Can you block a contact in WhatsApp so they can't see you - briefly?
Yes, you can block a contact in WhatsApp to prevent them from seeing your online status or any changes to your profile picture and status updates. When you block someone, they will no longer be able to call or message you, effectively making you invisible to them within the app.
Can you block a contact in WhatsApp so they can't see you - in detail?
Certainly, blocking a contact on WhatsApp is a straightforward process that ensures the blocked user cannot see your online status, profile picture, or any updates to these elements. Here’s a detailed guide on how to block a contact in WhatsApp and what this means for both parties:
Steps to Block a Contact on WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the WhatsApp application on your device.
- Navigate to Contacts: Go to the ‘Chats’ tab and then tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner of the screen to open the menu. Select 'Contacts' from the list.
- Find the Contact: Scroll through your contacts list to find the person you wish to block.
- Block the Contact: Tap on the contact’s name, and then tap the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner of the screen within that specific chat window. Select 'More' from the dropdown menu, followed by 'Block'. Confirm your decision when prompted.
Implications of Blocking a Contact:
- Invisible Online Status: The blocked contact will not be able to see your online status (the last seen timestamp).
- No Profile Picture or Status Updates: They won’t have access to view or download your profile picture, about section, or any changes you make to these.
- Undelivered Messages: Any messages sent by the blocked contact will not be delivered and there will be no notification for them.
- No Calls: The blocked contact will be unable to call you via WhatsApp.
- Mutual Groups: If both of you are part of a group, the blocked contact can still see your messages within that group. However, they won’t receive any notifications when you change your profile picture or status.
Unblocking a Contact:
If at any point you decide to unblock the contact, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp: Launch the application.
- Go to Settings: Tap on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select 'Settings'.
- Navigate to Account: Select 'Account' from the menu.
- Blocked Contacts: Tap on ‘Privacy’ and then on ‘Blocked’. Here you will see a list of all blocked contacts.
- Unblock Contact: Tap on the contact you wish to unblock, and then tap ‘Unblock’ when prompted.
By understanding these steps and implications, you can effectively manage your WhatsApp interactions, ensuring your privacy is maintained as desired.