Blocking someone on Facebook can be a quick fix when you need distance—whether it’s to avoid awkward conversations, take a break from certain posts, or protect your peace of mind. But what if you’ve had a change of heart? Maybe you’ve resolved a misunderstanding, rekindled a friendship, or simply decided you don’t want to keep them off your profile anymore.
Whatever the reason, unblocking someone on Facebook is easier than you think—and it can be done in just a few taps. In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to unblock someone, explain what happens afterward, and give you a few tips to avoid future misunderstandings.
What Happens When You Block Someone on Facebook
Before we dive into unblocking, it’s worth revisiting what blocking does:
- The blocked person can’t see your posts or profile.
- They can’t send you friend requests or message you.
- They disappear from your friends list (if you were friends before).
Blocking is like building a digital wall—they can’t interact with you, and you can’t interact with them, even in group chats.
What Happens When You Unblock Someone
When you unblock a person, the digital wall comes down, but there’s a catch:
- You won’t automatically become friends again—you’ll need to send them a friend request if you want to reconnect.
- They’ll be able to see your public posts and message you again.
- If you blocked them in Messenger too, you’ll need to unblock them separately there if you want to chat.
💡 Pro Tip: If you’re unblocking someone after a personal disagreement, you might want to adjust your privacy settings first so you can control what they see.
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook (Mobile App)
If you’re using the Facebook app on your phone or tablet, here’s the step-by-step process:
- Open the Facebook app and log into your account.
- Tap the three horizontal lines (☰) in the bottom-right corner (iOS) or top-right corner (Android).
- Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
- Under the Audience and Visibility section, tap Blocking.
- You’ll see a list of people you’ve blocked—find the person you want to unblock.
- Tap Unblock next to their name.
- Confirm your choice by tapping Unblock again in the pop-up.
Done! The person is now unblocked.
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook (Desktop)
If you’re on a computer, the steps are just as simple:
- Go to Facebook.com and log in.
- Click the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner.
- Select Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
- On the left-hand menu, click Blocking.
- In the Block Users section, you’ll see a list of people you’ve blocked.
- Click Unblock next to the person’s name.
- Confirm by clicking Unblock again in the confirmation window.
How to Unblock Someone on Messenger
Unblocking on Facebook doesn’t automatically unblock someone on Messenger. If you blocked them there, here’s what to do:
On Mobile App:
- Open Messenger.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-left corner.
- Select Privacy & Safety.
- Tap Blocked Accounts.
- Find the person and tap their name.
- Select Unblock on Messenger.
On Desktop (Messenger.com):
- Open Messenger.com and log in.
- Click your profile picture.
- Select Preferences > Manage Blocking.
- Find the person and click Unblock on Messenger.
Why You Might Want to Unblock Someone
There are plenty of reasons to reverse a block:
- Resolved Conflicts – A disagreement is over, and you’re ready to reconnect.
- Professional Reasons – You might need to network with them again.
- Family Ties – Family disagreements often fade with time.
- Simple Curiosity – You might just want to see what they’ve been up to.
Whatever your reason, remember that unblocking is reversible—if things go south again, you can always block them back with a couple of taps.
How to Manage Your Privacy After Unblocking
Once someone is unblocked, they’ll be able to see whatever you share publicly. If you want more control:
- Set Your Default Audience to Friends – So only your friends see your posts.
- Limit Past Posts – Hide your older posts from non-friends.
- Use the “Restricted” List – Add them to your restricted list so they only see posts you choose.
Quick Recap
If you just want the bare-bones steps for unblocking someone on Facebook:
- Go to Settings → Blocking.
- Find the person’s name in your blocked list.
- Tap or click Unblock → Confirm.
That’s it—less than a minute of work.
Final Thoughts
Unblocking someone on Facebook isn’t just a technical step—it’s often a personal decision. Whether it’s about giving someone a second chance or simply moving on from past issues, the process is quick, and you stay in control of what they can see afterward.
Remember: you don’t have to refriend someone after unblocking them. You get to decide how much access they have to your online world.
FAQs
- Will the person know if I unblock them?
No. Facebook does not send a notification when you unblock someone. However, they may notice if they search for you and can suddenly see your profile again. - Can I unblock someone and block them again later?
Yes. You can re-block someone anytime. Just note that Facebook has a 48-hour waiting period before you can block the same person again after unblocking them.