Finding your blocked list on Facebook
Facebook keeps a record of everyone you have blocked, and you can view that list anytime by going to your Settings. The blocked list is not hidden — it is just not advertised on your main menu, so most people never find it. You reach it through Settings and Privacy, then a section called Blocking.
Once you open your blocked list, you will see the names and profile pictures of every person you have blocked on that account. You can unblock anyone from this same page by clicking the Unblock button next to their name. Facebook does not notify the other person when you unblock them, but they will be able to see your profile and send you messages again once you do.
Key Takeaways
- Your blocked list lives in Settings and Privacy under a section called Blocking, not on your main profile or menu.
- You can see the name and profile picture of every person you have blocked, and unblock them from the same page.
- Facebook does not tell the other person you have unblocked them, but they can message you and view your profile again immediately.
- If you block someone again after unblocking them, Facebook clears your message history with that person.
Step-by-step: finding your blocked list on desktop
Step 1: Log into Facebook and look for the downward arrow or menu icon in the top right corner of the page. Click it to open a dropdown menu.
Step 2: Scroll down and click "Settings and Privacy," then click "Settings" from the submenu that appears.
Step 3: On the left side of the Settings page, you will see a list of categories. Look for "Privacy" and click it. If you do not see Privacy listed, scroll down the left menu — it may be below the fold.
Step 4: Under the Privacy section, look for "Blocking." Click on it. This opens your complete blocked list.
Step 5: Your blocked list will show the name and profile picture of each person you have blocked. To unblock someone, click the "Unblock" button next to their name.
Step 6: Facebook will ask you to confirm. Click "Confirm" to finish unblocking them.
Finding your blocked list on the Facebook mobile app
The process on your phone is similar but uses the mobile app layout. Open Facebook and tap the three horizontal lines (called a hamburger menu) in the bottom right corner of the screen on Android, or the bottom right on iPhone.
Scroll down and tap "Settings and Privacy," then tap "Settings." Look for "Privacy" in the menu and tap it. Then tap "Blocking" to see your full blocked list. Tap "Unblock" next to any name to remove them from your blocked list, and confirm when Facebook asks.
What happens when you block someone
When you block a person on Facebook, they cannot see your profile, send you messages, or find you in search results. They cannot see your posts, comments, or photos. If you were friends before you blocked them, that friendship is removed. The blocked person will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they may notice they cannot find your profile or see your posts anymore.
If you had an active conversation with someone before blocking them, that message thread stays in your inbox, but they cannot reply to it. Once you unblock them, they can message you again, but your old conversation history remains in your inbox for you to see.
Unblocking someone and what they can do after
When you unblock someone, they regain the ability to see your profile, send you messages, and find you in search. They can comment on your posts and see your photos. However, if you were friends before you blocked them, unblocking does not automatically make you friends again — you will need to send a friend request or they will need to send one to you.
Facebook does not send them a notification that you unblocked them. They will only know if they try to visit your profile or search for you and suddenly can see you again. There is no way for them to know exactly when you unblocked them, only that you did at some point.
If you block someone again after unblocking
If you unblock someone and then block them a second time, Facebook clears your entire message history with that person from your inbox. This is different from the first time you blocked them — the first block leaves your messages intact. This is important to know if you are considering unblocking someone temporarily to retrieve an old conversation.
If you need to save messages from someone before blocking them again, take screenshots or copy the text before you unblock them. Once you block them a second time, those messages are gone from your account and cannot be recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block someone without them knowing?
Yes. Facebook does not notify the person you blocked. They will only realize it if they try to visit your profile, search for you, or look for an old conversation and cannot find you. There is no notification sent to them.
If I unblock someone, will they see all my old posts?
Yes. Once you unblock them, they can see all your posts, photos, and comments that are visible to the privacy level you set them to. If your posts are set to "Friends Only" and you are not friends with them, they still cannot see those posts even after unblocking.
What if I blocked someone by accident?
Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy, then Blocking. Find the person's name in your blocked list and click Unblock next to it. Confirm the unblock, and they will be able to see your profile and message you again right away.
Can I see if someone blocked me?
Facebook does not show you a list of people who blocked you. You can try searching for their name or visiting their profile — if you cannot find them and cannot see their profile, they may have blocked you, but they also may have deactivated their account or changed their privacy settings.
Do blocked people see that I unblocked them?
No. Facebook does not send a notification when you unblock someone. They will only know if they try to contact you or view your profile and suddenly can again.