Blocking stops messages and calls from reaching you
When you block someone in Facebook Messenger, they cannot send you messages, see when you are online, or call you through the app. The block is one-way — they will not be notified that you blocked them, but if they try to message you, they will see that their message was not delivered. On their end, your profile will appear as if it no longer exists in their contacts.
Blocking in Messenger is separate from blocking on Facebook itself. You can block someone in Messenger only, on Facebook only, or on both platforms. Most people block on both to prevent contact across the entire service.
Key Takeaways
- Open the conversation with the person you want to block, tap their name at the top, scroll down, and select "Block" — the process takes about 10 seconds.
- A blocked person cannot message you, call you, or see your online status, but they are not told you blocked them.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to your Messenger settings, finding them in your blocked list, and tapping "Unblock".
- Blocking in Messenger does not automatically block them on Facebook — you may need to block them separately on the main platform if you want to prevent them from seeing your profile.
- Old messages from a blocked person remain in your chat history but they cannot send new ones.
How to block someone on your phone
Open Facebook Messenger and find the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap their name or profile picture at the top of the chat. Scroll down until you see the "Block" option and tap it. A confirmation message will appear asking if you are sure — tap "Block" again to confirm.
Once blocked, that conversation will remain in your message list but they will not be able to send you new messages. If you want to remove the conversation from your view entirely, you can swipe left on it (on iPhone) or long-press it (on Android) and select "Delete Chat".
How to block someone on your computer
Go to Messenger.com or open Messenger through Facebook.com. Click on the conversation with the person you want to block. Click their name at the top right of the chat window. Scroll down in the panel that opens and click "Block". Confirm the action when prompted.
The block takes effect when ready. You will not see new messages from them, and they will not be able to see that you are online or call you.
What happens when you block someone
A blocked person cannot send you messages in Messenger, call you through the app, or see your active status (the green dot that shows you are online). If they search for you on Facebook or Messenger, your profile will not appear in their results. Any group chats you are both in will still exist, but they will not be able to message you directly.
Messages they sent before you blocked them will still be visible in your chat history. You can read old conversations, but they cannot send new ones. If you delete the conversation, the old messages disappear from your view, but the block remains in place.
How to unblock someone
Open Messenger and tap the profile icon (your picture) at the bottom right. Go to "Settings & Privacy" and then "Settings". Scroll down and tap "Blocked People". Find the person you want to unblock and tap "Unblock" next to their name. Confirm when prompted.
On a computer, click your profile picture in the top left of Messenger, select "Settings", then "Blocked People". Find the person and click "Unblock".
Once you unblock someone, they can message you again and see your online status. They will not be notified that you unblocked them.
Blocking on Facebook versus blocking in Messenger
Blocking someone in Messenger only prevents them from contacting you through the app, but they can still see your Facebook profile, posts, and comments. If you want to prevent them from seeing your profile entirely, you need to block them on Facebook as well.
To block someone on Facebook (not just Messenger), go to their profile, click the three dots in the top right, and select "Block". This is a separate action from blocking in Messenger. Some people block on both platforms, while others block only in Messenger if they want to remain connected on Facebook but avoid direct messages.
What to do if someone keeps trying to contact you
If someone creates a new account to message you after you block them, you can block the new account the same way. If the harassment continues, you can report the person to Facebook. Open the conversation, tap their name, scroll down, and select "Report". Choose the reason (such as harassment or spam) and submit the report.
Facebook reviews reports and may take action against accounts that violate their policies. Repeated attempts to contact someone after being blocked can result in account suspension or removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
They are not notified directly, but they may figure it out if they try to message you and see that their message was not delivered. If they search for you and cannot find your profile, they may suspect a block. However, Facebook does not send a notification saying "You have been blocked."
Will they see old messages after I block them?
No. Once you block someone, they cannot see your old messages or the conversation history. The chat disappears from their view. However, you can still see the old messages on your end unless you delete the conversation.
Can I block someone without them knowing?
Yes. Blocking is silent — no notification is sent. They will only know if they try to contact you and the message fails, or if they notice they cannot find your profile.
What if I block someone by accident?
You can unblock them when ready by going to your blocked list in settings and tapping "Unblock" next to their name. They will not be notified that you unblocked them, and they can message you again right away.
Does blocking in Messenger also block them on Facebook?
No. Blocking in Messenger only stops them from contacting you through the app. They can still see your Facebook profile, posts, and comments. If you want to block them on Facebook as well, you need to do that separately on your Facebook profile.