Facebook is among the most widely used means of staying in touch, but sometimes things get heated or messy, and we hit the “Block” button.
Whatever the cause—a momentary disagreement, a mistaken touch, or a privacy concern—there will be times when you’ll need to reverse what you’ve done. If you’re curious about how to unblock people on Facebook, this step-by-step guide walks you through each step.
We will discuss not just the “how,” but also the “what’s next,” how to look at your Facebook block list, and how to manage your privacy settings after unblocking someone. Regardless of whether you are on the Facebook app, desktop website, or Messenger, it’s all here.
What Happens When You Block Someone on Facebook
Blocking someone on Facebook is a major step. You essentially become invisible to them on the majority of the site after you block them.
What You’ll Experience When You Block Someone
- They will not be able to see your profile, posts, or tag you in anything.
- They are removed from your friends list (if you two were friends).
- They cannot start a conversation with you through Messenger.
- They won’t notice your likes or comments on mutual friend posts.
- Facebook makes you invisible in search results for that person.
This feature is enabled site-wide on the Facebook account and, depending on your choices, can be extended to Messenger blocking as well.
Interesting Note: Blocking is not the same as unfriending (which merely removes them from your friend list) or restricting, which merely keeps them from seeing everything without the full block.
Messenger Blocking vs. Facebook Blocking
- If you block someone only on Messenger, they are able to see your profile and posts.
- Complete blocking is no communication through Messenger, timeline, comments, or tags.
It’s all in Facebook’s privacy settings so that you can have complete control over who gets to talk with you.
Why You May Have to Unblock Someone on Facebook
Blocking isn’t forever. Life situations change, people grow up, misunderstandings get resolved—and you may find that you need to do an about-face on your decision.
Most Popular Reasons to Unblock Someone on Facebook:
- A personal disagreement or misunderstanding was resolved.
- Blocked someone by mistake—a very frequent issue with the mobile app’s design.
- Need to message or interact again for personal or business purposes.
- You want to re-add them as a friend or just see their posts again.
Pro Tip: If you want to reconnect, you will have to send them a new friend request once you unblock them.
How to Unblock People on Facebook in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)
Unblocking is easy once you figure out where to look for it—although Facebook doesn’t make it precisely that clear. Let’s walk step by step exactly how to unblock people on Facebook on all the big platforms.
a. How to Unblock in the Facebook Mobile App (Android/iOS)
Whether you have an Android or an iPhone, the procedure is the same.
- Open up the Facebook app and log in to your account.
- Tap the menu button (☰) – usually at the bottom right on iPhone or the top right on Android.
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Tap under the “Audience and Visibility” section, titled Blocking.
- You’ll see your list of everyone that you’ve blocked.
- Find the person you want to unblock and tap Unblock next to their name.
- Tap Confirm when a dialog is prompted.
Tip: This is the easiest way to unblock someone on Facebook using the mobile app.
b. How to Unblock on Facebook Using a Desktop Browser
Go to facebook.com and log in to your account.
- Click your profile picture or the drop-down menu icon in the top-right corner.
- Choose Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- In the left sidebar, select Blocking.
- Under Block users, you’ll see a list of blocked contacts.
- Click Unblock next to the person’s name.
- Confirm when prompted.
Note: This procedure works whether you’re on a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
c. How to Unblock Someone on Messenger
If you’ve blocked someone on Messenger only, they can still see your Facebook updates.
- Open the Messenger app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top left.
- Scroll down and select Privacy > Blocked Accounts.
- Tap the person you want to unblock.
- Tap Unblock Messages and Calls.
Note: To fully unblock someone, you may also need to log into your Facebook app if they were blocked there as well.
How to Find Your Facebook Block List
Your Facebook block list is where you can see and manage all whom you’ve blocked over time.
On Mobile:
- Tap Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Tap Blocking under “Audience and Visibility.”
- Here’s your complete list of blocked individuals.
On Desktop
- Log in to Facebook with a browser.
- Touch Settings > Blocking.
- The “Block Users” section shows all blocked profiles.
Here, you can block/unblock individuals, unblock individuals, or put someone new on the blocked list.
What will happen after unblocking someone?
Unblocking on Facebook isn’t so much about rolling out the red carpet. Here’s what will change—and what won’t.
Will they be aware they’ve been unblocked?
No. Facebook won’t notify them. But they will know when they can look at your profile or message you once more.
Are You Instantly Friends Again?
No. You’ll have to send them a new friend request if you’re going to make up again.
Are They Able to View Your Posts?
Depends on your privacy settings:
- Public posts will be shown.
- Friends-only posts won’t be shown unless you re-add them.
Are They Able to Message You Again?
Yes—if they weren’t blocked on Messenger, or if you unblock them there too.
Common Issues When Unblocking on Facebook
Not everything works out as intended when you try to unblock someone. Here’s how to resolve it:
Unblock Option Not Visible?
- Try updating your app or switching to another device.
- The profile might have been deleted or blocked.
Can’t Re-block Someone Immediately?
Facebook has a 48-hour waiting period before you can re-block the same person. Make the most of it.
Can’t Find the Person After Unblocking?
- They may have blocked you.
- Their account might be deactivated or set private.
- You might need to clear your browser cache or app data.
Still stumped? Look at the Facebook Help Center or browse through related articles.
Facebook Privacy Settings You Should Check After Unblocking
Unblocking someone brings back the possibilities of interaction. Before that can happen, you may want to adjust your privacy settings.
Post Visibility
Verify your post privacy:
- Who can see future posts?
- Who can see old posts?
- Limit Past Posts to restrict older content.
Profile & Tag Settings
- Who can tag you or post on your timeline?
- Approve tagged posts before they appear live.
Use the Restricted List
Not yet ready for another complete blocking? Add someone to the Restricted List so they will only see public posts.
This gives you more control than a complete block, while still having to cope with interaction.
Conclusion
Unblocking another person on Facebook is easy, but it has major consequences. It gives people second chances, reopens lines of communication, or even just closure.
In brief:
- Find your Facebook block list through Settings.
- Follow the step-by-step mobile, desktop, or Messenger instructions.
- Adjust privacy settings as needed after unblocking.
- Understand what changes—and what doesn’t—after the unblock.
Best Practice: Always be intentional with unblocks and blocks. Utilize Restrict for limited access, and review your privacy settings on a regular basis.
Need more help? See the Facebook Help Center or explore other similar posts for new updates and troubleshooting tips.
FAQs on How to Unblock People on Facebook
Can someone find out that you unblocked them?
Not quite—Facebook does not inform. But if they realize they are able to see your profile again, they might get suspicious.
Can I message someone after unblocking?
Yes. But you might need to go to their page and click “Message” in order to pick up where you left off.
Do I need to send a new friend request?
Yes. Unblocking does not restore friendship status.
Can I unblock the person who blocked me?
No, you can only unblock individuals you blocked. They need to unblock you first if they blocked you.
What happens if they block me, too?
You will not be able to communicate until they unblock you on their end.
Will my previous messages reappear?
Yes. Messages in Messenger are stored unless deleted. You can pick up where you left off after unblocking.
