Having regrets about a deleted Facebook friend request? Maybe you accidentally deleted a friend request or changed your mind after deleting one. Whatever the reason, it is possible to recover and resend a deleted friend request on Facebook. Here’s what you need to know.
What happens when you delete a Facebook friend request?
When you delete a friend request on Facebook, it is removed from both your and the recipient’s accounts. Specifically:
- The friend request is deleted from your “Sent Requests” list.
- The notification showing you sent them a friend request disappears from their account.
- They will no longer see the pending request in their friend requests folder.
Essentially, it’s like the friend request never happened. The recipient has no record of it in their account.
Can you recover a deleted Facebook friend request?
Yes, it is possible to recover and resend a deleted Facebook friend request.
When you delete a friend request, Facebook removes it from view but does not permanently delete the connection between you and the recipient from their servers. So the history of you sending them a friend request still exists behind the scenes.
By taking the right steps, you can essentially restore and resend a deleted request, and the recipient will see it as if you sent it again.
How to resend a deleted Facebook friend request
Here is a simple step-by-step process for recovering and resending a deleted Facebook friend request:
- Open your friend requests page on Facebook. This can be accessed from the Friends section of your main profile menu.
- At the top, click on the “Sent Requests” tab.
- You will see a list of any pending sent friend requests. Right below this, look for the link that says “See Sent Requests”.
- Click “See Sent Requests”. This will open a page showing all your past sent friend requests.
- Find the person you want to resend a request to in this list. Click the “Add Friend” button next to their name.
- A new friend request will be sent to them, which they will see as if you have sent it for the first time.
And that’s it! Following these steps will allow you to easily restore a deleted Facebook friend request. The recipient will not know it is a previously deleted request being resent.
What happens when you resend a deleted Facebook friend request?
When you resend a deleted Facebook friend request using the steps above, here is what happens:
- The friend request will appear in your “Sent Requests” folder again as pending.
- The recipient will receive a new friend request notification from you.
- They will see your friend request in their requests inbox as if it was sent for the first time.
- No notification that this is a recovered/resent request. As far as the recipient is aware, it’s a brand new request.
Essentially, it will be as if you have sent a completely new friend request to the person. The entire process happens behind the scenes without the recipient knowing it is a restored deleted request.
What if the recipient deleted the original friend request?
If the recipient originally deleted or ignored the friend request from you, you can still recover and resend it from your account using the steps outlined above.
Even if they deleted the original request, the connection still exists behind the scenes on Facebook’s servers. So you can restore it and send it again, and they will see it as new.
The only exception is if the recipient specifically chose to block you after originally deleting your friend request. A blocked connection cannot be restored.
How long do you have to recover and resend a deleted request?
There is no definite timeframe or expiration date for recovering a deleted Facebook friend request.
As long as your account and the recipient’s account remain active, the connection history exists in Facebook’s system. This means the pathway to resend a deleted request will be there.
In most cases, you should be able to recover and resend a deleted friend request many months or even years later if needed. The person will still receive it as if it was a new request.
Tips for resending deleted Facebook friend requests
If you want to restore and resend a deleted Facebook friend request, here are some useful tips:
- First, reconsider if you should send the request again. Don’t bombard someone if they deleted your original request.
- Refresh your memory on how you know this person before resending to contextually reference your connection in the new request.
- If they deleted your original request quickly, give it some time before restoring it.
- Take the opportunity to update your profile and share new content before resending.
- Follow up any resent request with a message acknowledging your previous connection.
Using these tips will increase the chances your restored friend request is accepted.
Can you recover a Facebook friend request you accepted?
Unfortunately, there is no way to recover a Facebook friend request that you previously accepted. Once you accept a friend request, it permanently registers that connection between you and the requester.
However, if you regret accepting a friend request, you can always unfriend or block that person later to remove the connection.
Mistakes to avoid when resending a Facebook request
When recovering and resending a deleted Facebook friend request, be careful to avoid these mistakes:
- Don’t repeatedly resend deleted requests if the person ignores them.
- Don’t call out the recipient for deleting your previous friend request.
- Don’t lie about the resent request being an “accident” or “mistake”.
- Don’t send a message with the request asking why they deleted the original.
- Avoid sending too many resends in a short time period.
Mistakes like these will likely prompt the recipient to delete your request again or even block you. Use tact when resending a deleted Facebook friend request.
In summary
Here are the key points to remember about recovering and resending deleted Facebook friend requests:
- It is possible to restore and resend deleted friend requests.
- The recipient is unaware it is a recovered request.
- Follow the steps to find and resend deleted requests.
- Reconsider if you should resend certain requests.
- Avoid mistakes like pestering the recipient.
- No limits on when deleted requests can be recovered.
Leveraging the ability to resend deleted friend requests on Facebook can be useful. But exercise judgment and restraint when doing so.
The pros and cons of resending deleted Facebook friend requests
Recovering deleted Facebook friend requests can be helpful in some cases but also has some potential drawbacks to consider:
Pros
- Allows you to reconnect with old friends or associates
- Lets you revive canceled connections that you regret
- Recipient is unaware the request was previously deleted
- Provides a second chance to connect with someone
Cons
- May come across as desperate or pestering
- Raises privacy concerns about Facebook recovering old data
- Could be embarrassing if recipient remembers deleting original request
- Potential to make recipient uncomfortable by resending
Weighing these pros and cons will help decide when it is appropriate to reuse a deleted Facebook friend request.
How many times can you resend a friend request on Facebook?
There is no specific limit to how many times you can recover and resend the same Facebook friend request. As long as the original request occurred between your account and the recipient’s account, it can continually be restored.
However, repeatedly sending the same friend request is usually not a good strategy. If someone deletes your request or ignores it multiple times, they are indicating they do not want to connect. Continually re-sending the same request could be perceived as harassment.
While there are no hard limits, use good judgment. Typically resending a deleted friend request 1-3 times at most is appropriate if someone seems receptive but hesitant to connect.
Can someone tell if you resend a deleted Facebook friend request?
In most cases, no. When properly recovered and resent, a deleted Facebook friend request will look identical to a new first-time request from you.
The recipient has no indication it is a restored deleted request unless you explicitly tell them. As far as they can tell, it’s a brand new request.
However, it is possible they could discern it is a resend if:
- They have an extremely good memory and recall originally deleting your request.
- They took a screenshot or otherwise recorded your original deleted request.
- You inadvertently indicate in a message it is a resend.
But these cases are the exception. Generally, a properly resent deleted request is indistinguishable from a new one.
Should you let someone know you resend a deleted request?
In most cases, no. As discussed above, revealing that the request is restored from a previously deleted one risks embarrassing the situation. Acting as if it is an entirely new request makes for a cleaner reconnect.
However, in some contexts where you have an existing relationship, it may be appropriate to politely acknowledge you are resending a previous request. Especially if you know they remember the original.
Use your best judgment based on your relationship with the person. If in doubt though, let the resend pass as a new request.
Is resending deleted requests considered harassment?
Simply resending a deleted Facebook friend request 1-2 times is typically not harassment, presuming you had some baseline relationship that warranted an initial friend request.
However, repeatedly sending deleted requests after they have been ignored multiple times could potentially be considered harassment.
Some signs you have crossed the line into harassment include:
- Sending repetitive requests to someone who does not know you.
- Continuing to send requests after multiple deletions and rejections.
- Sending abusive messages alongside resends.
- Creating multiple accounts to send more requests.
Use good judgment and stop if someone clearly does not want to connect or communicate with you.
How to know if someone has resent a deleted friend request to you
If you receive a friend request from someone that you previously deleted or rejected, how can you tell it is a resend versus a new request?
Here are a few clues:
- The person looks familiar but you cannot recall a new reason for connecting.
- Their name and photo seem familiar.
- Their message references previous social interactions you don’t recall.
- Mutual friends you share haven’t recently connected you.
In most cases though, an authentic new request will have context. Look for reference to recent shared experiences, mutual connections, or a clear explanation of why they want to connect now.
Lacking that context may signal a deleted request resend. But you can always accept and monitor for any unusual behavior.
What to do if someone keeps resending a deleted friend request
Having someone continually resend a deleted Facebook friend request can be irritating. Here are some recommended actions if it does not stop:
- Politely message them asking not to send further requests.
- Delete or ignore any new requests without responding.
- Block them from sending you any more requests.
- Report them to Facebook for harassment if they create new accounts.
- Turn on post review so you must approve their new posts.
Repeating requests after deletions and rejections is a major red flag. Take actions to prevent further unwanted contact.
How to permanently stop someone resending a deleted request
To permanently prevent someone from resending a deleted Facebook friend request, you need to do one of two things:
- Block them – By blocking someone, you sever the connection between your accounts. This prevents any ability for them to refind and resend a deleted request.
- Deactivate your account – Fully deactivating your Facebook account removes you from their platform. This also severs all connections and prevents any way of them resending deleted requests.
Blocking is usually preferable to complete deactivation. But both options completely stop any possibility of someone resending you deleted friend requests.
Should Facebook allow resending deleted requests?
There are good-faith arguments on both sides of whether Facebook should retain the ability to resend deleted friend requests:
Arguments For Allowing Resends
- Gives users a second chance to connect with someone.
- Allows reconnection after a change of heart or circumstances.
- Recipient is unaware it is a resend.
- Users should have control over who they connect with.
Arguments Against Allowing Resends
- Could allow harassment from persistent friend requests.
- Violates recipient’s preferences and privacy.
- Data on deleted requests should be permanently removed.
- Goes against the spirit of deleting something.
Facebook likely sees it as a useful feature for most users. But tighter restrictions could prevent abuse while still allowing benign reconnections.
Verdict – Is it okay to resend deleted Facebook friend requests?
Overall, resending deleted Facebook friend requests is acceptable and can be justified in many situations.
It provides a way to restore lost connections and missed opportunities to connect. The recipient is unaware it is a resend, so no harm done.
However, consideration for the recipient is paramount. Excessive resending of deleted requests can cross into harassment territory.
Use good judgment, restraint, and respect when utilizing the ability to recover and resend deleted Facebook friend requests. Handle appropriately, it can be a positive tool for managing your social connections.
The future of resending deleted Facebook requests
Looking ahead, here are some possibilities for how Facebook may handle deleted friend request resends:
- More limits – Facebook could implement stricter limits on how many times a deleted request can be resent, like a 5 resend limit.
- Time expiration – Deleted requests may expire after a certain time period, like 90 days.
- Enhanced blocking – More blocking options could exist, like to permanently block all deleted request resending.
- Alerts to recipients – Facebook may start proactively warning recipients that a new request is a resend.
- AI monitoring – AI could monitor and flag suspicious patterns of excessive resending as harassment.
Implementation of changes like these could retain the upside of request resending while preventing misuse and protecting user preferences.
Conclusion
Resending deleted Facebook friend requests can be a useful tool if used responsibly. While current policies are fairly open, the future may bring more limitations to prevent harassment. But overall, this ability provides a way to recover lost connections. With mutual consent, rekindling social ties on Facebook can be a positive.