Cancel a friend request you sent
To cancel a friend request you sent to someone, go to their profile, look for the button that says "Cancel Request" or "Pending", and click it. The request disappears when ready, and the other person will not receive a notification that you cancelled it. You can send them a new request later if you change your mind.
If you cannot find their profile, use the search bar at the top of Facebook and type their name. Once you are on their profile page, the pending request button should appear near the top, usually where an "Add Friend" button would normally be. The exact location depends on whether you are using Facebook on a computer or phone, but the button is always visible on their profile.
Cancelling a request is different from blocking or unfriending someone — it straightforward removes the request you sent and returns you both to the state where you were not connected. The person can still see your profile if it is set to public, and they can send you a friend request themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Click "Cancel Request" or "Pending" on someone's profile to remove a friend request you sent, and they will not be notified.
- Use the Facebook search bar to find the person's profile if you cannot locate them through your sent requests.
- Cancelling a request is not the same as blocking or unfriending — it straightforward removes the pending connection.
- You can send a new friend request to the same person at any time after you cancel the first one.
- If someone sent you a request and you want to decline it, click "Decline" instead of "Cancel Request".
Find pending requests you have sent
If you are not sure whether you sent a request to someone, you can view all your pending requests in one place. On a computer, click the friends icon (two people) at the top of Facebook, then select "Friend Requests". Scroll down to find the section labeled "Sent Requests" — this shows everyone you have requested but who has not yet accepted.
On a phone or tablet, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, scroll down to "Friends", then tap "Friend Requests". You may need to scroll or swipe to see the "Sent Requests" tab. From this list, you can cancel any request by tapping the "Cancel Request" button next to that person's name.
This view is useful if you sent requests to several people and forgot who they were, or if you want to clean up old requests before sending new ones. Facebook does not show you how long a request has been pending, but you can cancel any of them without consequences.
Decline a friend request someone sent to you
If someone sent you a friend request and you want to turn it down, the process is similar but uses a different button. Go to your Friend Requests (the same place where you view sent requests), and you will see a section for requests other people sent to you. Click or tap "Decline" next to their name, and the request disappears.
When you decline a request, the other person does not receive a notification that you declined it — they straightforward will not see you as a friend. They can send you another request later, and you can change your mind and accept a request you previously declined by going back to your Friend Requests and clicking "Confirm" if the request is still there.
If you want to prevent someone from sending you requests in the future, you can block them instead of just declining. Blocking is a stronger action and prevents them from seeing your profile, messaging you, or sending requests. You can find the block option on their profile or in your privacy settings.
What happens after you cancel a request
Once you cancel a friend request, the other person will not see a notification about it. They will straightforward notice that your request is no longer in their Friend Requests list. If they check your profile, they will see an "Add Friend" button again instead of a "Pending" or "Respond" button.
Cancelling a request does not affect your ability to interact with the person on Facebook. If their profile is public, you can still see their posts, comment on them, or send them a message (depending on their message settings). You can also send them a new friend request whenever you want.
If you are worried about why you cancelled the request, remember that Facebook does not tell the other person you cancelled it. There is no record they can see, and no awkward explanation needed. You can straightforward send a new request later if circumstances change.
Cancel requests on mobile devices
The steps on a phone or tablet are slightly different because the layout is more compact. Open Facebook and tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right of the screen. Scroll down and tap "Friends", then look for "Friend Requests" at the top of the page.
You should see tabs or options to view requests sent to you and requests you sent. Tap "Sent Requests" to see the list of people you have requested. Next to each person's name, tap "Cancel Request" to remove it. On some versions of Facebook, you may need to swipe left on the person's name to reveal the cancel button.
If the button does not appear, try refreshing the page by pulling down at the top of the screen and releasing. If you are still having trouble, make sure you are using the latest version of the Facebook app — older versions sometimes have different layouts or missing features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I cancelled my friend request?
No. Facebook does not send a notification when you cancel a request. The person will straightforward see that your request is no longer in their Friend Requests list. There is no way for them to know you cancelled it unless you tell them.
Can I cancel a request I sent a long time ago?
Yes. You can cancel any pending request, no matter how long ago you sent it. Go to your sent requests and click "Cancel Request" next to their name. The request will be removed when ready.
What is the difference between cancelling and declining a request?
Cancelling is what you do to a request you sent. Declining is what you do to a request someone else sent to you. Both remove the request, but they explore to different directions of the connection.
Can I send a new request after I cancel one?
Yes. Once you cancel a request, you can send a new one to the same person at any time. There is no waiting period or limit on how many times you can request the same person.
If I decline someone's request, can they send me another one?
Yes, they can send you another request after you decline. If you want to prevent them from sending requests, you need to block them instead. Blocking is stronger than declining and prevents them from seeing your profile or contacting you.