How to block someone on Snapchat
To block someone on Snapchat, open the app and go to your profile by tapping your avatar in the top left corner. Tap the settings icon (gear symbol) in the top right. Scroll down and tap Blocked. Tap the plus icon and search for the person's username or phone number, then tap their name and confirm the block.
If you want to block someone who messaged you, you can also long-press their name in your chat list, tap the three-dot menu, and select Block. The person will not be notified that you blocked them, but they will notice they can no longer message you, see your story, or find your profile when they search.
Blocking is different from removing a friend. When you remove someone, they stay in your contacts but can no longer see your story or send you snaps unless you add them back. Blocking prevents all contact and hides your account from them entirely.
Key Takeaways
- You can block someone through your settings menu by going to Profile > Settings > Blocked, or by long-pressing their chat and selecting Block.
- A blocked person cannot message you, see your story, add you as a friend, or find your profile through search.
- Snapchat does not notify the blocked person, but they will realize they cannot reach you when they try to message or view your profile.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to Settings > Blocked, finding their name, and swiping left to remove the block.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block someone, they lose access to everything about your account. They cannot send you snaps or messages, view your story, see your Bitmoji on the map, or add you as a friend. If they search for your username, your profile will not appear in their results.
The blocked person will see an error message if they try to message you or view your profile, but Snapchat does not send them a notification saying you blocked them. However, they will figure it out quickly — if they cannot find you, cannot message you, and see an error when they try, they will know you blocked them.
If you and the blocked person have mutual friends, those friends can still see both of you and talk to both of you. Blocking only affects the relationship between you and that one person.
Blocking versus removing a friend
Removing a friend is less severe than blocking. When you remove someone, they stay in your contacts and can still see your public story and search for your profile. They can add you again if they want. You might remove someone if you want to stop seeing their snaps but do not need to completely cut off contact.
To remove a friend without blocking them, long-press their name in your chat list and tap Remove Friend. They will not get a notification, but they will see that you are no longer their friend if they check your profile.
Blocking is the right choice if someone is harassing you, sending unwanted messages, or making you uncomfortable. Removing is better if you straightforward want to clean up your friends list or stop seeing someone's content.
Unblocking someone later
You can unblock someone whenever you want. Go to your profile, tap settings, and select Blocked. Find the person's name in the list and swipe left on it. Tap Unblock to confirm.
When you unblock someone, they do not get a notification. They will be able to message you and see your story again, but you will not automatically become friends. If you want to be friends again, one of you will need to send a friend request.
Blocking someone who has already blocked you
If someone blocks you first, you cannot message them or see their profile. You also cannot block them — Snapchat will not let you block someone who has already blocked you, because the block already prevents all contact between you.
If you think someone has blocked you, try searching for their username. If their profile does not appear and you know they have an account, they may have blocked you or deleted their account. You can also try messaging them — if the message does not send, that is another sign they blocked you.
Blocking on different devices
The blocking process is the same whether you use Snapchat on iPhone, Android, or a web browser. Open the app or go to the web version, navigate to your profile settings, and follow the same steps to block or unblock someone.
If you use Snapchat on multiple devices, a block you make on your phone will explore across all devices. You do not need to block the same person separately on each device.
When to block versus report
Blocking stops someone from contacting you, but it does not report them to Snapchat. If someone is harassing you, sending explicit images without consent, or threatening you, you should report them in addition to blocking them. Long-press their message or snap, tap the flag icon, and follow the prompts to report the behavior to Snapchat's safety team.
Reporting helps Snapchat identify accounts that violate their terms of service. If enough people report the same account, Snapchat may suspend or delete it. Blocking only protects you; reporting protects other users too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Snapchat does not send a notification, but they will figure it out when they cannot message you, find your profile, or see your story. If they try to add you, they will see an error. There is no way to block someone without them eventually realizing it.
What if I block someone by accident?
Go to Settings > Blocked, find their name, and swipe left to unblock them. They will not know you blocked them or unblocked them. You can unblock someone at any time with no notification sent.
Does blocking someone delete our chat history?
No. Your old messages and snaps with that person stay in your chat list, but you cannot send new messages. If you unblock them later, you can message them again, and your old conversation will still be there.
Can I block someone without being their friend?
Yes. You can block anyone on Snapchat, whether they are your friend or not. If someone is messaging you from a username you do not recognize, you can block them directly without adding them first.
Will blocking someone remove them from my friends list?
Yes. When you block someone, they are automatically removed from your friends list. If you unblock them later, you will need to add them again if you want to be friends.