If you’ve blocked someone on Facebook and later decide you want to unblock them, it’s easy to do. Here’s what to know about unblocking and unblocking on Facebook.
Can you unblock someone you blocked on Facebook?
Yes, you can unblock people that you have previously blocked on Facebook. When you block someone on Facebook, they are unable to see your profile, contact you, start conversations, add you as a friend, or tag you in posts. Blocking is not the same as unfriending someone, which simply removes them from your friends list but still allows some interaction. If you change your mind after blocking someone, you can reverse it and unblock them at any time.
How to unblock someone on Facebook
Follow these steps to unblock someone on Facebook that you had previously blocked:
- Go to your Facebook profile and click on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to access the menu.
- Select “Settings & Privacy” from the menu.
- Click on “Settings” in the left sidebar.
- Select “Blocking” from the list of options.
- You will see a list of all the people you have blocked on Facebook. Find the name of the person you want to unblock and click the “Unblock” button next to their name.
Unblocking someone on Facebook is that simple. As soon as you unblock them, they will once again be able to interact with you, see your profile and posts, and send you messages if you aren’t also friends.
Does unblocking someone on Facebook also add them back as a friend?
No, unblocking someone does not automatically add them back to your Facebook friends list. Unblocking simply removes the block so that they can view your profile and interact with your content. If you want them to be able to see your friends-only posts and information again, you will need to send them a new friend request after unblocking them.
Can you unblock someone you deleted on Facebook?
If you deleted someone as a Facebook friend before blocking them, you will need to send them a new friend request before being able to unblock them. You can only unblock people who you have blocked but are still connected to as friends on Facebook. If you deleted them first, or they deleted you, the block will remain in place until you re-add each other as friends.
Does the person know when you unblock them on Facebook?
No, the person is not notified when you unblock them on Facebook. They will be able to tell that they can now interact with you again, but they will not get a specific notification informing them that they have been unblocked.
What happens when you unblock someone on Facebook?
Here is what happens when you unblock someone on Facebook:
- They will be able see your profile and posts again
- They will be able to search for you and view your public information
- They can send you friend requests and messages again
- They will be able to tag you in posts and pictures
- Your content will show up in their News Feed again
Essentially, unblocking gives them access to interact with you and your public content as if they were never blocked in the first place. The only exception is that unblocking does not automatically make you friends again on Facebook if you had previously deleted them as a friend.
Can you reblock someone on Facebook after unblocking them?
Yes, you can easily reblock someone on Facebook anytime after choosing to unblock them. If you find the person continues to harass you or post unwanted content about you after being unblocked, you have the option to block them again at any time. Just follow the same steps for blocking and select their name from your blocked list to block them again.
Unblocking and deleting contacts on other platforms
Just like on Facebook, most major social media platforms give you the option to block and unblock other users as needed. Here is how to unblock contacts on some other popular sites:
To unblock someone on Twitter:
- Go to your profile icon > Settings and privacy > Security and account access
- Select “Blocked accounts”
- Find the person you want to unblock and click “Unblock”
To unblock an account on Instagram:
- Go to your profile > Menu > Settings
- Tap “Privacy” > “Blocked accounts”
- Tap “Unblock” next to the account you want to unblock
Snapchat
To unblock someone on Snapchat:
- Go to your profile by tapping the ghost icon > Settings (gear icon)
- Tap “My Friends” > “Blocked”
- Swipe left on the name of the person you want to unblock and tap “Unblock”
The risks of unblocking harassers online
If someone was blocked for harassment, bullying, threats, or other toxic behavior, use caution before unblocking them. Consider if the issues leading to the block might resurface if contact is reopened. Harassment often gets worse if contact resumes, so reflect carefully on if unblocking is safe or wise in your specific situation.
You may choose to keep the person blocked for your own well-being and safety. If you feel you are being put in danger, report them to the platform admins and consider contacting law enforcement. Your digital safety and peace of mind should be the priority.
Conclusion
Unblocking someone you had previously cut contact with on Facebook or other platforms is straightforward, but should be done carefully. Make sure you evaluate whether resuming communication with this person is likely to be positive before unblocking. If they were blocked for harmful behavior that is likely to continue, it may be healthiest to keep them blocked. If you do unblock, know that you can always reblock them anytime if needed. Put your safety and values first when deciding if unblocking is the right choice.