How to Find Out If Your Number Is Blocked

Determining if someone has blocked you can be an uncomfortable experience. If you suspect that you've been blocked and need to confirm it, try calling the number a few times and observe how the call ends. Note: If you're aware that the person has blocked you and still attempt to call, they might sue you for harassment.

Call the person you suspect has blocked you. Usually, sending a text message won't help you confirm if someone has blocked you, so you need to place a call to them instead.

Listen to how the call ends. If the call ends after one ring (or sometimes just half a ring) and you are directed to voicemail, it means you’ve either been blocked or the person’s phone is unreachable.

• Depending on their carrier, you might hear a message saying the number is unavailable. Carriers like AT&T and Sprint often provide this message, indicating you’ve been blocked.
• Of course, if the person picks up the phone, it means you’re not blocked.

Call again to confirm. Sometimes, a call will go to voicemail even when the connection is stable and your number is not blocked; calling again helps you verify how the call ends.

• If your call still ends after one ring or less and goes to voicemail, it’s certain the person’s phone is either having issues or they’ve blocked your calls.

Try calling them with your number hidden. You can do this by dialing "*67" before their number. While it's unlikely they'll answer a call from an unknown number, this method helps you determine the status of their phone:

• If the call goes through normally—with five or more rings—then your number has definitely been blocked.
• If the call ends after one ring or less and goes to voicemail, their phone might simply be out of battery.

Ask a friend to call the number for you. If you suspect you’ve been blocked and want a clearer answer, you can ask a friend to call the number and inquire about the situation. Remember that while this method may seem effective, it could affect the relationship between your friend and the person who blocked you.

Understand the potential consequences. If you were unintentionally blocked, the person may not mind hearing your voice. However, if you try to contact them after they've purposely distanced themselves, you could be seen as harassing them. Be mindful of the legality of ignoring a block in your area before proceeding.

Hide your phone number. You can do this by dialing "*67" before the number you're trying to reach; your call will appear as an unknown number.

• Most people won’t pick up calls from restricted or unknown numbers, as telemarketers often use this tactic to call people who don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers.

Message them through an IM service. If both of you use Facebook, for instance, you can try reaching out via Messenger. This method also applies to WhatsApp, Viber, Skype, or any other IM service that both of you use.

Leave a voicemail. Even if the person doesn't get notified about your call or voicemail, it will still appear on their phone. You can take advantage of this gap to send them important information if needed.

Try reaching out via social media. If you absolutely need to contact someone who has blocked you, you can send them an email or message them through various social media accounts. Again, consider the necessity of your actions: If you're just upset that they blocked you, it’s probably best to wait until both you and the person are calmer before acting.