Blocking someone on Facebook quickly removes them from your social space, preventing them from seeing your profile, tagging you, or sending messages. But what if you change your mind and want to reconnect?
Unblocking someone on Facebook is simple and can be done from any device—whether you're using a desktop, iPhone, Android, or a mobile browser. This guide will walk you through the steps to unblock a person on Facebook and important things to consider before doing so.
What Happens When You Block and Unblock Someone on Facebook?
Before you proceed, it's important to understand how blocking and unblocking works on Facebook.
What Happens When You Block Someone?
- They cannot see your profile, posts, or comments.
- You automatically unfriend them if they are on your friend's list.
- They cannot message you on Messenger.
- You cannot tag or interact with their profile in any way.
What Happens When You Unblock Someone?
- They will be able to see your public posts and profile again.
- You will not be automatically friended—you must send a new friend request.
- They can message you again on Messenger.
- They will not receive a notification that they’ve been unblocked.
Now that you understand the impact of blocking and unblocking let's go over the steps for each device.
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook (Step-by-Step Guide)
Here’s how you can unblock someone on Facebook. We provide methods for desktop, mobile apps, and web browsers, so you can easily remove someone from your blocked list on any device.
Unblock Someone on a Desktop (Windows & Mac)
1. Open Facebook on your web browser and log in.
2. Click on your profile picture in the top-right corner.
3. Select Settings & Privacy, then click Settings.
4. In the left menu, click Blocking.
5. Find the section Blocked People and look for the person you want to unblock.
6. Click Unblock next to their name, then confirm.
Once unlocked, they can see your profile again and send you a friend request.
Unblock Someone on Facebook Mobile App (iPhone & Android)
Open the Facebook app and log in.- Tap the three horizontal lines (menu) in the top-right (Android) or bottom-right (iPhone).
- Scroll down and select Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.
- Under Audience and Visibility, tap Blocking.
- You’ll see a list of blocked users. Tap Unblock next to the person’s name.
- Confirm your action by tapping Unblock again.
The person will now have access to your profile again, but you’ll need to send them a friend request if you want to reconnect.
Unblock Someone on Facebook Using a Mobile Browser (m.facebook.com)
If you’re using a mobile browser instead of the app:
- Go to m.facebook.com and log into your account.
- Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines).
- Select Settings & Privacy, then tap Settings.
- Scroll down and select Blocking.
- Find the blocked user and tap Unblock.
- Confirm your decision.
This method works on any mobile browser like Chrome, Safari, or Edge.
Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Unblock Someone on Facebook?
Here are some common problems that may prevent you from unblocking someone and how to fix them.
1. The Person’s Account Is Deactivated
If the user deleted or deactivated their account, their profile won’t appear on your blocked list. Facebook doesn’t allow users to interact with deactivated accounts, so even if you want to unblock them, you won’t see the option until they reactivate their account.
In this case, you can do nothing except wait. If they restore their profile later, they will automatically remain unblocked unless you block them again.
2. You Blocked Them Again Too Soon
Facebook has a 48-hour waiting period between unblocking and re-blocking the same person. If you recently unblocked someone, you won’t be able to block them again right away.
If you cannot re-block someone, wait two days and try again. In the meantime, you can restrict their access to your profile by adjusting your privacy settings.
3. You Can’t Find the Blocked List
Sometimes, users look in the wrong place for their blocked contacts. Make sure you:
- Go to Settings > Blocking in the Facebook app or website.
- Ensure you’re logged into the correct account (if you manage multiple accounts).
- Switch to desktop mode for full settings access if using a mobile browser.
If you still can’t find the blocked list, try logging out and back in or clearing your browser’s cache to refresh the settings.
Privacy Settings After Unblocking Someone
Once you unblock someone, they won’t be automatically refriended, but they can see your profile and interact with public posts. If you want to limit what they see without blocking them again, consider adjusting your privacy settings:
- Restrict Their Profile Access: Instead of blocking, add them to your Restricted List (they will only see public posts).
- Limit Past Posts: Go to Settings > Privacy > Limit Past Posts to prevent them from seeing old updates.
- Adjust Future Post Settings: Change the audience of new posts to Friends Only or Custom Lists.
This way, you can control who sees your content without blocking and unblocking repeatedly.
Blocking vs. Unfriending vs. Restricting: What’s the Difference?
I'm not sure if blocking is the right choice. Here’s how it compares to other Facebook privacy options:
| Feature | Blocking | Unfriending | Restricting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removes person from friends list | Yes | Yes | No |
| This prevents them from seeing your posts | Yes | No (unless private) | Only private posts |
| Prevents messages on Messenger | Yes | No | No |
| Stops them from tagging you | Yes | No | No |
If you just want to hide someone’s posts without completely cutting them off, unfriending or restricting them might be a better choice.
How Long Does It Take to Unblock Someone?
Unblocking is instant, but:
- If you want to re-block them, you must wait 48 hours.
- If they were on your friend's list, you’d need to send them a friend request again.
- They won’t get a notification but may notice they can interact with your profile again.
Final Thoughts
Unblocking someone on Facebook is easy and works across desktops, mobile apps, and browsers. Whether you accidentally blocked a friend, changed your mind, or want to reconnect, following these steps will restore access.
If you want to keep some distance without blocking them again, consider adjusting your privacy settings to control what they see.
If you found this guide helpful, let us know in the comments and share it with anyone who might need it!
