Blocking stops someone from contacting you and seeing your profile
When you block someone on Messenger, they cannot send you messages, see when you are online, or view your profile picture and status. The block works across both Messenger and Facebook itself. They will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they will notice they cannot message you or find your profile the way they used to.
Blocking is permanent until you choose to unblock. The person stays blocked even if they try to contact you through a different account or ask a mutual friend to pass along a message. If you change your mind later, you can unblock them at any time.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on Messenger prevents them from sending you messages, seeing your online status, or viewing your profile.
- You can block someone directly from a conversation or from their profile, and the process takes less than one minute.
- A blocked person will not see a notification, but they will realize they cannot reach you when their messages fail to send.
- You can unblock someone later from your blocked list if you decide to restore contact.
- Blocking is different from muting — muting silences notifications while the person can still message you.
How to block someone from an open conversation
Open the conversation with the person you want to block. At the top of the chat window, look for the person's name. On mobile, tap the name at the top. On a computer, click the information icon (a small circle with an "i") next to their name.
Scroll down in the menu that appears until you see the option that says "Block." Tap or click it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure — confirm the block. The conversation will remain in your message list, but you will not receive any new messages from them, and they will not see your replies if you send any.
How to block someone from their profile
Go to the person's Facebook profile or search for them by name in Messenger. On their profile, look for the three dots (the menu icon) in the top right corner. Click or tap those dots.
A menu will drop down with several options. Select "Block" from the list. Confirm when asked. This method works the same way as blocking from a conversation — the person will be blocked across both Messenger and Facebook.
What happens after you block someone
The blocked person cannot send you new messages. If they try, the message will appear to send on their end, but it will never reach you. They cannot see your profile, your friends list, or your posts. They cannot see when you are online or whether you have read their messages.
Any old messages from before the block will still be in your conversation history, but you can delete them if you want. The person will not know exactly when you blocked them, but they will figure it out when their messages stop going through and they cannot find your profile.
The difference between blocking and muting
Muting is not the same as blocking. When you mute someone, they can still message you, but you will not get notifications about their messages. You can read them whenever you want, and they will not know you muted them. Muting is useful when someone is not bothering you but you do not want constant alerts.
Blocking cuts off contact completely. The person cannot reach you at all. Use blocking when you want to stop someone from contacting you entirely. Use muting when you want to stay in touch but reduce how often you hear from them.
How to unblock someone later
Open Messenger and tap the profile icon (your picture) in the bottom right corner on mobile, or click the menu icon on a computer. Look for "Settings & Privacy" and then "Settings." Scroll down to find "Blocked People" or "Blocked Accounts."
You will see a list of everyone you have blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and tap or click the "Unblock" button next to their name. Confirm when asked. Once you unblock them, they can message you again and see your profile the way they did before.
What to do if someone keeps trying to contact you
If someone contacts you through a different account after you block them, block that account too. If they message you through another platform or ask mutual friends to relay messages, those are separate issues that blocking Messenger alone will not solve.
If the contact feels threatening or harassing, take screenshots of the messages and report them to Facebook. Use the report button in the conversation or on their profile. Facebook can take action against accounts that harass other users, including temporary suspension or permanent removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
They will not get a notification, but they will realize it when their messages stop going through and they cannot find your profile. There is no way to block someone without them eventually noticing.
Can I block someone without deleting our conversation?
Yes. The conversation stays in your message list after you block them. You can read old messages whenever you want, but you will not receive new ones from them.
What if I block someone by accident?
Go to your blocked list in Settings, find their name, and tap "Unblock." They will be unblocked when ready and can message you again. There is no penalty for unblocking someone.
Can a blocked person see messages I sent before blocking them?
Yes. Blocking only stops new messages from reaching them. Any messages you sent before the block will still be in their conversation history, and they can read them anytime.
Does blocking on Messenger also block them on Facebook?
Yes. When you block someone on Messenger, the block applies to their Facebook account as well. They cannot message you, see your profile, or interact with your posts on either platform.