WhatsApp Unavailability and Double Grey Ticks Explained

Many users have encountered confusing scenarios while using WhatsApp, such as receiving a message that the recipient is unavailable during a call but seeing double grey ticks when sending a text. This article aims to clarify these situations and provide insights into when and why this might happen.

Understanding Double Grey Ticks

When you send a message through WhatsApp and it shows double grey ticks, it typically means that your message was successfully delivered to the recipient's device. The double grey ticks indicate that the message has arrived, but it doesn't necessarily mean the recipient has read or opened it. If the double grey ticks turn green, it indicates that the message has been opened and seen.

Call Unavailability vs. Message Delivery

When you make a call on WhatsApp and you get a notification that the person is unavailable, it does not always mean that you are being blocked. There can be several reasons for this:

Users Phone is Off or Out of Service

If the person is not answering the call, it could be because their phone is turned off or they do not have signal coverage. In such cases, the call will not go through, but if they are using the WhatsApp app while offline, they might receive a notification that you have called them.

Do Not Disturb Mode

Another possibility is that the individual has their phone set to Do Not Disturb mode. While this setting blocks incoming calls, it typically allows text messages to go through. This is why you might still see double grey ticks even if the person is unavailable for voice calls.

Network Issues

Temporary network issues can also affect call capabilities but not prevent messages from being sent. If you're experiencing these issues, it's a good idea to check if your connection is stable.

Blocking Status

It's important to distinguish between blocking and unavailability. If you've been blocked by the person, your messages will show a single grey tick, indicating that the message was sent but not delivered.

Advanced Scenarios

In more advanced scenarios, some users have observed that when calling a person on WhatsApp, it shows 'calling' but not ringing. This could indicate that the other person is busy with a voice call, which prevents additional calls from going through. However, this does not necessarily mean they have blocked you. Sending a text message in this scenario would still show double grey ticks, indicating that the message was successful.

There have been instances where this behavior could be linked to the person's iPhone settings. If someone has blocked you on their iPhone, that would prevent you from receiving calls or messages, but you would still be able to send and receive messages through WhatsApp on another device.

On iPhones, when you block someone, you will not be able to call them on WhatsApp, but your text messages and video calls will still work. If the video call works, it indicates that the person has blocked your calls but not your messages.

Conclusion

In summary, seeing double grey ticks on a message indicates that it was successfully sent and received, while a notification of unavailability during a call could be due to the recipient being offline, in Do Not Disturb mode, or in the middle of a voice call. Understanding these nuances can help you navigate the complexities of WhatsApp communication with greater ease.