Finding your blocked list on Facebook

You can see everyone you've blocked on Facebook by going to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, then Blocking. Facebook shows you a list called "Block users" with the names or profiles of every person you've prevented from contacting you, seeing your posts, or finding your profile. The list stays in one place, and you can unblock anyone from there whenever you want.

The steps are the same whether you use Facebook on a computer or the mobile app. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (called a menu) in the bottom right corner, scroll down to Settings & Privacy, tap Settings, then search for "blocking" in the search box at the top. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right, select Settings & Privacy, then Settings, and look for Blocking in the left sidebar.

Your blocked list is private. Other people cannot see who you have blocked, and blocked people cannot see that they are on your list. They straightforward cannot message you, see your profile, or interact with your posts.

Key Takeaways

  • Your blocked list is in Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking on both the Facebook app and website.
  • You can see the full names or profile information of everyone you have blocked in one searchable list.
  • Blocked people cannot see that you blocked them, and your block list is invisible to everyone else.
  • You can unblock someone at any time from the same Blocking page by clicking "Unblock" next to their name.
  • Blocking someone removes them from your friends list, hides your past messages, and prevents them from finding your profile through search.

What happens when you block someone

When you block a person on Facebook, several things happen when ready. They are removed from your friends list if they were already your friend. Any messages you sent them before the block remain in your own message history, but they cannot see those messages or send you new ones. If they try to visit your profile, they will see a message saying the profile is not available, without being told they were blocked.

Blocked people also cannot see your posts, comments, or photos, even if they are shared publicly. They cannot tag you in photos or posts. They cannot find your profile by searching your name. However, if you comment on a mutual friend's public post, a blocked person can still see that comment — they just cannot click on your name or profile to view your page.

Unblocking someone from your list

To unblock someone, go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking and find their name in the "Block users" list. Click or tap "Unblock" next to their name. Facebook will ask you to confirm that you want to unblock them. Once you confirm, they are unblocked when ready.

Unblocking someone does not automatically add them back to your friends list. They will be able to send you a friend request again, message you, and see your profile, but you will not be friends until one of you sends a request and the other accepts it. If you unblock someone by mistake, you can block them again right away.

Searching your blocked list if it is long

If you have blocked many people, Facebook lets you search your blocked list instead of scrolling through all the names. On the Blocking page, there is a search box at the top. Type the person's name, username, or email address, and Facebook will show you only the results that match. This is useful if you are trying to remember whether you blocked a specific person or if you want to unblock someone without looking through a long list.

The search works with partial names too. If you type "Sarah," you will see everyone named Sarah that you have blocked. If you cannot remember the exact spelling of someone's name, try typing the first few letters.

Blocking versus other privacy controls

Blocking is the strongest privacy tool Facebook offers, but it is different from unfriending, muting, or restricting someone. When you unfriend someone, they can still see your public posts and send you messages, but you are no longer friends. When you mute someone, you remain friends but their posts stop appearing in your feed. When you restrict someone, they can see only your public posts and cannot message you, but they do not know they are restricted.

Blocking is permanent and obvious to you (they cannot contact you at all), while restricting is quiet and partial (they can still see public content). Choose blocking if you want no contact with someone. Choose restricting or muting if you want to limit what you see or what they see without a hard break.

What blocked people might notice

A blocked person will notice they cannot find your profile when they search for you. If they try to visit a link to your profile that they saved before, they will see an error message. They cannot see your friends list, photos, or posts. If they try to message you, the message will not go through, though Facebook does not always tell them why the message failed.

Some blocked people figure out they were blocked because they cannot find the person's profile anymore, or because a message they tried to send disappeared. Others may not notice at all, especially if you were not in regular contact. Facebook does not send a notification saying "you have been blocked."

Keeping your block list organized

Your blocked list has no limit, so you can block as many people as you need to. However, there is no way to organize blocked people into categories or add notes about why you blocked them. If you want to remember why you blocked someone, write it down separately or take a screenshot of the name before you block them.

Review your blocked list occasionally if you have blocked many people over time. Some people block others during arguments and later want to unblock them. Others block people and forget about it. Checking your list every few months helps you decide whether anyone should be unblocked or whether your blocks are still necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see if someone blocked me?

Not directly. Facebook does not tell you when someone blocks you. However, you can check by searching for their profile — if you cannot find it and you know the exact spelling of their name, they may have blocked you or deactivated their account. You can also try visiting an old message thread with them; if the profile link is broken, blocking is one possibility.

If I unblock someone, will they know?

No. Facebook does not notify someone when you unblock them. They will only know if they try to find your profile and suddenly can, or if you send them a message or friend request. Unblocking is silent.

What if I blocked someone by mistake?

Go back to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking, find their name, and click "Unblock." You can unblock them when ready, and they will be able to contact you and see your profile again. There is no penalty for unblocking someone.

Does blocking someone delete our message history?

Your messages with them stay in your message history, and you can still read them. However, the blocked person cannot see those messages, and you cannot send them new ones. If you unblock them later, the old messages will be visible to both of you again.

Can I block someone without them being my friend?

Yes. You can block anyone on Facebook, whether they are your friend or not. Blocking a non-friend prevents them from sending you messages, finding your profile, or seeing your posts. You do not have to be friends with someone to block them.