How to see who you've blocked on Facebook
Facebook keeps a list of everyone you've blocked, and you can view it anytime. The blocked list lives in your Settings, separate from your main friend list, so blocked people won't show up when you search for them or browse your friends normally. To find who you've blocked, open Facebook on a computer or phone, go to Settings, then look for the Blocking section — this is where every person you've ever blocked appears in one place.
On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. On the left side, find Privacy, then scroll down to find Blocking. On a phone, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu), scroll to Settings and Privacy, tap Settings, then scroll down to find Blocking. Either way, you'll see a list labeled "Block users" with the name of each person you've blocked.
Key Takeaways
- Your blocked list is in Settings under Privacy, and it shows every person you've blocked on Facebook.
- Blocking someone prevents them from seeing your profile, messaging you, or finding you in search — but they won't be notified that you blocked them.
- You can unblock someone from the same list where you found them, and they'll be able to see your profile again when ready.
- If you blocked someone by accident, unblocking them restores your friendship status to what it was before the block — you won't automatically be friends again.
- Blocking is different from unfriending: blocking hides your profile from someone, while unfriending just removes them from your friends list but they can still see your public posts.
What blocking actually does on Facebook
When you block someone, they lose the ability to see your profile, send you messages, tag you in photos, or find you through search. They can't see your posts, your friend list, or your photos — essentially, your profile becomes invisible to them. However, blocking doesn't delete past conversations or remove you from groups you're both in, though they won't see your activity in those groups.
The person you blocked won't receive a notification saying you blocked them. They might figure it out if they try to visit your profile and can't, or if they notice they can no longer message you, but Facebook doesn't send them an alert. This is different from unfriending, where the other person might notice you're no longer on their friends list if they check.
Unblocking someone from your blocked list
To unblock someone, go back to your Blocking list in Settings (the same place where you found their name), find their name, and click or tap the "Unblock" button next to it. Once you unblock them, they can see your profile again and send you messages, but you won't automatically become friends. Your friendship status returns to whatever it was before you blocked them — if you were friends before blocking, you'll need to send a new friend request or they'll need to send one to you.
Unblocking happens when ready, so the person can start viewing your profile right away. There's no waiting period or confirmation step. If you unblock someone by accident, you can block them again just as quickly by visiting their profile and selecting Block from the menu.
Finding someone you blocked if you don't remember their name
If you blocked someone but can't remember their full name, scroll through your Blocking list slowly — it shows everyone you've blocked in one place, so you can look through the names until you find the person. The list doesn't sort alphabetically, so you may need to scroll past several names. If the list is very long, try to remember any detail about them: their first name, last name, or when you blocked them, which can help you scan faster.
If you still can't find them and you remember they were in a group with you or tagged in a photo, you can check those places. Go to a group you were both in or find a photo they were tagged in before you blocked them — their name might still appear there, and you can click it to see if it's the right person. Once you confirm, you can unblock them from their profile by clicking the menu and selecting Unblock.
Blocking versus unfriending: which one to use
Blocking and unfriending do different things. Unfriending removes someone from your friends list, but they can still see your public posts and visit your profile if your privacy settings allow it. Blocking hides your entire profile from them — they can't see anything you post, public or private. If you want to end a friendship but don't mind them seeing your public posts, unfriend them. If you want to completely hide your activity from someone, block them.
You can also block someone without unfriending them first — blocking automatically removes the friendship, so you don't need to unfriend separately. If you unblock someone later, you'll need to send a new friend request if you want to be friends again.
What happens to old messages and tags when you block someone
Messages you sent to someone before you blocked them stay in your message history — blocking doesn't delete past conversations. However, the blocked person can't send you new messages or reply to old ones. If they try to message you, the message won't go through. Photos they tagged you in before the block stay tagged with your name, but they won't be able to tag you in new photos.
If you were both in a group or event before you blocked them, you'll both still appear as members, but they won't see your posts or activity in that group. Comments you made before the block might still be visible to them in some cases, depending on the group's privacy settings, but you won't see their activity either.
Blocking on Facebook versus other platforms
Blocking on Facebook works the same way across the main Facebook app, Facebook.com on a computer, and Facebook Messenger. If you block someone in Messenger, they're blocked on Facebook too — it's one block across all Facebook services. However, blocking someone on Facebook doesn't block them on Instagram or WhatsApp, which are separate platforms owned by the same company. You'll need to block them separately on each app if you want to block them everywhere.
Your blocked list is private — other people can't see who you've blocked. Only you can view your Blocking list in Settings. This means you can block someone without them knowing (unless they figure it out by trying to contact you), and no one else will know about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Facebook doesn't notify them, but they might figure it out if they try to visit your profile and can't, or if messages to you stop going through. They won't see a notification saying you blocked them, and your name won't disappear from their friends list when ready — it just stops working when they try to click on it.
If I unblock someone, will they know?
No, Facebook doesn't notify them when you unblock them. They'll only know if they try to visit your profile again and suddenly can, or if you send them a message. Unblocking is silent on your end.
Can I block someone without them seeing that I unfriended them first?
Yes. Blocking automatically removes the friendship, so they won't see a separate unfriend notification. They'll just notice they can't access your profile anymore if they try.
What if I blocked someone years ago and forgot why?
Your Blocking list shows everyone you've blocked, but it doesn't show the reason why. You can unblock them if you want to give them another chance, or leave them blocked. There's no record of why you blocked them, so you'll need to remember or make a new decision based on what you know now.
Does blocking someone on Facebook block them on Messenger too?
Yes, blocking on Facebook blocks them in Messenger as well — it's one block across both apps. They won't be able to send you messages or see when you're active. However, if you only want to block them in Messenger and not on Facebook, you can mute them instead, which hides their messages without a full block.