If you’ve ever had someone constantly messaging you on Facebook Messenger — whether it’s an annoying acquaintance, a stranger, or even a scammer — you’ve probably thought about hitting that “Block” button. And you wouldn’t be alone. Blocking someone isn’t about being rude; it’s about setting healthy digital boundaries. Whether you’re tired of constant notifications or need to protect your peace online, learning how to block someone on Messenger is a simple but powerful way to take back control.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to block someone on Messenger (both on mobile and desktop), what happens when you block them, and how to manage your privacy smartly.
Why Blocking Someone on Messenger Might Be Necessary
Blocking someone is not always a sign of conflict — sometimes, it’s an act of self-care.
Maybe you’re dealing with spam messages, unwanted contact from an old friend, or simply want to limit who can reach you. Messenger, being one of the most widely used communication apps globally, connects billions of people every day. But not every connection is welcome.
Here are a few common reasons you might want to block someone:
- They send too many unwanted messages or spam links.
- You’ve ended a relationship and need time or distance.
- You’ve noticed suspicious behavior or potential scams.
- You’re being harassed, bullied, or made to feel uncomfortable.
- You just want to clean up your chat list and reduce distractions.
Blocking ensures your privacy and peace of mind — and best of all, it’s reversible. You can unblock anyone at any time if you change your mind.
What Happens When You Block Someone on Messenger
Before you block anyone, it’s important to understand what exactly happens next.
When you block someone on Messenger only, they can’t send you messages or call you through the app. However, they can still see your Facebook profile, react to your posts, or comment if you haven’t blocked them on Facebook itself.
If you choose to block them on Facebook and Messenger, that’s a full disconnect. They won’t be able to message you, view your posts, tag you, or add you as a friend. Essentially, it’s like digitally disappearing from their world.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- They won’t be notified that you’ve blocked them.
- Previous chat history remains in your Messenger inbox unless you delete it.
- They can’t message, call, or video chat with you.
- You can still see old messages (but not new ones).
- If you unblock them later, you’ll have to send a new message to restart the chat.
Blocking is private — Facebook never tells the other person. So, don’t worry about awkward confrontations.
How to Block Someone on Messenger (Mobile App)
Let’s start with the most common method — blocking someone directly from the Messenger app.
Here’s how to do it step-by-step:
- Open the Messenger App: Launch the app on your Android or iPhone.
- Find the Chat: Scroll or search for the person you want to block.
- Tap on Their Name: Once inside the chat, tap on their name or profile picture at the top of the screen.
- Scroll Down and Select “Block”: You’ll find this option toward the bottom of their profile menu.
- Choose Between Two Options:
- Block Messages and Calls (blocks them only on Messenger).
- Block on Facebook (blocks them across both platforms).
- Confirm Your Action: Tap Block again to finalize it.
That’s it — the person will no longer be able to message or call you on Messenger.
If you ever change your mind, go back to the same section and choose Unblock on Messenger.
How to Block Someone on Messenger (Desktop Version)
If you prefer using Messenger on your computer, you can block people from the desktop version just as easily.
Here’s how:
- Go to Messenger.com or open Facebook and click the Messenger icon.
- Select the Conversation: Find and open the chat with the person you want to block.
- Click on Their Name: This opens a sidebar with their profile details.
- Scroll Down and Click “Privacy & Support.”
- Choose “Block.”
- Select “Block Messages and Calls” or “Block on Facebook.”
- Confirm the Action.
Once done, Messenger will confirm that you’ve successfully blocked the person. You’ll no longer receive messages or calls from them.
Blocking vs. Ignoring: What’s the Difference?
If you’re hesitant about blocking someone completely, there’s a softer approach — ignoring.
When you ignore a chat on Messenger:
- Their messages move to your Message Requests folder.
- You won’t receive notifications from them.
- They won’t know that you’ve ignored them.
This feature is perfect if you want to quietly step back without making it obvious. However, if you’re dealing with harassment or spam, blocking is the safer route.
How to Unblock Someone on Messenger
Maybe you’ve reconciled with someone or realized the block wasn’t necessary — unblocking is just as easy.
Here’s how to do it:
On Mobile:
- Open the Messenger app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top left corner.
- Go to Privacy & Safety → Blocked Accounts.
- Tap the name of the person you want to unblock.
- Tap Unblock on Messenger.
On Desktop:
- Go to Messenger.com.
- Click on your profile picture → Preferences → Manage Blocking.
- Locate the name and click Unblock.
Once unblocked, you can message them again like before.
Smart Privacy Tips for Messenger Users
Blocking is one layer of protection, but if you want to keep your Messenger account safe overall, here are a few bonus tips:
- Limit who can message you: Go to Privacy Settings → Message Delivery and choose who can contact you.
- Use message filters: Move suspicious chats to “Message Requests.”
- Enable two-factor authentication: This adds a strong layer of security to your Facebook and Messenger account.
- Be cautious with links and attachments: Scammers often disguise malware as links or photos.
- Report abuse: If someone threatens or harasses you, report the account before blocking it.
Messenger gives you full control over your digital space — use these tools wisely.
What Happens If You Block Someone You’re in a Group Chat With?
This one’s a little tricky.
If you block someone on Messenger but you’re both part of the same group chat, you’ll still see their messages in that group. However, you won’t be able to send private messages to each other.
If you want to completely avoid them, you can leave the group chat or create a new one without that person.
Blocking Keeps You in Control
In today’s hyperconnected world, privacy is power. Blocking someone on Messenger isn’t about drama — it’s about digital safety and emotional well-being. Whether it’s spam, harassment, or simply personal preference, the ability to control who gets access to your inbox is essential.
Remember: blocking is reversible, private, and often the healthiest choice. Don’t hesitate to use it when needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will someone know if I block them on Messenger?
No. Facebook and Messenger never notify users that they’ve been blocked. However, they might eventually realize it if they try to message you and see that their messages aren’t delivered. - Can I still see messages from someone I blocked?
Yes, but only the old ones. Once you block someone, new messages won’t appear in your inbox. You’ll still have access to your previous conversation history unless you manually delete it.
Conclusion
Blocking someone on Messenger might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s a necessary step in maintaining healthy digital boundaries. Whether you want peace from spammy messages or need to protect your personal space, the process is quick, effective, and entirely within your control.
Your online safety and comfort should always come first — and with tools like Messenger’s blocking feature, keeping your digital world calm and secure has never been easier.