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Sometimes you might block someone on Facebook. Maybe you needed some space, wanted more privacy, or just didn’t want to see their posts for a while. But situations change, and you might decide you want to unblock that person. Perhaps you want to reconnect, become friends again, or simply see what they are sharing on their profile.
If you’ve decided it’s time to remove someone from your block list, this guide can help. We will show you exactly how to unblock users using the Facebook website on a desktop computer, and also using the Facebook mobile app on your iPhone or Android device. The steps are quite simple once you know where to look.
What Happens When You Unblock Someone on Facebook?
Before you unblock someone, it helps to know what happens next. Here are a few key things to keep in mind:
- Unblocking doesn’t automatically make you friends. If you were friends before you blocked them, your connection was removed.
- You need to send a new friend request to reconnect.
- The person you unblock doesn’t get a notification.
- Public posts: Once unblocked, the person can see your posts that you share publicly. If you become friends again, they can also see posts shared with your “Friends” audience, depending on your privacy settings.
- They can send you messages or friend requests again.
- Blocking rule: After you unblock someone, Facebook makes you wait 48 hours before you can block that same person again.
Finding Your Facebook Blocking List (First Step to Unblocking)
To start unblocking someone, you need to access your Blocking List on Facebook. This list keeps track of all the profiles you’ve chosen to block. You can find this list inside your Facebook Settings menu, under Privacy settings, in a section clearly labeled Blocking.
- Read Also: Why Don’t I Have Facebook Marketplace?
How to Unblock Someone on Facebook
The process of unblocking someone is a little different depending on whether you’re using a computer or the mobile app. Let’s go through the steps for each.
Unblocking on the Facebook Website (Desktop Computer)
If you’re using Facebook on a desktop computer (like a PC or Mac), follow these steps:
- Open your web browser and go to Facebook.com. Log in to your account if you’re not already signed in.
- Click on your small profile picture in the top-right corner of the page.
- A menu will appear. Click on Settings & Privacy.
- Next, click on Settings.
- Look at the menu on the left side of the screen. Click on Privacy.
- Now, click on the Blocking option under Privacy settings.
- Find the Block users section and click the Edit link next to it.
- Click the link that says See your blocked list.
- A window will pop up showing everyone you’ve blocked. Find the name of the person you want to unblock.
- Click the Unblock button next to their name.
- Facebook will ask you to confirm. Click Confirm. The person is now unblocked.
Unblocking on the Facebook App (iPhone or Android)
Unblocking someone using the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet is very similar on both iPhone and Android devices. Here’s how:
- Open the Facebook app on your mobile device.
- Tap the Menu icon (three horizontal lines: ☰). On iPhone, it’s usually in the bottom-right corner. On Android, it’s in the top-right corner.
- Scroll down the menu and tap Settings & Privacy.
- Tap Settings.
- Scroll down until you find Audience and Visibility (or sometimes Profile Settings).
- Tap Blocking.
- This screen shows your personal Blocking List. Find the person you want to unblock.
- Tap the Unblock button next to their name.
- A message will pop up asking you to confirm. Tap Unblock again. The person is now removed from your block list.
How Can You Reconnect After Unblocking Someone on Facebook?
Remember, unblocking just removes the restriction. It doesn’t automatically make you Facebook friends again.
If you want to fully reconnect and see their posts in your Feed (and have them see yours shared with friends), you need to send a new friend request. To do this, go to their Facebook profile (you might need to search for their name now that they’re unblocked) and click Add Friend.
Be aware that sending a friend request might let the person know you previously blocked them, if they notice the re-friending.
Remember: The 48-Hour Re-Blocking Rule
Facebook has a rule that prevents you from blocking the same person again for 48 hours after unblocking them. This rule is likely in place to stop people from repeatedly blocking and unblocking someone. So, make sure you really want to unblock them before you click that final Confirm button.
Troubleshooting: Can’t Find Someone on Your Blocking List?
What if you go to your Blocking List but can’t find the person you want to unblock? Here are a few possible reasons:
- The person might have deactivated their Facebook account or deleted it. If their account no longer exists, they won’t appear on your list.
- If you’ve blocked many people, check the spelling of their name. A small typo could make them hard to find.
- Make sure you are looking for the correct profile, especially if the person has a common name or created a new account.
We hope this step-by-step guide helped you figure out how to unblock someone on Facebook using both your computer and phone. If this guide helped you, please leave a comment below or share it with others who might find it useful. Let us know if you have any other questions about managing your Facebook settings!