Blocking stops messages and calls from reaching you
When you block someone on Facebook Messenger, they cannot send you messages, see when you are online, or call you through the app. The block works in both directions — they also cannot see your profile picture, status, or whether you have read their messages. If you had an existing conversation with them, that chat thread stays in your message list but appears empty to them.
Blocking is different from muting or deleting a conversation. A muted chat still lets messages come through; you just do not get notifications. Deleting a conversation removes it from your view but does not stop the person from messaging you. A block is the only option that prevents contact entirely.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on Messenger prevents them from sending you messages, calling you, or seeing your online status.
- You can block someone directly from a conversation or from their profile, and the process takes less than a minute.
- The person you block will not receive a notification that you blocked them, but they may figure it out when their messages stop going through.
- You can unblock someone at any time from your blocked list, which lives in Messenger settings.
How to block someone from a conversation
Open the conversation with the person you want to block. At the top of the chat, you will see their name. Tap or click on their name to open their profile card — a small window showing their picture and basic information.
Look for a button or menu icon (usually three dots or lines) on that profile card. Tap it and select "Block" from the menu that appears. Messenger will ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the block takes effect when ready.
On mobile, the exact location of this menu changes slightly between iPhone and Android, but the principle is the same: open the conversation, tap the person's name at the top, and look for the block option in the menu that appears.
How to block someone from their profile
You can also block someone without opening a conversation with them. Search for their name in Messenger or find them through a mutual friend's profile. When you open their profile, look for the menu icon (three dots) near their name or picture.
Tap the menu and select "Block." Confirm when Messenger asks. This method is useful if someone has been messaging you repeatedly and you want to stop them before opening the conversation again.
What the blocked person sees and does not see
The person you block will not receive a notification saying you blocked them. However, they will likely figure it out when they try to message you. Their messages will appear to send normally on their end, but they will not reach you. After a while, they may notice you never respond and realize they have been blocked.
They cannot see your profile picture, your online status, or your last seen time. If they try to call you on Messenger, the call will not go through. If you had a previous conversation, they can still see the old messages in their chat history, but the conversation will appear empty or show limited information on their side.
Blocking does not delete messages you sent them before the block. Those messages remain in their chat history. The block only stops new contact from that point forward.
How to unblock someone
Open Messenger and go to your settings. On mobile, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right, then tap "Settings." On desktop, click the gear icon in the top left corner.
Look for "People" or "Blocked" in the settings menu. Tap or click it to see your list of blocked people. Find the person you want to unblock and tap or click "Unblock" next to their name. Confirm when asked.
Once you unblock someone, they can message you again when ready. They will not be notified that you unblocked them, but they may notice when their messages start going through again.
What happens to old conversations after you block
The conversation thread with the blocked person stays in your Messenger list, but it will not show new messages from them. If you want to remove the conversation from your view entirely, you can delete it — but deleting a conversation is not the same as blocking. If you delete without blocking, they can still message you.
If you unblock someone later, the old conversation reappears in your chat list with all the previous messages still there. Nothing is permanently deleted just because you blocked them.
Blocking versus other ways to limit contact
Messenger offers a few different ways to control who reaches you, and they work differently. Muting a conversation silences notifications but lets messages come through — you can read them whenever you want. Restricting someone (available on Facebook itself, not just Messenger) limits what they see on your profile but does not stop them from messaging you. Blocking is the strongest option and stops all contact.
If someone is harassing you, blocking is the right choice. If someone just messages too often and you want peace and quiet, muting might be enough. If you want to keep someone at a distance but do not want to fully block them, restricting them on Facebook is a middle ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
They will not get a notification, but they will likely figure it out when their messages stop going through and you never respond. There is no way to block someone secretly — they will eventually realize something has changed.
Can I block someone without them seeing old messages?
No. Blocking only stops new messages from reaching you. Old messages they sent before the block remain in their chat history. If you want to remove those messages from your view, you can delete the conversation, but that does not erase the messages on their end.
What if I block someone by accident?
You can unblock them anytime from your blocked list in settings. Go to Settings, find "People" or "Blocked," and tap "Unblock" next to their name. They will be able to message you again when ready.
Does blocking on Messenger also block them on Facebook?
No. Blocking on Messenger only affects Messenger. They can still see your Facebook profile, message you on Facebook itself, or interact with your posts — unless you also block them on Facebook separately. The two blocks are independent.
Can someone message me if I block them, then unblock them?
Yes. Once you unblock them, they can message you normally again. They will not see that you unblocked them, but they may notice when their messages start going through.