How To Block Someone On WhatsApp Without Them Knowing

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, making it easy to stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. However, there are times when you may want to stop someone from contacting you without creating tension or making it obvious. Blocking someone on WhatsApp prevents them from calling or messaging you, but they are not directly notified about it. While WhatsApp does not send a notification to the blocked person, there are a few signs they might notice. Still, you can take steps to block someone discreetly without drawing attention to it. Here is how to block someone on WhatsApp without them knowing.

1. Understand What Happens When You Block Someone
   Before blocking a person, it is important to understand how the feature works. Once you block someone on WhatsApp, they can no longer send you messages, see your last seen, status updates, or profile photo. You will also not receive calls or messages from them. However, WhatsApp does not inform the blocked person that they have been blocked. Messages they send will only show one grey tick, and calls will not go through.
2. Use the Blocking Feature in WhatsApp
   Blocking someone on WhatsApp is simple. Open the chat with the person you want to block, tap on their name at the top of the screen, scroll down, and select Block Contact. You can also block them through your Settings by going to Privacy, selecting Blocked Contacts, and tapping Add New. Once blocked, that person will be unable to reach you on WhatsApp.
3. Avoid Giving Clues That You Blocked Them
   While WhatsApp does not notify people when they are blocked, some users may notice changes in your profile. To keep it discreet, you can take a few extra steps before blocking them. Temporarily hide your Last Seen and Online status by going to Settings → Privacy → Last Seen & Online and choosing Nobody. You can also remove your profile photo and disable Read Receipts so they cannot tell if you have viewed their messages. These changes make your account appear inactive rather than blocked.
4. Consider Using the “Mute” Option First
   If you do not want to block someone completely, muting their messages is a more subtle alternative. Open their chat, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, select Mute Notifications, and choose a duration — such as 8 hours, 1 week, or always. Muting lets you stop notifications from that person without them knowing, and you can still see their messages whenever you choose.
5. Delete or Archive the Chat for Peace of Mind
   If you do not want to see their messages or be tempted to reply, you can archive or delete the chat. Archiving hides the conversation from your main chat list without deleting it, while deleting removes it completely. This makes it easier to maintain distance while staying discreet.
6. Adjust Your Privacy Settings for Extra Caution
   You can further protect your privacy by customizing who sees your personal details. In Settings → Privacy, you can set Last Seen, Profile Photo, About, and Status to My Contacts or Nobody. This ensures that even if you block someone, your activity appears limited to everyone, not just the blocked contact.
7. Unblock Anytime You Change Your Mind
   If you later decide to reconnect, unblocking is easy. Go to Settings → Privacy → Blocked Contacts, select the person’s name, and tap Unblock. Once unblocked, they can send messages and view your updates again.
8. Be Polite and Calm if They Notice
   In rare cases, the person may suspect they have been blocked if they cannot reach you. If this happens and they ask you directly, stay calm and polite. You can simply say you have been less active on WhatsApp or managing your contact list. This approach avoids conflict and keeps the situation peaceful.

Also Read: How To Block People From Wi-Fi