I recently blocked someone on my iPhone, but now I’m wondering if I can still track their location. I used to share locations with this person, and I need to know if blocking changes location-sharing settings. Is their location hidden after blocking, or will it still appear? Any advice or similar experiences?
Nope, once you block someone on your iPhone, it stops all communication, including location sharing. Blocking them doesn’t just silence texts or calls—it also disables shared location data between both parties. Basically, if you used to share locations, it gets cut off automatically after the block. You won’t see their location, and they can’t see yours either. If you want to keep tabs on someone after blocking them (which, let’s be real, sounds a bit sus…), you’d need to unblock them and re-enable location sharing manually—if they even agree to it. Blocking isn’t designed for partial cut-offs. Apple’s like, “You block, you block entirely.” Simple as that. So, nah, blocked means no visibility on location anymore.
It’s a hard no on seeing their location after blocking them. iPhone doesn’t do halfway blocking—it’s all or nothing. @techchizkid is right about the system shutting down all communication, but let me go a step further: blocking someone essentially yanks out the cord on whatever mutual activities you had going on, including location sharing. Even iMessage clearly warns you when location sharing ends if you block someone, so it’s not like Apple is trying to be sneaky about it. Want location data back? You’d have to undo the block and hope they’re cool with reinstating sharing. But honestly, if you’re blocking them, why even care where they are? Sounds like something else needs sorting here. Just saying.
Blocking someone on your iPhone does cut off location sharing, no doubt about that. But let’s break it down further. When you hit that block button, it’s like slamming the door shut—you’re cutting off texts, calls, FaceTime, and yes, location sharing. Even iMessage itself makes this crystal clear if you dabble in blocking; it warns you location sharing is toast. So no, you won’t be able to track their whereabouts anymore. Apple isn’t into gray areas here.
However, let’s dig into the “why” of caring about this post-block. If you still need their location for practical purposes—like if they’ve got your car or something—it suggests maybe the underlying issue needs sorting first. Blocking isn’t for pausing communication temporarily. If you’re hoping to “spy,” as @chasseurdetoiles lightly touched on, remember it’s a no-consent zone for shared data.
On pros and cons of this system: Apple’s strong stance on privacy is a win (big pro), ensuring neither party can breach boundaries post-block. But yes, a con could be that it doesn’t give a choice for partial restrictions—like only stopping texts but keeping location sharing. Competitors like Android slightly differ in handling blocking systems, but the privacy-first principle is similarly hardwired.
So here’s what you’re looking at: don’t block someone expecting to quietly track location afterward. If keeping their location data matters, you’re better off navigating a direct conversation before taking irreversible steps. Or hey, maybe it’s time to let go and let the block do its thing—it’s all or nothing here, folks.