When you block someone on your iPhone, the following happens:
- The blocked person cannot call, text, or FaceTime you.
- Their calls go straight to your voicemail as if your phone is off, but they are not notified that they are blocked. Voicemails from blocked numbers are stored separately in a "Blocked Messages" folder.
- Text messages and iMessages from blocked contacts do not get delivered to your device. The sender will not receive a notification that they are blocked, but their messages do not reach you.
- FaceTime calls from blocked numbers will ring indefinitely on their end but never alert you or connect. They also cannot leave FaceTime voicemails.
- Blocking syncs across your Apple devices signed in with your Apple ID, so the block applies on iPad and Mac as well.
- Blocking does not affect communication on third-party apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Instagram.
- The blocked contact is not notified explicitly that they are blocked, but they may suspect it based on calls always going to voicemail and messages not being delivered.
This effectively stops all direct communication via phone calls, texts, iMessages, and FaceTime while keeping the block private to you. However, voicemails can still be left and checked separately if you want.
