What blocking on Messenger does
When you block someone on Facebook Messenger, they can no longer send you messages, see when you are online, or access your profile from Facebook. The block applies across both Messenger and Facebook itself — it is a single action that covers both platforms.
The person you block will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they will notice they cannot message you or find your profile when they search. If they try to send you a message, they will see an error saying the message could not be delivered. Blocking is different from muting: a muted conversation still lets the person message you, but you will not see notifications from them.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on Messenger prevents them from sending you messages, seeing your online status, or viewing your profile across Facebook and Messenger.
- You can block someone directly from a Messenger conversation by opening the chat, tapping their name, and selecting the block option.
- A blocked person will not be notified, but they will see an error when they try to message you or search for your profile.
- You can unblock someone at any time through your Facebook settings, and they will then be able to message you again.
How to block someone from an open Messenger conversation
Open the Messenger app or go to Messenger.com in your browser. Find the conversation with the person you want to block and open it.
On mobile: Tap the person's name at the top of the conversation. Scroll down and tap Block. A confirmation screen will appear — tap Block again to confirm. The conversation will disappear from your inbox when ready.
On a computer: Click the person's name or profile picture at the top of the conversation. A panel will open on the right side. Scroll down to find Block and click it. Confirm the block when prompted.
How to block someone you have not messaged recently
If you do not have an active conversation with the person, you can still block them through Facebook itself. Go to their Facebook profile, click the three dots (more options) near the top right of their profile, and select Block. This will block them on both Facebook and Messenger.
Alternatively, you can block someone through your Facebook privacy settings. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Privacy in the left menu, then Blocking. Type the person's name in the "Block people" field and click their profile when it appears. Click Block to confirm.
What happens after you block someone
Once you block someone, all previous messages between you remain in your Messenger archive, but you will not see new messages from them. If you had a group chat with this person, they will still be in the group, but they cannot message you directly.
The blocked person can no longer see your profile picture, your status, or when you are online. They cannot tag you in photos or posts. If they search for you by name, your profile will not appear in their results. However, they may still see your comments or reactions on mutual friends' posts if those posts are public.
How to unblock someone
You can unblock someone at any time. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Click Privacy, then Blocking. Find the person's name in your blocked list and click Unblock next to their name.
Once you unblock someone, they can message you again and see your profile. However, unblocking does not automatically restore old conversations — you will only see new messages sent after you unblock them. The person will not be notified that you unblocked them.
Blocking versus other privacy options
Blocking is the strongest privacy action, but Messenger offers other options depending on what you need. Muting a conversation silences notifications but lets the person continue messaging you — you just will not see their messages pop up. Restricting someone limits what they can see on your profile but does not prevent them from messaging you. Ignoring a message moves it to a separate folder so you do not see it in your main inbox, but the person can still send more.
Use blocking when you want complete separation from someone. Use muting if you want to stay connected but reduce notifications. Use restricting if you want to limit what someone sees without cutting off contact entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
They will not receive a notification, but they will realize it when they try to message you and see an error, or when they search for your profile and cannot find it. There is no way to block someone without them eventually noticing.
Can I block someone in a group chat?
Yes. Blocking someone removes them from your direct messages and prevents them from messaging you one-on-one, but they will remain in any group chats you are both part of. You will not see their messages in the group, and they cannot message you privately.
What if I block someone by mistake?
Go to Settings, then Privacy, then Blocking, and find their name in your blocked list. Click Unblock next to their name. They will be able to message you again when ready, and you will see any new messages they send after you unblock them.
Can someone I blocked still see my old messages to them?
Yes. Blocking only stops future communication. Any messages you sent before blocking them will still be in their conversation history. If you want to remove old messages, you would need to delete them individually before blocking.
Does blocking on Messenger also block them on Facebook?
Yes. Blocking on Messenger automatically blocks them on Facebook as well. They cannot see your profile, message you, or interact with your posts across both platforms.