What blocking does and doesn't do
When you block someone on Facebook, that person can no longer see your profile, send you messages, find you in search results, or see your posts and comments anywhere on the platform. They cannot tag you in photos or add you as a friend. If you were already friends, blocking removes that connection.
Blocking is different from unfriending. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and search for your profile — you just won't see their updates in your feed. Blocking is the stronger action: it hides you from them almost entirely on Facebook.
The person you block will not receive a notification that you blocked them. However, if they search for your name or try to visit your profile, they will see a message saying the profile is not available. They may figure out what happened, but Facebook does not announce it.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking prevents someone from seeing your profile, posts, messages, and friend list on Facebook.
- You can block someone in two ways: from their profile or from your settings, depending on what you're viewing.
- The person you block will not be notified, but they may notice they cannot find your profile.
- You can unblock someone later if you change your mind, and blocking does not delete past messages or comments.
How to block someone from their profile
The quickest way to block someone is to go to their Facebook profile and use the menu there. Open Facebook and search for the person's name, or find them through your friends list or a past conversation. Click on their profile to open it.
Once you are on their profile, look for the three dots (•••) in the top right corner of their profile header, next to the "Message" button or "Add Friend" button. Click those three dots. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Block" from that menu. Facebook will ask you to confirm — click "Block" again to finish.
After you block someone, their profile will no longer be visible to you, and you will not see their posts or comments anywhere on Facebook. If you visit their profile by accident through a link, you will see a message saying the profile is not available.
How to block someone from your settings
If you cannot find the person's profile or prefer to manage blocks from one place, you can block someone through your Facebook settings. Click the downward arrow in the top right corner of your Facebook page (next to your profile picture). Select "Settings and privacy," then click "Settings."
On the left side of the settings page, scroll down and click "Blocking." You will see a section labeled "Block users." Type the person's name into the text box and click "Block" next to their name when it appears. Confirm the block when Facebook asks you to.
This method is useful if you want to block someone you do not have straightforward access to through search, or if you want to review all the people you have blocked in one place. Your blocking list is private — other people cannot see who you have blocked.
What happens to messages and past interactions
Blocking someone does not delete messages you have already exchanged with them. Those conversations remain in your message history, and you can still read them. However, the blocked person cannot send you new messages, and you cannot message them either.
Comments the blocked person made on your posts before you blocked them will still be visible on your profile, but they will not be able to see your new posts or comments you make on other people's pages. If you want to remove their old comments from your posts, you can delete them manually.
If the blocked person was tagged in photos with you, those tags remain, but they will not be able to see the photos or the tags. You can remove their tags if you want to.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind about blocking someone, you can unblock them at any time. Go back to your settings by clicking the downward arrow in the top right corner, then select "Settings and privacy" and "Settings." Click "Blocking" on the left side.
Find the person's name in your blocked users list and click "Unblock" next to their name. Confirm when Facebook asks you to. Once you unblock someone, they can see your profile and send you messages again, but you will not automatically become friends.
Unblocking does not restore deleted messages or undo any changes you made while the person was blocked. It straightforward removes the block and allows normal interaction again.
Blocking on mobile devices
The steps are similar on Facebook's mobile app for iPhone or Android. Open the app and search for the person's profile or find them in your messages. Tap their profile to open it. Look for the three dots (•••) at the top of their profile and tap them. Select "Block" from the menu and confirm.
To manage blocks from your phone, tap the three horizontal lines (≡) at the bottom right of the screen, scroll down to "Settings and privacy," and tap "Settings." Scroll down and tap "Blocking," then type the person's name in the "Block users" box and tap "Block."
When blocking might not be enough
Blocking prevents someone from seeing your Facebook profile, but it does not stop them from contacting you through other means — text, email, phone, or other social media platforms. If someone is harassing you, blocking on Facebook alone may not solve the problem.
If someone is threatening you or harassing you repeatedly, you can also report them to Facebook. Go to their profile, click the three dots, and select "Report." You can also contact local law enforcement if the behavior is threatening or illegal.
If you are being harassed by someone you know, consider whether you want to block them on other platforms as well, or whether you need to take steps outside of social media to stay safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
Facebook does not send a notification, but they may figure it out if they try to find your profile and cannot. They will see a message saying your profile is not available. You can block someone without them knowing when ready, but they may realize it over time.
Can I block someone without unfriending them first?
No — blocking automatically removes the friendship. You do not need to unfriend them separately. If you want to stay friends but just hide their posts, unfriending is a better option than blocking.
What if someone blocks me?
You will not receive a notification, but you will not be able to see their profile, send them messages, or find them in search. If you try to visit their profile through a link, you will see a message saying it is not available. You can ask a mutual friend if you are unsure whether you have been blocked.
Can I block someone and then message them later?
No — while someone is blocked, you cannot message them and they cannot message you. You would need to unblock them first. Once unblocked, you can message them normally, but they will not see any messages you tried to send while they were blocked.
Does blocking hide my past comments on their posts?
No — comments you made on their posts before blocking remain visible to them and to other people. Blocking only prevents future interactions. If you want to remove a past comment, you can delete it manually from your activity history.