Where to find your blocked list on Facebook
Your blocked list is in Facebook Settings under Privacy. On a computer, click the downward arrow in the top right corner, select Settings and Privacy, then Settings. Scroll down the left menu to Privacy, then click Blocking. On a phone or tablet, tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon), scroll down to Settings and Privacy, tap Settings, then scroll to Privacy and tap Blocking.
The Blocking section shows everyone you have blocked on Facebook. The list displays their name or profile name, and you can unblock anyone from this same page by clicking or tapping Unblock next to their name. Facebook does not show you when someone tries to contact you after you have blocked them — the block straightforward prevents them from seeing your profile, posts, or messages.
Key Takeaways
- Your blocked list lives in Settings and Privacy under the Privacy section, accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
- Blocking prevents someone from seeing your profile, posts, and messages, but Facebook does not notify you if they try to contact you.
- You can unblock anyone directly from your blocked list at any time.
- Blocking is different from unfriending or muting — a blocked person cannot find your profile or see your activity at all.
- If you block someone who is in a group with you, you can still both be members, but they cannot see your posts in that group.
What blocking actually prevents
When you block someone on Facebook, they cannot see your profile when they search for you, cannot see your posts or comments on other people's pages, and cannot send you messages or friend requests. If you were already friends, blocking also removes them from your friends list. However, blocking does not hide your past comments on their posts or in shared groups — those remain visible unless you delete them individually.
A blocked person can still see posts you made before the block if they were shared publicly or in a group you both belong to. They straightforward cannot access your profile directly or see new activity. If you want to hide specific posts from someone while staying connected, muting or adjusting post privacy settings is a better choice than blocking.
The difference between blocking, unfriending, and muting
Blocking is the strongest action — it cuts off all contact and visibility. Unfriending removes someone from your friends list but they can still see your public posts and send you messages unless you also block them. Muting hides someone's posts from your feed without removing them as a friend or notifying them that you muted them.
Choose blocking if you want no contact or visibility with someone. Choose unfriending if you want to end the friendship but do not mind them seeing your public posts. Choose muting if you want to stay friends but do not want to see their posts in your feed. You can change your mind about any of these actions at any time.
How to unblock someone
Open your blocked list by going to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Privacy, then Blocking. Find the person's name in the list and click or tap Unblock next to their name. Confirm the action when Facebook asks you to confirm. Once you unblock someone, they can see your profile and send you friend requests again, but you will not automatically become friends.
Unblocking does not restore old messages or friend connections. If you were friends before blocking, you will need to send a new friend request or wait for them to send one. There is no time limit on how long someone can stay blocked — you can unblock them when ready or years later.
What happens when you block someone in a group
If you and a blocked person are both members of the same Facebook group, you remain members but cannot interact. They will not see your posts or comments in the group, and you will not see theirs. If a group admin posts something, you both see it, but your responses to each other are hidden. The blocked person cannot see that you are in the group unless they look at the full member list, and even then your profile remains inaccessible to them.
If blocking someone creates a problem in a group — for example, if you need to work together on group business — you may want to consider muting instead, or leaving the group. Blocking is permanent until you unblock, so think through whether a shared group membership will cause issues.
Checking if someone has blocked you
Facebook does not tell you directly if someone has blocked you, but there are signs. If you cannot find their profile by searching their name, cannot see their posts or comments anymore, or cannot send them a message, they may have blocked you. However, these things can also happen if they deactivated their account, changed their privacy settings, or deleted their profile.
The most reliable way to check is to ask a mutual friend to search for that person's profile and tell you if it appears. If your mutual friend can see their profile but you cannot, you have likely been blocked. If no one can find their profile, they may have deactivated or deleted their account instead.
Managing your blocked list over time
Review your blocked list occasionally, especially if you blocked someone during a conflict that has since been resolved. People change, situations improve, and you may decide to unblock someone you blocked years ago. There is no penalty for unblocking — it straightforward restores normal visibility and contact options.
If you block many people, keep notes about why you blocked them so you remember later. Facebook does not provide a reason field in the blocked list, so you may forget whether you blocked someone because of harassment, a personal conflict, or a mistake. A straightforward note in your phone can help you decide whether to unblock them in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Facebook does not notify someone when you block them, but they may figure it out if they try to visit your profile and cannot find it. They will not receive a message saying "you have been blocked." If they ask you directly, you can choose whether to tell them the truth.
If I block someone and then unblock them, do we become friends again?
No. Unblocking straightforward removes the block — it does not restore your friendship. You will need to send a new friend request or wait for them to send one. Any messages you had before blocking are also not restored.
Does blocking someone delete our message history?
Blocking does not delete your past messages with that person. The messages remain in your message history, but the blocked person cannot see them or send you new ones. You can still read old messages from before the block.
Can I block someone without them knowing?
Yes. Facebook does not send a notification when you block someone. They will only know if they try to find your profile, search for you, or ask a mutual friend about you.
What if I block someone by mistake?
Go back to your blocked list and unblock them when ready. There is no waiting period — you can unblock someone right away. They will not be notified that you blocked them or unblocked them.