How to Unblock Someone on Facebook in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

Sometimes we block people on Facebook because we are angry or need space. Later, we change our minds. Maybe you want to talk again. Maybe you need to see their posts for family or work reasons. Maybe you just feel ready to move on. Whatever the reason, learning how to unblock someone on Facebook is easy when you know the steps.

Why Do People Block Someone on Facebook?

People block for many normal reasons:

• An ex-partner hurt them.
• A friend said something very mean.
• Family arguments got too big.
• Someone kept sending too many messages.
• They just wanted quiet time away from certain people.

Blocking feels good in the moment. It makes the person disappear from your Facebook world. You feel safe and in control. But feelings change. Time passes. People grow up. Kids need both parents to talk. Work needs old contacts. Or you simply stop feeling angry. When that happens, most people search “how to unblock someone on Facebook” and find their way back.

You are not weak for unblocking. You are just human.

Important Rule: You cannot Block Them Again for 48 Hours

Facebook has one big rule you must know before you start. After you unblock someone, you cannot block them again for two full days.

This rule stops people from blocking and unblocking over and over to hurt or scare someone. Facebook made this rule stronger in 2023, and it is still here in 2025.

So ask yourself: Am I really okay with this person seeing my profile for at least two days? If the answer is no, do not unblock yet. Wait until you feel calm and sure.

How to Unblock Someone on Facebook App (Phone or Tablet)

Most people use the Facebook app on their phone. Here are the exact steps that work today.

1. Open the Facebook app.
2. Tap your small profile picture. It is at the bottom right on iPhone or the top right on Android.
3. Scroll down and tap Settings & Privacy.
4. Tap Settings.
5. Scroll down until you see Audience and Visibility.
6. Tap Blocking.
7. You will now see your full list of blocked people.
8. Find the name you want. You can scroll or use the search box at the top.
9. Tap the blue Unblock button next to their name.
10. Facebook will show a warning about the 48-hour rule.
11. Tap Unblock again to confirm.

That’s it. The person is now unblocked. The app will not send them any message. They will not get a notification. Only you know you did it.

How to Unblock Someone on Computer (facebook.com)

Some people like using Facebook on a laptop or desktop. The steps are almost the same.

1. Go to facebook.com and log in.
2. Click your small profile picture in the top right corner.
3. Click Settings & Privacy.
4. Click Settings.
5. Look at the left side menu and click Privacy.
6. Scroll down and click Blocking.
7. Click to see your blocked list.
8. Find the person’s name.
9. Click the blue Unblock button next to their name.
10. Read the 48-hour warning and click Unblock again.

Finished. It takes less than one minute.

Fastest Way: Unblock Straight from Their Profile

This is the quickest method if you remember their name.

1. Open the Facebook app or website.
2. Use the search bar at the top.
3. Type their exact name.
4. When their profile picture shows up, tap or click it.
5. On their profile, look for three dots (…) usually near the Message button.
6. Tap the three dots.
7. Choose Block or Unblock (it will say Unblock if they are blocked).
8. Tap Unblock and confirm.

This way takes only 10 to 20 seconds when you know the name.

How to Unblock in Messenger

Sometimes you block the person only in Messenger, or you want to be extra sure.

1. Open the Messenger app.
2. Tap your profile picture in the top left or top right.
3. Tap Privacy & Safety.
4. Tap Blocked accounts.
5. Find the person in the list.
6. Tap Unblock.

Now they can message you again. Old chats will come back. Be ready for that.

What Happens After You Unblock Someone?

Many people worry about this part. Here is exactly what changes:

• They can now find you when they search your name
• They can see anything you post as Public
• They can see posts where friends tag you (if those posts are public)
• They cannot see your old private posts from when they were blocked
• You are not friends again automatically. Someone has to send a new friend request
• They do not get a notification that you unblocked them
• Old Messenger conversations will appear again in your chat list
• If you had mutual friends, the person might notice you in the mutual friends list

Most of the time, the person never knows you unblocked them unless they were checking your profile every week while blocked.

Will They Know I Unblocked Them?

Short answer: Probably not. Facebook is very careful. They do not send “John unblocked you” messages. The only ways they might guess:

• They tried to find your profile often, and suddenly can see it
• You show up in their People You May Know
• They see your comments on mutual friends’ posts
• They notice they can message you again

If the person is normal and not obsessed, they will never know.

Better Choice Sometimes: Use Restrict Instead of Block

Facebook has a softer choice called Restrict. It is perfect when you are not ready to fully unblock, but also don’t want a full block.

When you restrict someone:

• They stay as your friend
• They can only see your Public posts
• Their comments on your posts are hidden from everyone except them
• They never know you restricted them

How to restrict:

1. Go to their profile
2. Tap the three dots
3. Choose Restrict

Many people use this for family members they must stay connected to, but don’t want to see everything.

Common Mistakes People Make When Unblocking

1. Unblocking the wrong person because names are similar. Always check the profile picture and city.
2. Forgetting about the 48-hour rule and getting upset when they message right away.
3. Thinking you become friends again automatically. You don’t.
4. Panicking when very old messages come back in Messenger.
5. Unblocking on phone but checking on computer and thinking it didn’t work (it just takes a minute to update).

These mistakes happen to everyone. Don’t worry, you can fix them.

Clean Your Block List Once a Year

Your blocked list is like an old box of angry memories. Some people have 50, 100, or even 300 names on their list from years ago. Take one evening every year and go through it. Ask yourself for each name:

• Do I even remember why I blocked this person?
• Are they still a danger to me?
• Would unblocking hurt me today?

You will be surprised by how many names no longer matter. Unblock them and feel lighter. Keeping old blocks from 2015 or 2018 is like carrying heavy rocks in your pocket. Let them go when you are ready.

FAQs

Final Words!

Learning how to unblock someone on Facebook is a small thing. But it can feel big. It can mean forgiving someone. It can mean forgiving yourself. It can mean growing up a little more. You do not have to explain your choice to anyone. You do not have to be friends again. You only have to do what feels right for you today.

And if they start acting badly again after you unblock? Wait two days and block them one more time. You are always in control. You’ve got this. Take a deep breath, open the app, and set yourself free from one old anger today.