How to unblock someone on Facebook
To unblock someone on Facebook, go to your settings, find your blocked list, and click "Unblock" next to their name. The person will then be able to see your profile, send you messages, and interact with your posts again. Facebook does not notify them that you have unblocked them.
The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using Facebook on a computer or a phone, but the blocked list is in the same place on both. Once you unblock someone, you can block them again later if needed — there is no limit to how many times you can change this.
Key Takeaways
- Your blocked list is in Settings under "Blocking," and you can view all the people you have blocked in one place.
- Unblocking someone takes one click and happens immediately, but they will not receive a notification about it.
- After you unblock someone, they can see your profile, message you, and tag you in posts unless you have other privacy settings in place.
- You can block and unblock the same person as many times as you want without any restrictions from Facebook.
Unblocking on a computer or laptop
Open Facebook in your web browser and click the downward arrow in the top right corner of the page. Select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings." On the left side of the screen, scroll down and click "Blocking" under the "Privacy" section.
You will see a list of people you have blocked under the heading "Block users." Find the person you want to unblock and click the "Unblock" button next to their name. A confirmation window will appear asking if you are sure — click "Confirm" to finish. The person is now unblocked and can interact with you on Facebook again.
Unblocking on an iPhone or Android phone
Open the Facebook app and tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap "Settings and privacy," then tap "Settings." Scroll down to find "Blocking" under the "Privacy" section and tap it.
You will see a list of blocked people. Tap "Unblock" next to the person's name, and a confirmation message will appear. Tap "Confirm" to unblock them. The change takes effect right away, and they will be able to see your profile and send you messages immediately.
What happens after you unblock someone
Once you unblock someone, they regain access to your profile and can see your posts, photos, and other information based on your privacy settings. They can send you messages, tag you in posts, and add you as a friend again. However, any messages you deleted while they were blocked will not reappear — those are gone permanently.
If you had unfriended them before blocking, they will not automatically be added back as a friend. They will need to send you a friend request, which you can accept or decline. You can block them again at any time if you change your mind.
The difference between blocking and unfriending
Blocking and unfriending are two separate actions on Facebook. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and your profile (unless you have privacy settings that hide it), but they cannot see your friends list or send you messages. When you block someone, they cannot see your profile at all, cannot message you, and cannot find you through search.
If you want to remove someone from your friends list but still allow them to see some of your content, unfriending is the right choice. If you want to prevent someone from contacting you or seeing your profile entirely, blocking is stronger. You can unblock without refriending, and you can unfriend without blocking.
If you cannot find the blocked list
The blocking section is always in Settings under "Privacy," but the exact location can shift slightly if Facebook updates its layout. If you cannot find it, try searching for "blocking" in the Settings search bar at the top of the page — this will take you directly to the right section.
If you are on a phone and the menu looks different, make sure you are using the official Facebook app, not a web browser. Some third-party apps or older versions of the app may have a different layout. Update your app to the latest version if you are having trouble finding the blocking section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know when I unblock them?
No, Facebook does not send a notification when you unblock someone. They will only know if they try to visit your profile and suddenly can see it again, or if they notice they can message you after not being able to before.
Can I unblock someone and then block them again right away?
Yes, you can block and unblock people as many times as you want. There is no waiting period or limit. However, if you block someone again, there is a waiting period before you can unblock them — usually around 48 hours.
What if I unblock someone by mistake?
You can block them again immediately by going back to Settings, finding their name in your friends list or search results, and clicking the block option. The process is the same as blocking anyone else on Facebook.
Do old messages reappear after I unblock someone?
No, messages you deleted while someone was blocked stay deleted. However, if you did not delete the messages, they will still be in your message history and the unblocked person will be able to see them if you continue the conversation.
Can a blocked person see my profile if I unblock them?
Yes, once unblocked, they can see your profile based on your privacy settings. If your profile is set to public, they can see everything. If it is set to friends only, they will need to be your friend to see most of your content.