You can see your blocked list in Facebook settings, and unblock anyone from there
Facebook keeps a record of everyone you've blocked, and you can view that list anytime by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Blocking. The blocked list shows the names of people you've blocked, and you can unblock anyone directly from that same page. This works the same way on desktop, mobile browser, and the Facebook app.
The reason to check your blocked list is usually one of three things: you want to unblock someone you blocked in anger, you forgot who you blocked and want to remember, or you're trying to figure out why someone isn't showing up in your friends list or search results. Knowing how to find your blocked list solves all three.
Key Takeaways
- Your blocked list is in Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking, and shows the full names of everyone you've blocked.
- You can unblock someone by clicking the "Unblock" button next to their name on that page.
- Blocking someone hides their profile from you and prevents them from messaging, tagging, or finding you in search — unblocking reverses all of that.
- If you block someone and then unblock them, they won't be notified, but they'll be able to see your profile again if they search for you.
Step-by-step: Finding your blocked list on desktop
Open Facebook and click the downward arrow in the top right corner. Select "Settings & Privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side menu, scroll down and click "Blocking." You'll see a section labeled "Block users" with a list of everyone you've blocked, showing their profile picture and name.
If your blocked list is long, you can search for a specific person using the search box at the top of the Blocking page. Type their name and Facebook will filter the list to show only matches. This is faster than scrolling through dozens of names if you're trying to remember whether you blocked someone specific.
Step-by-step: Finding your blocked list on mobile
Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner. Tap "Settings & Privacy," then "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Blocking." You'll see the same blocked list as on desktop, with names and profile pictures of everyone you've blocked.
On mobile, the search box works the same way — tap it and type a name to filter your blocked list. If you have a lot of blocked people, searching is much faster than scrolling on a small screen.
What happens when you unblock someone
When you unblock someone, they can see your profile again, send you messages, tag you in posts, and find you through search. You'll also be able to see their profile, and they may appear in your friends suggestions or in mutual friends' posts. Unblocking does not automatically add you back as friends — it just removes the block.
Facebook does not notify the person you've unblocked. They won't receive a message saying you unblocked them. However, if they search for you or visit your profile, they'll see that the block is gone and can interact with you normally again.
The difference between blocking and unfriending
Blocking and unfriending are two separate actions that do different things. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and search for your profile — you just won't see their posts in your feed anymore. When you block someone, they can't see your profile at all, can't message you, and can't find you in search.
If you want to remove someone from your friends list but stay on good terms, unfriending is the gentler option. If you want to cut off all contact and visibility, blocking is stronger. You can also block someone without unfriending them first — blocking automatically removes the friendship.
Why someone might not appear in your search results
If you're searching for someone and they don't show up, one reason could be that you've blocked them. But there are other reasons too: they may have changed their privacy settings to hide from search, deactivated their account, or deleted their account entirely. They might also have blocked you, which would prevent you from finding them.
If you think you blocked someone but can't remember, check your blocked list using the steps above. If they're not there, try searching for them by a different name variation or asking a mutual friend if the account still exists.
Managing your blocked list over time
Your blocked list can grow without you realizing it, especially if you block people during arguments or when you're frustrated. Checking it every few months and unblocking people you no longer need to block keeps your list manageable and prevents you from accidentally staying blocked from someone you've made peace with.
There's no limit to how many people you can block on Facebook, so the size of your list won't affect your account. But if you're blocking dozens of people, it might be worth asking yourself whether you want to stay on Facebook at all, or whether adjusting your privacy settings or muting people instead of blocking them would work better for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see if someone blocked me?
Not directly — Facebook doesn't tell you when someone blocks you. But you can check by searching for their name or trying to visit their profile. If their profile doesn't appear in search and you can't find it by clicking on their name in old conversations, they may have blocked you or deleted their account.
If I block someone and then unblock them, will they know?
No. Facebook doesn't send a notification when you unblock someone. They'll only know if they try to visit your profile or search for you and see that they can now access it again.
What if I want to block someone but still see their posts?
Blocking is all-or-nothing — you can't block someone and still see their posts. If you want to stay friends but hide their posts from your feed, use the "Mute" option instead. Find their profile, click the three dots, and select "Mute." You'll stay friends but won't see their posts unless you visit their profile directly.
Can I block someone from their profile page?
Yes. Visit their profile, click the three dots in the top right, and select "Block." This is faster than going through Settings if you're already looking at someone's profile and decide you want to block them.
Does blocking someone delete our old messages?
No. Messages you've already exchanged stay in your message history, but you won't be able to send new messages to each other while the block is active. Once you unblock them, you can message again, and your old conversation history will still be there.