Facebook is one of the most widely used social media platforms in the world, but as with any online space, there are times when you may want to control who can interact with you. Whether you’re dealing with unwanted messages, annoying posts, or simply trying to take control of your digital environment, Facebook gives users the tools to block, unblock, or mute others.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to block someone on Facebook, how to unblock someone, and how to mute people without them knowing all while maintaining your privacy and peace of mind.
Why You Might Want to Block, Unblock, or Mute Someone on Facebook
Before diving into the step-by-step instructions, it helps to understand the reasons behind using these features. Facebook offers different levels of control when it comes to interactions:
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Blocking someone completely removes them from your Facebook experience. They can’t see your profile, tag you, message you, or interact with your content.
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Unblocking allows someone you previously blocked to see and contact you again, but it doesn’t automatically restore a friendship.
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Muting (also called “unfollowing” or “snoozing”) allows you to stop seeing someone’s posts or mute conversations without unfriending or blocking them.
These tools can help you manage uncomfortable situations, limit distractions, or just take a break from someone without confrontation.
How to Block Someone on Facebook
Blocking someone is a powerful tool that cuts off almost all interactions between you and the blocked person. Here’s how to block someone on Facebook:
On Desktop:
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Go to the profile of the person you want to block.
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Click the three dots (•••) next to their profile picture.
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Select Block from the dropdown menu.
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Confirm your choice by clicking Confirm in the popup.
Alternatively:
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking.
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Under Block users, type the name of the person and click Block next to the correct profile.
On Mobile (iOS or Android):
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Open the Facebook app and go to the profile of the person.
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Tap the three dots under their name.
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Tap Block, then tap Block again to confirm.
What Happens When You Block Someone:
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They won’t be able to see your posts or tag you.
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They can’t send you messages or friend requests.
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You’ll also be unable to see their profile and interactions.
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Blocking also unfriends the person automatically.
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook
If you’ve blocked someone and later decide to allow interaction again, you can easily unblock them.
On Desktop:
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Click the account menu (your profile picture) in the top right corner.
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Go to Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking.
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Under Block users, you’ll see a list of people you’ve blocked.
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Click Unblock next to the name.
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Confirm by clicking Confirm.
On Mobile:
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Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon (three lines).
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Tap Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking.
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Find the person you want to unblock and tap Unblock next to their name.
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Tap Unblock again to confirm.
Important Note: Unblocking someone doesn’t automatically add them back as a friend. You’ll need to send a new friend request if you want to reconnect.
How to Mute or Snooze Someone on Facebook
If blocking feels too drastic, muting someone may be the better option. You’ll stop seeing their posts or messages, but they won’t be notified and your connection remains intact.
Mute Posts by Unfollowing:
This option removes their content from your feed without unfriending.
On Desktop:
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Go to a post from the person you want to mute.
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Click the three dots in the top right corner of the post.
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Select Unfollow [Name].
On Mobile:
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Tap the three dots on their post.
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Tap Unfollow [Name].
Temporarily Mute by Snoozing (30 Days):
On Desktop or Mobile:
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Find a post from the person.
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Click or tap the three dots.
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Choose Snooze [Name] for 30 days.
This is perfect if you need a temporary break from someone’s posts without permanently removing them from your feed.
Mute in Messenger:
To stop receiving message notifications or to mute chat conversations:
On Desktop:
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Open the Messenger chat with the person.
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Click the gear icon or three dots at the top.
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Select Mute notifications and choose your duration.
On Mobile:
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Open the chat in Messenger.
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Tap the person’s name at the top.
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Tap Mute, then select message or call notifications and duration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will someone know if I block them on Facebook?
No, Facebook doesn’t notify users when they’ve been blocked. However, they may notice if they try to visit your profile or send a message and are unable to do so.
Can I still see someone’s profile after blocking them?
No, blocking is mutual. You won’t be able to view their profile, and they won’t be able to view yours.
What happens to our message history when I block someone?
Existing messages remain in your inbox unless you manually delete them. However, you won’t be able to send new messages to each other.
Can I mute someone without unfriending or blocking them?
Yes, muting (via unfollowing or snoozing) is designed for this exact situation.
How can I see who I’ve blocked on Facebook?
Go to Settings > Blocking to view your block list. From there, you can unblock users at any time.
Final Thoughts
Managing your interactions on Facebook is essential for maintaining a healthy social media experience. Whether you want to cut off communication completely or just take a quiet step back, Facebook provides several options. Learning how to block someone on Facebook, how to unblock someone, or how to mute people on Facebook gives you control over your online boundaries without unnecessary drama.
