Are you wondering if the person to who you’re sending texts has your number in his blocked list? Not knowing the real answer can be frustrating because you don’t know whether the person is not receiving your text messages due to you being blocked or there’s a technical issue with your phone or carrier.
There’s no direct way to tell if your texts are blocked from the recipient’s device or carrier. The reason for this is that text messaging is not universal across mobile platforms. Mobile devices use a combination of text messaging protocols to handle text messaging. These protocols include SMS, iMessage, and RCS. Additionally, there’s number blocking at the carrier’s level which is totally different than using the blocking feature through a phone. Since these protocols work differently, they also handle the blocking of text in different ways.
If you are an Android user, your texts will be handled through the SMS or newer Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol. iPhone and iOS devices’ default messaging system is iMessage, also known as the famous blue bubble.
How to tell if your texts are blocked (SMS, RCS)
If any of you are using an Android device, then you’re both using a combination of SMS and RCS. When someone blocks a number on an Android device, the block occurs at the phone level. This means that when you text that person, the text will still be sent to that person’s phone. No error or notification will show up on your phone.
Since the blocking happens at the phone level, the person will not see your message nor they will receive a notification you’ve sent them a message.
The only way to tell if someone has blocked you is by calling them. If when you call that person and always ends straight in their voicemail, that person has likely blocked your number from calling or texting them.
How to know if someone blocked your number on iMessage
When some who uses an iPhone blocks a number, it blocks the number from calls, SMS, messages, iMessage, email, and FaceTime. This blocking is strictly handled on the iPhone locally.
If you are sending a text message to this iPhone user from an Android device or SMS, that person will not receive the message nor any notification that you’ve sent them a text. To know if they’ve blocked you, give them a call. If your call gets forwarded to their voicemail, it is likely that you’re blocked.
In case you both have an iPhone and both use iMessage, once the person has blocked you your message will not be delivered to the user even though the blue iMessage bubble will have the message as “Delivered.”
Block number at carrier level
The other way in which you can block a number is by directly blocking the number from your carrier. This is more efficient in blocking a number because the blocking works at the carrier level and not at the phone’s level. This means that even if you change your phone the blocked number will still be blocked.
The only downside is that most carriers offer this feature through a paid service. For example, Verizon will allow you to block up to five numbers from calling or texting you. If you want to block more numbers, you will have to pay for these additional services on your carrier:
- Verizon Smart Family: This allows you to block up to 20 numbers from calling or texting you at the carrier level. This service, however, will cost you $4.99/month.
- T-Mobile Family Allowances: This program allows you to block up to 10 numbers. The T-Mobile Family Allowances program is free of charge.
- AT&T ActiveArmor: The ActiveArmor program allows you to have a personal list of numbers from whom you do not wish to receive texts or calls. This program is free for AT&T users.