How to Unblock Someone on Facebook

To unblock someone on Facebook, open Settings and Privacy, go to Settings, select Blocking, find the person’s name in your blocked list, and click Unblock next to their name.

Step by step: unblocking on the app

1. Open the Facebook app and tap the menu icon, usually three horizontal lines.
2. Scroll down and tap “Settings & privacy,” then “Settings.”
3. Tap “Blocking,” found under the “Audience and visibility” section.
4. Under “Block users,” find the person’s name in the list.
5. Tap “Unblock” next to their name and confirm.

Step by step: unblocking on desktop

1. Click the small arrow or your profile icon in the top right corner.
2. Select “Settings & privacy,” then “Settings.”
3. Click “Blocking” in the left hand menu.
4. Find the person under “Block users” and click “Unblock.”
5. Confirm the action when prompted.

What happens right after you unblock someone

A few things change immediately, and a few things do not come back automatically:

Facebook’s 48 hour waiting rule

One detail catches many people off guard: after you unblock someone, Facebook prevents you from blocking that exact same person again for 48 hours. This rule exists to stop people from repeatedly blocking and unblocking someone as a way to check on their profile without them noticing, so plan accordingly if you are unsure and might want to reverse the decision quickly.

Common mistakes and things to check first

• Unblocking does not automatically restore your friendship, so if you want to reconnect, you or the other person will need to send a new friend request.
• If you cannot find someone in your blocked list, double check you are searching the correct account, especially if you manage multiple profiles or a business Page.
• Blocking and unblocking someone repeatedly in a short period can trigger Facebook’s spam detection systems, temporarily limiting your account’s actions.
• Unblocking does not restore old comments or tags that were removed while the block was active.

When to unblock instead of just ignoring someone

If a block was meant to be temporary, such as during a heated disagreement, unblocking is straightforward once things have cooled down. For ongoing unwanted contact, consider whether “Restrict” or “Snooze” might suit the situation better than a full unblock, since both let you stay technically connected while limiting what that person sees or how often their posts appear, without going through the block and unblock cycle at all.

Unblocking on a mobile browser instead of the app

If you are using Facebook through a mobile web browser rather than the app, the steps are nearly identical: open the menu, go to “Settings & privacy,” then “Settings,” and look for “Blocking” under the privacy section. The layout may shift slightly depending on your browser and screen size, but the “Blocking” option and the list of blocked users are always reachable from the main settings page.