the person who’s blocked you outwith WhatsApp (either by text or through a friend, or, of course, face-to-face) and ask them to please unblock you.
Will being blocked by one person affect my ability to chat with other people on WhatsApp?
This depends on the severity of the offense (if there is any). If someone has chosen to block you, but not report you to WhatsApp, then your usage of the app will not be restricted or altered in any other way.
However, if you have been blocked by someone who has also reported you, be it for messages they deem offensive or inappropriate, then depending on WhatsApp’s decision – as to whether you have breached their user terms and conditions – you may find yourself with your access to WhatsApp revoked, and your account blocked or deleted.
In short, be kind, be considerate, be compassionate, and you’ll most likely never find yourself asking these questions in the first place!
