What happens if you block someone on WhatsApp and then unblock them - briefly?
When you block someone on WhatsApp and subsequently unblock them, the blocked user will be able to see your last seen status, online status, and any changes made to your profile picture. However, previous messages sent or received during the period of being blocked will not be restored.
What happens if you block someone on WhatsApp and then unblock them - in detail?
When you block someone on WhatsApp, several changes occur in the communication dynamics between your accounts. Firstly, the blocked user will no longer be able to send messages or calls to your number. This includes both individual and group chats, where their messages will not be delivered and they won't appear as a participant anymore. Their profile picture, status updates, and any changes to their contact information will also cease to be visible to you.
However, if you decide to unblock this user, the situation reverts but with certain nuances. Once unblocked, the user can start sending messages and making calls again, just as they did before the block was implemented. However, there are some important points to note:
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Messages and Calls: Any messages or calls sent during the period when the user was blocked will not be delivered once the block is lifted. WhatsApp does not store or forward these communications retroactively.
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Group Chats: If the blocked user was part of a group chat, they will need to be added back to the group manually by one of the administrators. The user's messages sent during the block period in group chats will also remain undelivered.
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Privacy Settings: Your privacy settings, such as "Last Seen," "Profile Photo," and "About" information, may need to be reconfigured if you want to restrict what the unblocked user can see about your account. By default, these settings will be open again, allowing the unblocked user full access unless adjusted.
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Notification: The blocked user will not receive any notification that they have been unblocked. They will only realize this change when their messages start getting delivered or when they successfully make a call to your number.
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Media Files: Any media files such as photos, videos, or voice notes sent during the block period will also remain undelivered and won't be accessible once the block is lifted.
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Status Updates: The blocked user's status updates that you missed while they were blocked will not appear in your Status tab. You will only see their new status updates from the moment they are unblocked onwards.
In summary, unblocking a user on WhatsApp restores the ability to communicate but does not retroactively deliver any messages or calls sent during the block period. It is crucial to be aware of these implications when deciding whether to unblock someone.