The fastest way to block someone on Snapchat

Open Snapchat and go to your Friends list. Long-press the person's name, then tap Block from the menu that appears. That's it — they're blocked immediately. You can also block someone from their profile by tapping the three dots in the top right corner and selecting Block User.

Once you block someone, they can't send you messages, see your stories, or call you. They also can't find your profile by searching for your username. If they try to message you, they'll see a message saying the chat couldn't be delivered, but they won't be told directly that you blocked them.

Blocking is permanent until you undo it. You can unblock someone at any time by going to Settings, tapping Blocked, finding their name, and selecting Unblock.

Key Takeaways

  • Long-press a friend's name in your Friends list and tap Block to block them instantly.
  • Blocked users cannot message you, see your stories, call you, or find your profile through search.
  • Snapchat does not notify the blocked person that you blocked them, though they may figure it out if they try to contact you.
  • You can unblock someone anytime through Settings > Blocked, and they'll regain access to your profile and stories.
  • Blocking is different from removing a friend — removing someone just takes them off your Friends list but doesn't prevent them from messaging you.

Block someone from their profile

If you're looking at someone's profile, you can block them without going back to your Friends list. Tap the three dots icon in the top right corner of their profile, then select Block User. A confirmation screen will appear — tap Block again to confirm.

This method works the same way as blocking from your Friends list. The person will be blocked from that moment on, and all the same restrictions apply: no messages, no story visibility, no calls, and no ability to search for your profile.

What happens when you block someone

When you block someone on Snapchat, several things happen right away. Any existing conversation between you and that person stays in your chat list, but they won't be able to send new messages. If they try, they'll see an error saying the message couldn't be delivered.

The blocked person loses access to your Stories and Snaps. If they had saved any of your Stories before you blocked them, those saved items will disappear from their saved folder. They also can't see your Bitmoji, your username, or any of your profile information when they search for you.

Snapchat does not send a notification to the blocked person telling them they've been blocked. However, they may realize it if they try to message you and see the delivery error, or if they notice they can no longer see your profile or Stories.

The difference between blocking and removing a friend

Removing someone from your Friends list is not the same as blocking them. When you remove a friend, they stay on your Friends list but can no longer see your Stories or send you Snaps — however, they can still send you messages and calls. Blocking is much more restrictive.

To remove a friend instead of blocking them, long-press their name in your Friends list and tap Remove Friend. This is useful if you want to limit what someone sees without completely cutting off contact. If you remove someone and they send you a message, you can still see it and respond.

If you want to hide your Stories from one person but keep them as a friend, you can use Snapchat's custom story settings instead. When you post a Story, tap the three dots and select Custom to choose who can see it.

Unblocking someone later

If you change your mind about blocking someone, you can unblock them anytime. Go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right), scroll down and tap Blocked, find the person's name, and tap Unblock. They'll immediately regain access to your profile, Stories, and the ability to message you.

Unblocking someone does not automatically add them back to your Friends list — they'll appear as a regular contact you can add again if you want. Any messages they sent while blocked will not reappear; those conversations are gone. If you unblock them and they message you again, a new conversation will start.

Blocking someone who has already blocked you

If someone blocks you first, you won't be able to see their profile or send them messages. You can still block them if you want, even though they've already blocked you. This prevents them from unblocking you and contacting you later.

To block someone who has blocked you, search for their username. If they've blocked you, you won't see their profile in the normal way, but you may still be able to find them through a group chat or by scrolling through mutual friends. Tap their name and select the three dots to block them.

What to do if someone keeps contacting you

If someone is harassing you or won't stop contacting you after you've blocked them, blocking is your first step. Make sure you've blocked them through the method described above, and check that they haven't created a new account to contact you under a different username.

If the harassment continues from new accounts or escalates, take screenshots of the messages and report the person to Snapchat. Open the conversation, tap the three dots, and select Report. You can also report their account directly from their profile. Snapchat's support team reviews reports of harassment and can take action against accounts that violate their policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the person know I blocked them?

Snapchat does not send a notification when you block someone. However, they may figure it out if they try to message you and see a delivery error, or if they notice they can no longer find your profile or see your Stories. There's no way to block someone completely invisibly.

Can I block someone without them seeing my profile first?

Yes. You can block someone from your Friends list, from their profile, or even from a group chat without them ever having seen your profile. Blocking happens instantly and prevents them from viewing your profile going forward.

If I block someone, will they see my old messages?

No. Once you block someone, they cannot see any of your past messages, Stories, or profile information. The existing conversation will still appear in their chat list, but they won't be able to open it or see what was said.

Can I block someone temporarily?

Blocking is permanent until you unblock them, but you can unblock someone at any time. There's no built-in "temporary block" feature, so if you want to block someone for a set period, you'll need to remember to unblock them manually when you're ready.

What if I block someone by accident?

If you blocked someone by mistake, go to Settings, tap Blocked, find their name, and tap Unblock. They'll immediately regain access to your profile and Stories. You can unblock someone as many times as you need to.