How to unblock someone on Facebook: open Facebook, go to Settings and privacy > Settings, find Blocking, look for the person in your blocked list, tap or click Unblock, and confirm. Once unblocked, that person can see your public profile, find you in search, and send you a friend request again, depending on your privacy settings. Unblocking does not automatically make you friends again, and Facebook does not let you block the same person again for 48 hours. This guide shows the exact steps on iPhone, Android and desktop, explains what happens next, and covers common problems such as an empty blocked list or a missing Unblock button.
Last updated: October 2026. Facebook moves settings around from time to time. If a menu name looks different, use the search bar in Settings or visit the official Facebook Help Center.
Quick Answer: How Do I Unblock Someone on Facebook?
- Open the Facebook app or go to facebook.com and log in.
- Open the Menu (three lines on mobile) or click your profile picture (on desktop).
- Tap or click Settings and privacy, then Settings.
- Find Blocking. It may appear under Privacy or Audience and visibility.
- Find the person in your blocked list.
- Tap or click Unblock next to their name and confirm.
Remember: you will need to send a new friend request if you want to be friends again.
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook on iPhone or Android
The steps are almost the same on both phones.
- Open the Facebook app.
- Tap the Menu icon (three lines, or your profile picture, depending on your version).
- Tap Settings and privacy, then Settings.
- Scroll to the Audience and visibility or Privacy section and tap Blocking.
- You will see a list of people you have blocked. Tap Unblock next to the person you want.
- Read the message that appears and tap Unblock again to confirm.
If you cannot find Blocking, use the search icon inside Settings and type “blocking.”
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook on a Computer
- Go to facebook.com and log in.
- Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Click Settings and privacy, then Settings.
- In the left menu, click Blocking (it may be listed under Privacy).
- Find the person in the Block users list.
- Click Unblock next to their name and confirm.
On desktop you can also search for the person you blocked from the same Blocking page and unblock them from the list.
What Happens When You Unblock Someone on Facebook?
Unblocking restores the person’s ability to interact with you, but not your old connection.
- They can find you again. They can search for your profile and see what your privacy settings allow, such as public posts.
- They can send a friend request or message. Contact depends on your privacy settings.
- You are not friends automatically. Blocking removes the friendship. After unblocking, either of you must send a new friend request.
- They are not notified. Facebook does not send an alert when you unblock someone, although they may notice if they can see your profile again.
- Old content does not fully return. Tags, comments and past interactions removed by the block may not reappear.
- The 48-hour rule applies. After you unblock someone, you cannot block them again for 48 hours.
The 48-Hour Rule Explained
If you unblock someone and immediately regret it, Facebook makes you wait 48 hours before blocking that person again. This rule prevents repeated blocking and unblocking. If you are worried about someone who has harassed you, use other protections in the meantime: Restrict or limit what they can see, change who can send friend requests, and report abusive behavior. Our guide to Facebook privacy settings shows how to control who can find, contact and see your posts.
How to See Your Blocked List on Facebook
Your blocked list is the same place you use to unblock people.
- Go to Settings and privacy > Settings.
- Open Blocking.
- Scroll to the list of blocked profiles. Each person has an Unblock button.
Facebook also has separate lists for restricted people, blocked messages and blocked apps or pages, so check each section if you do not see the name you expected.
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook Messenger
Blocking on Messenger can be separate from blocking on Facebook. If you blocked someone only in Messenger, unblock them there.
- Open Messenger.
- Tap your profile picture or the menu icon.
- Open Settings, then Privacy and safety.
- Tap Blocked accounts or Blocking.
- Select the person and choose Unblock.
Menu names vary by app version, so check the Help Center if you see something different.
How to Unblock a Facebook Page or App
You can also block Pages, apps and event invitations. To undo this, go to Settings and privacy > Settings, then look in the Blocking section and its related lists, such as blocked pages, blocked apps or blocked event invites, and remove the item from the list.
Why Can’t I Unblock Someone on Facebook?
You are looking in the wrong list
Make sure you are in Blocking and not only in Messenger or your restricted list. A person can be blocked in one place and not another.
The blocked list is empty
If your list is empty, you have not blocked the person on Facebook. Instead, they may have blocked you, deactivated their account, deleted their profile or changed their privacy settings.
The Unblock button does nothing
Update the Facebook app, restart your phone, clear the app cache, or try the website. If the app keeps freezing, our tech troubleshooting guide explains common fixes.
You cannot find the person
The profile may have been deleted, or the person may have changed their name. Check your blocked list for older names or search carefully.
You are logged in to the wrong account
If you have more than one Facebook account, make sure you are using the account that did the blocking.
What If Someone Blocked You on Facebook?
If you think someone blocked you, you cannot unblock yourself. A blocked person usually cannot see the other’s profile, send messages or find them in search. Common signs include not finding their profile in search while others can, or losing your friend connection. The only way to be unblocked is for that person to remove the block. Please respect their decision. Do not create fake accounts or use other people’s accounts to get around a block, because that can be seen as harassment and may break Facebook’s rules.
Should You Unblock Someone? Questions to Ask Yourself
- Why did I block them? If it was harassment, threats or spam, think carefully.
- Is the situation different now? Time, apologies or changed circumstances may justify a second chance.
- What are my privacy settings? Make sure your posts, photos and friend list are visible only to the people you want.
- Do I have a backup plan? If problems return, report the behavior and wait for the 48-hour period to end before blocking again.
If you are dealing with online bullying or harassment, resources such as StopBullying.gov offer advice on staying safe and getting help.
Protect Your Facebook Account After Unblocking
- Review your audience settings. Set posts to Friends, and limit past posts if needed.
- Use a strong, unique password. Our guide to how to create a strong password explains how.
- Turn on two-factor authentication in Accounts Center or Security settings.
- Beware of scams. Fake messages claim to help you “unblock” accounts or recover Facebook access. Learn the warning signs in our guide to how to spot a phishing email.
- Review your other accounts. See our guides to account privacy settings, Instagram privacy settings and WhatsApp privacy settings.
- Consider leaving a platform. If you feel overwhelmed, see our guide on how to delete an Instagram account or the steps to delete a TikTok account.
For general advice on staying safe online, visit the FTC Consumer Advice site.
Frequently Asked Questions About Unblocking on Facebook
How do I unblock someone on Facebook?
Go to Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Blocking. Find the person in your blocked list, tap or click Unblock and confirm.
Will they know if I unblock them on Facebook?
Facebook does not send a notification when you unblock someone. They may notice if they can suddenly see your profile again or find you in search.
Do we become friends again after I unblock someone?
No. Blocking removes the friendship, and unblocking does not restore it. One of you must send a new friend request.
Why can’t I block someone again after unblocking?
Facebook applies a 48-hour waiting period before you can block a person you just unblocked. After 48 hours, you can block them again from the same Blocking page.
Where is my blocked list on Facebook?
It is under Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Blocking. The list shows everyone you have blocked and gives you an Unblock button.
How do I unblock someone on Messenger only?
Open Messenger, go to Settings, then Privacy and safety, then Blocked accounts, and choose Unblock next to the person. Messenger and Facebook can have separate block settings.
Can I unblock someone without them knowing?
Yes, in the sense that Facebook does not notify them. However, they can see your profile again, so they may notice.
Can I unblock someone from my computer?
Yes. Click your profile picture, choose Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Blocking, and click Unblock beside the name.
What happens to old messages after I unblock someone?
Old messages may still appear in your chat history, depending on how you blocked them and whether the conversation was deleted. You can usually message each other again after unblocking, depending on privacy settings.
How do I know if someone blocked me on Facebook?
Signs include being unable to find their profile in search, losing the friend connection, or not being able to message them. These signs can also appear if the person deactivated their account, so you cannot be completely sure.
Can I unblock someone if I do not remember their name?
Yes. Scroll through your blocked list and look at profile pictures and names. You can unblock several people one by one from the same page.
Is it safe to unblock someone who harassed me?
Think carefully. If you have concerns about your safety, keep the block, report the behavior to Facebook, and seek support from trusted people or the appropriate authorities.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to unblock someone on Facebook is simple: open Settings and privacy, go to Blocking, and tap Unblock beside the person’s name. Remember that unblocking does not restore your friendship, that the person is not notified, and that you must wait 48 hours before blocking them again. Before you unblock, decide whether it is safe and useful, and review your privacy settings so only the right people can see your content. Keep your account protected with a strong password and two-factor authentication, and use Facebook’s reporting tools if problems return.
Tip: Not sure you are ready to unblock? Review your Facebook privacy settings first, so you stay in control of who can see and contact you.
