Blocking stops a person from contacting you and seeing your activity
When you block someone in Messenger, they cannot send you messages, see when you are online, or view your profile picture and status. The block is one-way — they will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but if they try to message you, they will see that the message was not delivered. On your end, their old messages stay in your chat history unless you delete the conversation, but no new messages from them will come through.
Blocking is different from muting or ignoring a chat. Muting silences notifications from someone but they can still reach you. Blocking cuts off contact entirely. If you think you might want to hear from this person again later, consider muting instead. If you are certain you do not want any contact, blocking is the right choice.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone in Messenger prevents them from sending you messages and seeing your online status, but they will not receive a notification that you blocked them.
- You can block someone from an open conversation, from the chat list, or from their profile — the steps differ slightly depending on where you start.
- Blocked messages stay in your chat history unless you delete the conversation, and you can unblock someone at any time if you change your mind.
- Blocking in Messenger does not block them on Facebook itself — you may need to block them there separately if you want to prevent contact across both platforms.
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. Tap or click on it to open their profile card or info panel. You will see options including "Block" — select it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure. Confirm, and the block is active when ready.
On mobile, the profile name appears at the very top of the conversation. On desktop, it is also at the top of the chat window. The exact location of the block button varies slightly between the Messenger app and the web version, but it is always in the person's profile section, not in the chat settings.
How to block someone from your chat list
If you do not want to open the conversation first, you can block directly from the list of all your chats. Long-press (on mobile) or right-click (on desktop) on the conversation with the person you want to block. A menu will appear with options including "Block." Select it and confirm. The conversation will remain in your chat history, but no new messages from that person will arrive.
This method is faster if you have not spoken to the person in a while and do not want to reopen an old conversation. The block takes effect as soon as you confirm, and you will see the chat list update.
How to block someone from their Facebook profile
You can also block someone through their Facebook profile rather than through Messenger. Go to their profile, tap or click the three-dot menu button, and select "Block." This blocks them on both Facebook and Messenger at the same time. If you only block them in Messenger, they can still see your Facebook profile and send you friend requests, so blocking from their profile is more complete if you want no contact across both platforms.
Keep in mind that blocking someone on Facebook is visible to them in a way that Messenger blocking is not — if they try to visit your profile or search for you, they will see that you have blocked them. Messenger blocking is quieter.
What happens after you block someone
Once blocked, the person cannot send you new messages in Messenger. If they try, they will see an error saying the message was not delivered. They cannot see your profile picture, status, or when you are online. They also cannot add you to group chats or see any updates you post to your story.
On your side, their old messages stay in your chat history. You can still read what they sent before you blocked them. If you want to remove all trace of the conversation, you can delete the chat entirely — swipe left on mobile or right-click on desktop and select "Delete Chat." Deleting the chat is separate from blocking and is optional.
How to unblock someone if you change your mind
Blocking is not permanent. Go to your Messenger settings, select "People," and look for "Blocked." You will see a list of everyone you have blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and tap or click "Unblock." They will not be notified that you unblocked them, and you will not automatically see their old messages again — you will only receive new messages from them going forward.
If you want to restore the full conversation history, you can search for their name in your chat list after unblocking. The old chat may reappear, or you may need to start a new conversation. Either way, unblocking is quick and reversible.
Blocking on Messenger versus blocking on Facebook
Messenger and Facebook are linked but separate. Blocking someone in Messenger only blocks them in the Messenger app — they can still message you through Facebook's main chat feature if you have not blocked them there. Blocking someone on Facebook blocks them everywhere: Messenger, chat, profile, and search.
If you want to block someone completely, block them on Facebook itself rather than just in Messenger. If you only want to stop Messenger notifications but are okay with them seeing your Facebook profile, block in Messenger alone. Most people who want no contact choose to block on Facebook, which is the more thorough option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
They will not receive a notification saying you blocked them. However, if they try to message you and the message fails to send, they may figure it out. Blocking in Messenger is quieter than blocking on Facebook, where they can see the block directly if they visit your profile.
Can I block someone and still see their old messages?
Yes. Old messages from before you blocked them stay in your chat history. You can read them anytime. If you want to remove them, you can delete the entire conversation separately — blocking and deleting are two different actions.
What if I block someone by mistake?
Go to Messenger settings, select "People," then "Blocked," find their name, and tap "Unblock." They will not be notified. You can unblock and reblock as many times as you need.
Does blocking someone in Messenger also block them on Facebook?
No. Blocking in Messenger only affects Messenger. They can still see your Facebook profile, send you friend requests, and message you through Facebook chat. To block them everywhere, block them on Facebook itself, which automatically blocks them in Messenger too.
Can a blocked person see my profile picture or status?
No. Once blocked, they cannot see your profile picture, status, or when you are online. They also cannot see your story or any new posts you make. Their view of you becomes very limited.