The fastest way to block someone on Messenger
Open the conversation with the person you want to block. Tap or click their name at the top of the chat. Scroll down to find the "Block" option and tap it. Messenger will ask you to confirm — tap "Block" again. That person can no longer message you, see when you're online, or call you through Messenger.
On desktop, the steps are the same: open the chat, click their name at the top, scroll to "Block", and confirm. The block takes effect immediately.
You can also block someone without opening a conversation with them. On mobile, long-press their name in your chat list, then tap "Block". On desktop, right-click their name in your chat list and select "Block".
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on Messenger stops them from messaging you, seeing your online status, or calling you, but they are not notified that you blocked them.
- You can block someone from an open conversation, from your chat list, or from their profile — all three methods work the same way.
- A blocked person cannot see your profile picture, status, or last seen time, and old messages between you remain in your chat history but cannot be opened by them.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to Settings, selecting "Blocked People", finding their name, and tapping "Unblock".
- Blocking on Messenger does not block them on Facebook itself — those are separate actions.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block someone, they cannot send you new messages. If they try, they will see an error message saying the message could not be sent. They cannot see that you are online, cannot see when you were last active, and cannot call you through Messenger.
The blocked person cannot see your profile picture, your status, or any changes you make to your account. However, messages you sent before blocking them remain in their chat history — they can still read old conversations, but they cannot reply to them or start a new conversation with you.
Importantly, the blocked person is not told that you blocked them. They will only know if they try to message you and see the error, or if they notice they can no longer see your profile or online status.
Blocking from your chat list versus from a profile
The easiest place to block someone is from your chat list, where you see all your conversations. On mobile, long-press the conversation and tap "Block". On desktop, right-click it and select "Block". This is faster if you have not opened the chat in a while.
If you are already in a conversation, tap or click the person's name at the top of the chat. This opens their profile card. Scroll down and tap "Block". This method works the same way but takes one extra step.
You can also block someone from their Facebook profile if you visit it directly. Tap the three dots next to their name and select "Block". This blocks them on both Facebook and Messenger at the same time.
The difference between blocking and muting
Muting is different from blocking. When you mute someone, they can still message you and see that you are online, but you will not get notifications from them. Their messages appear in your chat list, but you can read them whenever you want without being interrupted.
Blocking is stronger: the person cannot contact you at all. Muting is useful when you want to stay connected to someone but do not want constant notifications. Blocking is for when you do not want contact with them.
To mute someone instead, open the conversation, tap their name at the top, and select "Mute Notifications". You can choose to mute them for 15 minutes, 1 hour, 8 hours, 24 hours, or indefinitely.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time. On mobile, go to Settings (the gear icon), tap "Privacy", then "Blocked People". Find the person's name and tap "Unblock".
On desktop, click the gear icon in the top left, select "Settings & Privacy", then "Settings". Click "Privacy" in the left menu, then "Blocked People". Find the person and click "Unblock".
Once you unblock someone, they can message you again and see your online status. However, they will not see messages you sent before you blocked them — those remain hidden from their view.
Blocking on Messenger does not block them on Facebook
Blocking someone on Messenger only blocks them in the Messenger app or website. They can still see your Facebook profile, comment on your posts, and send you friend requests — unless you also block them on Facebook itself.
If you want to block someone completely, you need to block them on both platforms. To block on Facebook, visit their profile, tap the three dots next to their name, and select "Block". This will block them on both Facebook and Messenger.
If you only block them on Messenger, they remain your Facebook friend (if they are one) and can still interact with you there. Many people block on Messenger only when they want to stop a conversation but stay connected on Facebook.
What to do if someone keeps trying to contact you
If someone is harassing you or repeatedly trying to contact you after you have blocked them, you can report them to Meta. Open Messenger, go to Settings, and select "Help & Support". Choose "Report a Problem" and describe what is happening.
You can also take a screenshot of the harassment and report it directly through the Messenger app. Tap the person's name, scroll down, and select "Report". Meta takes reports of harassment seriously and may take action against the account.
If the harassment is severe or involves threats, you can also contact local law enforcement. Keep screenshots and records of all contact attempts, even after blocking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them on Messenger?
They are not notified, but they may figure it out if they try to message you and see an error, or if they notice they cannot see your online status anymore. There is no way for them to know for certain without trying to contact you.
Can I block someone but still see their messages?
No. When you block someone, their new messages do not reach you at all. Old messages from before you blocked them stay in your chat history, but they cannot send you anything new.
If I block someone on Facebook, does it block them on Messenger too?
Yes. Blocking on Facebook automatically blocks them on Messenger as well. However, blocking only on Messenger does not block them on Facebook — you have to do that separately if you want to block them everywhere.
What happens to our old messages when I block someone?
Your old messages stay in your chat history and you can still read them. The blocked person can also still read messages you sent before blocking, but they cannot reply to them or send you new messages.
Can I block someone temporarily and then unblock them later?
Yes. You can unblock someone whenever you want by going to Settings, selecting "Blocked People", finding their name, and tapping "Unblock". There is no time limit on how long you can keep someone blocked.