If Someone Blocks You, Can You Still See Their Location?
Location sharing is one of the most valuable features introduced for public usage in recent decades. With the use of such tools, people can keep track of loved ones, coordinate meetups, or promote safety in emergencies. However, even benevolent aspirations may be ruined at any time. What if someone blocks you, be it an accident or a deliberate choice?
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Location sharing is one of the most valuable features introduced for public usage in recent decades. With the use of such tools, people can keep track of loved ones, coordinate meetups, or promote safety in emergencies. However, even benevolent aspirations may be ruined at any time. What if someone blocks you, be it an accident or a deliberate choice?
Does blocking automatically cut off location access? Can someone still see my location if they blocked me? In this material, we are going to explore what location sharing presupposes, how different apps handle this process, and which phone tracker is a respectful choice for both parties to enjoy.
Brief Answer
In general, blocking means that any type of communication, including the one on the geographical level, is restricted and, thus, no longer possible. However, this also depends on the particular apps and how this feature has been set up.
Let us imagine that the person used to actively share their location with you before blocking. In this case, you are likely to view their last known location until the system updates or access is revoked. Nevertheless, in some cases, location can be still visible, if the access has been given to multiple people with whom you mutually share your own location, too.
How Location Sharing Works
Before we learn how blocking affects tracking features, it is vital to understand what location sharing means. Location sharing is a process of mutually granting access to real-time or last-known whereabouts through various digital platforms. This technology is usually employed by navigation apps, parental control tools, social media platforms, team coordination devices, fitness trackers, deliveries, and more.
As such, apps that rely on location tracking usually require permission to allow other users to view their location. More advanced tools may also feature comprehensive customization opportunities to select time limits and contacts/groups to trust.
Anyway, location sharing is always about real-time updates which comprise the essence of this process. The process commences once one enables location services on their device, usually via a GPS feature (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also possible) that detects their current coordinates and sends them directly to the system. Afterward, this information can be updated at different intervals, ranging from a few seconds to a few minutes.
By the way, here is how apps track your location and why it can be concerning.
Now, if you block someone, can they still see your location? We would rather say “no” unless one is attempting to circumvent privacy measures or ready to look for loopholes, too.
What Happens When Someone Blocks You?
The situation can be quite unpleasant when someone dear to your heart blocks you, with several changes up to occur. As a rule, blocking restricts direct messaging, calling, and even access to shared data like location. The blocked person may no longer be able to send messages, see the other person’s online status, view and interact with their content, see the current location and the history of movements, and just communicate.
However, it is a drastic measure that may differ from platform to platform. Let us briefly cover the most popular and widely used applications with the restrictions they impose when a user has been blocked.
If Someone Blocked You On iPhone, Can You Still See Their Location?
If you block someone on iPhone, can you still see their location? This is probably one of the most burning questions that we may find on the Internet. As such, this generally refers to two major iOS features, i.e., iMessage (or Messages) and Find My in particular.
As for Find My, you will no longer be able to see the location of a person who blocked you. This means that access to their current location and their devices is instantly disabled, and from this point, you are unable to track them, their status, and activity with the use of the app, even if you previously had access to their position in real time (this usually comes down to Family Sharing options).
In terms of Messages and FaceTime, calls or video chats will be inaccessible, too. Your attempts to reach out to them will definitely go unnoticed, and photos, videos, and documents shared via the app will be unavailable as well. If you ever had access to shared media in the past, it will be revoked. In group chats, this presupposes no replies, mentions, or direct communication.
To block someone on an iPhone:
Go to a dedicated app (Phone, Message, FaceTime, or Mail)
Tap the “Info” button located next to a contact/number
Select “Block this Contact/Caller”
Apps Specified: Can You Still See Someone's Location if They Blocked You?
So, if you block someone, does it stop sharing the location? This mainly depends on the policies of a certain app and the conditions established before you have (been) blocked.
Google Maps
Many users employ Google Maps not only as a navigation tool but a platform to share their position with predefined contacts. If someone blocks you, you lose access to their location, which is obvious. The app updates location data in real time, so if you block someone, they will no longer appear in your list of shared contacts, and you will be unable to see their current location and other Google-based data, though it does not necessarily remove shared past locations in turn.
To block someone on Google Maps:
Open Google Maps and tap your profile icon located at the right side of the search bar
Go to the “Location Sharing” section
Find the person you want to block
Tap their name -> More (⋮) -> Block
On Instagram, location sharing is typically associated with direct messages and posts, especially when utilizing the location tag in stories or posts. Blocking someone on Instagram usually means you will not see their posts, stories, or location updates. If they used to share their location in messages or on their profile, blocking will prevent them from accessing that information from now on. Your profile will be invisible to them as well.
To block someone on Instagram:
Open Instagram and go to their profile
Tap the “More” button located at the top right corner
Select “Restrict” or “Block”
If your Meta accounts are linked, you will be offered an option to block a person on all platforms simultaneously.
Messengers (e.g., Telegram, WhatsApp)
On apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, blocking someone stops all communication, including the ability to share real-time location and messaging, the main function of these platforms, too. So, if you block someone, can you still see their location? Once blocked, you will no longer be able to view where they are. No personal information, including location data, is disclosed.
To block someone on WhatsApp or Telegram:
Open Chat with the person
Tap the profile image
Tap the “More” button and scroll down to find the “Block” button
Life360
Life360 has been specifically developed for tracking locations among families or close-knit groups. If someone blocks you on Life360, you will be unable to view their location. The software relies on real-time location data, and blocking disables this connection, so you will be unable to track the banned person's whereabouts, even for a moment. No alerts, no SOS features available.
To block someone on Life360:
Open Life360
Choose the correct Circle at the top dropdown menu
Tap the “Settings” icon
Look for Circle Management
Choose a member to remove and tap on their name
Look for the "Remove from Circle" option and confirm
Anyway, you can trick Life 360 and break the rules “established” by other users. However, it is not really fair (but who cares?...).
The Versatile Solution for Those Who Love and Respect
Do you wish to mutually share location data with your dear ones and be able to pause it without blocking those whom you love? Then, Number Tracker is the best choice for sure.
Number Tracker is a universal app or literal social media to communicate and interact with other users, i.e., your family members, colleagues, or friends. Besides, unlike traditional apps of this kind that require constant access, it provides customizable settings for you to decide who can see your location and when.
Try Number Tracker now to enjoy:
Real-Time Location Sharing (consent required!)
Temporary Pausing (pause location sharing anytime)
Geofencing Alerts (get notified when someone enters/leaves a specific area)
Customizable Privacy Settings (select who can see your location and when they can)
Phone Number Lookup (identify who was calling you and check their approximate location on the spot)
Driving Safety Features (keep track of driving habits, monitor speed, braking, and total ride count, and receive instant notifications in case of a detected crash).
Summary: Blocking means total restrictions that come down to location tracking, messaging, calls, and overall interaction within the platform. Once someone blocks you, your ability to see their updates, contact them, or access any shared features is instantly revoked. So, the general rule is always the same – blocking destroys all digital ties between users (and may go beyond digital space, too).
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Real-time GPS tracker