Implementing Block/Unblock User in iOS with CometChat UIKit

Build a comprehensive user profile screen in your iOS app using CometChat’s UIKit for iOS, complete with avatar display, messaging, audio/video calls, and block/unblock actions.

Overview

The UserDetailsViewController provides a detailed view of a CometChat user’s profile and key interaction options, including:

• Displaying the user’s avatar, name, and online status.
• Initiating one-on-one chats.
• Starting audio or video calls.
• Blocking or unblocking users.
• Deleting the conversation with the user.

Prerequisites

• A UIKit-based iOS project.
• CometChat UIKit for iOS v5 installed via CocoaPods or Swift Package Manager.
• Valid CometChat App ID, Region, and Auth Key.
• User authenticated with CometChat.login() before presenting the details screen.

Components

Component	Role
CometChatAvatar	Displays user’s profile picture with customizable styling.
CometChatMessagesViewController	Opens the 1-on-1 chat interface when “Message” is tapped.
CometChatCallButtons	Initiates audio/video calls (CometChat.startCall()).
CometChatUIKit.blockUser()	Blocks the selected user and updates UI accordingly.
CometChatUIKit.unblockUser()	Unblocks a user if previously blocked.

Integration Steps

1. Presenting the User Details Screen

Initialize and push UserDetailsViewController with the selected user’s data.

import UIKit
import CometChatSDK

func showUserDetails(for user: User) {
    let detailsVC = UserDetailsViewController(user: user)
    navigationController?.pushViewController(detailsVC, animated: true)
}

File reference:
UserDetailsViewController.swift

Ensures the details screen loads with the correct user context.

2. Configuring the UI

Arrange avatar, labels, and action buttons on the view.

override public func viewWillAppear(_ animated: Bool) {
    super.viewWillAppear(animated)
    setupLayout()
    setupNavigationBar()
    if let user = user {
        updateUserStatus(user: user)
    }
}

File reference:
UserDetailsViewController.swift

Applies theme-based styling and updates status label on appearance.

3. Enabling Call Buttons

Add audio and video call buttons if calls SDK is available.

#if canImport(CometChatCallsSDK)
buttonContainerStackView.addArrangedSubview(audioCallButton)
buttonContainerStackView.addArrangedSubview(videoCallButton)
#endif

File reference:
UserDetailsViewController.swift

Conditionally shows call options based on SDK availability.

4. Block/Unblock and Delete Actions

Provide block/unblock and delete conversation functionality.

@objc func showBlockAlert() {
  // Toggle block/unblock logic with CometChat.blockUsers / unblockUsers
}

@objc func showDeleteAlert() {
  // Confirm and call CometChat.deleteConversation()
}

File reference:
UserDetailsViewController.swift

Manages user relationships and conversation lifecycle.

5. Listening for User Events

Update UI in response to status, block, and unblock events.

func connect() {
  CometChat.addUserListener(listenerID, self)
  CometChatUserEvents.addListener(listenerID, self)
}

func disconnect() {
  CometChat.removeUserListener(listenerID)
  CometChatUserEvents.removeListener(listenerID)
}

extension UserDetailsViewController: CometChatUserEventListener, CometChatUserDelegate {
  func onUserOnline(user: User) { updateUserStatus(user: user) }
  func onUserOffline(user: User) { updateUserStatus(user: user) }
  func ccUserBlocked(user: User) { statusLabel.isHidden = true }
  func ccUserUnblocked(user: User) { statusLabel.isHidden = false; updateUserStatus(user: user) }
}

File reference:
UserDetailsViewController.swift

Keeps profile status and block state in sync with real-time events.

Customization Options

• Avatar Styling: Use CometChatAvatarStyle to adjust shape and border.
• Button Assets: Replace default icons with custom images.
• Localization: Override button titles and alerts with localized strings.
• Theming: Leverage CometChatTheme and CometChatTypography for fonts and colors.

Filtering & Edge Cases

• Hide block/unblock controls for the logged-in user.
• Disable call buttons if calling is disabled in settings.
• Handle missing or partially loaded user data with fallback UI.

Error Handling

• Fetch Failures: Show error label or dismiss the view.
• Block/Unblock Errors: Present retry alert on API failure.
• Call Failures: Alert user on call initiation error or permission denial.

Feature Matrix

Feature	Component / Method
Display user details	CometChatAvatar, UILabel
Open chat	CometChatMessagesViewController(user:)
Audio/video call	CometChat.startCall() via Call Buttons
Block user	CometChatUIKit.blockUser(uid:)
Unblock user	CometChatUIKit.unblockUser(uid:)
Delete conversation	CometChat.deleteConversation()

Full Sample App

Try the complete sample app for User Details: GitHub → SampleApp

UIKit Source Code

Explore CometChat UIKit iOS repository: GitHub → UIKit v5