If someone blocks a number on an iPhone, their device will stop receiving calls, FaceTime, and text messages from that number. SMS messages sent to a blocked iPhone number will not be delivered to the recipient. From the sender’s perspective, the message may appear to send normally, but it never reaches the other person’s phone.
This can cause confusion because there is no alert or error message confirming the block. The message status may still show as “Sent” or even “Sent as Text Message,” but the recipient’s device will not display it. The same block applies to iMessages, which will fail to deliver when blocked.
Understanding how iPhone blocking works helps explain why messages seem to vanish without a trace. It also clarifies why delivery notifications can be misleading in these situations.
Will SMS Be Delivered If You Are Blocked on iPhone?
Being blocked on someone’s iPhone can be tricky to confirm — Apple doesn’t notify you, and message behavior can be misleading. The answer depends on whether you’re sending an iMessage or a regular SMS text.
1. iMessage vs SMS: The Basics
- iMessage (blue bubbles): Sent via Apple’s servers over Wi‑Fi or cellular data.
- SMS/MMS (green bubbles): Sent via your carrier’s network.
2. What Happens If You’re Blocked?
If Sending iMessage (Blue)
- Your messages will not be delivered to the recipient.
- On your end, you won’t see the “Delivered” or “Read” status — it will just show as “Sent” or nothing at all.
- The message stays on your device as if it went through, but it never reaches the other person.
If Sending SMS (Green)
- The message may still show as “Delivered” on your phone because it was delivered to your carrier’s network, not the recipient’s device (source: SimplyMac).
- In reality, the blocked person’s phone will not receive the SMS.
- You won’t get a failure notification unless your carrier explicitly supports it (most don’t).
3. Why “Delivered” Can Be Misleading
- For SMS, “Delivered” means the carrier accepted the message — not that the recipient’s phone received it.
- For iMessage, “Delivered” means the message reached the recipient’s device — so if you’re blocked, you won’t see it.
4. Signs You Might Be Blocked
- iMessages never show “Delivered” or “Read” anymore.
- Your blue iMessages suddenly turn green (sent as SMS).
- Calls to the person go straight to voicemail after one ring.
- Repeated attempts to contact them get no response.
⚠️ None of these signs are 100% proof — the person could have turned off their phone, lost service, or switched devices.
✅ Bottom Line
- SMS: May appear “delivered” to you, but won’t reach the blocked person’s iPhone.
- iMessage: Will not show “Delivered” and won’t reach the recipient.
- Apple doesn’t notify you when you’re blocked — the only way to know for sure is to ask the person directly.
Key Takeaways
- SMS and iMessages to a blocked iPhone are not delivered
- Message status on the sender’s phone can still show as sent
- iPhone blocking also stops calls and FaceTime from that number
Frequently Asked Questions
When a number is blocked on an iPhone, calls and messages from that number will not reach the recipient. The sender may still see a “Sent” or even “Delivered” status, but the message does not appear on the other person’s device. Network behavior and phone type can affect what the sender sees.
What happens to SMS messages when a contact has blocked you on iPhone?
If a contact blocks a number, SMS messages from that number will not be delivered to their phone. The messages will not appear in their inbox or trigger any alerts. On the sender’s side, the message may still show as sent, but the recipient never receives it.
Does iMessage indicate if a message is delivered to a contact who has blocked you?
No. iMessage does not confirm delivery when the recipient has blocked the sender. The “Delivered” label will not appear under the message. The sender will not get a notification that they have been blocked.
How can you tell if someone has blocked you on iMessage?
There is no direct alert for being blocked. However, messages that no longer show “Delivered” and calls that go straight to voicemail can be signs. These signs are not proof, as network issues or settings like Focus mode can cause similar results.
What is the difference in message delivery notifications on iPhone when blocked versus the phone being off?
When blocked, iMessages will not show “Delivered” and will never reach the recipient. When the phone is off, messages may also lack the “Delivered” tag at first, but once the phone is turned on and connected, the status updates and the message appears.
Is there a way to know if you’ve been blocked on iMessage without sending a message?
Not with certainty. Without sending a message, the only clues might come from call behavior. Calls that ring once and go to voicemail repeatedly could suggest a block, but the same can happen if the phone is set to Do Not Disturb.
Do text messages show as ‘Delivered’ on Samsung phones if the sender is blocked?
On Samsung devices, blocked messages usually do not show as delivered. However, delivery reports depend on carrier settings. In some cases, the sender may still see a delivery confirmation even though the recipient never receives the message.
