How to block someone on Snapchat
To block someone on Snapchat, open the app and go to your Friends list. Long-press the person's name, then tap "More" (the three dots). Select "Block" from the menu. Snapchat will ask you to confirm — tap "Block" again. That person can no longer send you messages, see your stories, or call you through Snapchat.
You can also block someone from a conversation. Open the chat, tap their name at the top, scroll down, and select "Block User". The steps are the same whether you're on iPhone or Android.
When you block someone, they won't receive a notification that you blocked them. However, they may figure it out if they try to message you and see that their messages aren't going through, or if they notice they can no longer see your profile or stories.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on Snapchat prevents them from messaging you, calling you, or viewing your stories — the block applies across the entire app.
- The person you block won't get a notification, but they can discover the block by trying to contact you or search for your profile.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to Settings, selecting "Blocked", finding their name, and tapping "Unblock".
- Blocking is different from removing a friend — removing a friend keeps them able to message you, while blocking stops all contact.
- If someone is harassing you, blocking them is a first step, but you can also report their account to Snapchat for review.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block someone, they lose access to your profile, stories, and Snap Map location. Any existing conversation between you disappears from your chat list, though the messages themselves aren't deleted from their phone — they just can't see your new activity.
The blocked person cannot add you back as a friend, send you snaps, send you messages, or call you through Snapchat. If they try to search for your username, your profile won't appear in their results. They also won't see you in their Friends list anymore.
One important detail: if you had a group chat with this person and others, blocking them doesn't remove them from the group. They can still see the group conversation and participate in it. If you want to remove them entirely, you need to delete the group and create a new one without them, or ask the group creator to remove them.
The difference between blocking and removing a friend
Removing a friend and blocking are not the same thing. When you remove a friend, they stay able to message you — you just won't see their stories or have them in your Friends list. They can still send you snaps and texts, and you can still receive them.
Blocking is stronger. It cuts off all contact. Use blocking when you want to stop someone from reaching you entirely. Use removing a friend when you just want to clean up your Friends list or stop seeing their stories, but you're okay with them being able to contact you if they need to.
To remove a friend without blocking, long-press their name in your Friends list and tap "Remove Friend". They won't be notified, but they'll notice they're no longer in your Friends list if they check.
How to unblock someone
If you change your mind, you can unblock someone. Go to Settings (tap the gear icon in the top right of the main screen). Scroll down and tap "Blocked". You'll see a list of everyone you've blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and tap their name, then select "Unblock".
Once you unblock someone, they can message you, add you as a friend, and see your stories again — but they won't automatically be added back to your Friends list. They'll have to send you a friend request, and you'll have to accept it.
When to block versus report
Blocking stops someone from contacting you, but it doesn't stop them from using Snapchat or contacting other people. If someone is harassing you, threatening you, or sending you unwanted content, you should block them and also report their account to Snapchat.
To report someone, go to their profile, tap the three dots in the top right, and select "Report". Choose the reason — options include harassment, threats, spam, or sexual content. Snapchat reviews reports and may suspend or delete accounts that violate their terms of service.
If someone is threatening you or you feel unsafe, blocking and reporting are good steps, but you should also consider saving screenshots of the messages and reporting them to local law enforcement if the threats are serious.
Blocking on Snapchat Stories and Snap Map
Blocking affects what someone can see on your Stories and Snap Map. When you block someone, they can no longer view your public or private stories. If you had shared your location on Snap Map, they can no longer see where you are.
Keep in mind that blocking only works within Snapchat. If someone knows your phone number or has your contact information another way, they can still reach you through text, calls, or other apps. Blocking on Snapchat doesn't block them everywhere.
What to do if someone blocks you
If you suspect someone has blocked you, try searching for their username. If their profile doesn't appear and you know the account exists, they may have blocked you. You can also try sending them a message — if it doesn't go through and shows no delivery status, that's another sign.
There's no way to see a list of people who have blocked you on Snapchat. The app doesn't notify you or show you this information. If you think someone has blocked you and you need to contact them, try reaching out through another platform or asking a mutual friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone tell if I blocked them?
Snapchat doesn't send a notification when you block someone. However, they may figure it out if they try to message you, search for your profile, or notice they can no longer see your stories. There's no way for them to know for certain without trying to contact you.
If I block someone, can they still see old messages we sent?
The old messages stay on their phone, but they disappear from your chat list. They can still read the messages they received from you, but they can't send you new ones or see your new activity. The conversation is hidden from your view, not deleted from theirs.
What if I block someone by accident?
Go to Settings, tap "Blocked", find the person's name, and tap "Unblock". They'll be able to message you and add you as a friend again. They won't know you blocked them in the first place, so there's no awkwardness in unblocking.
Does blocking someone on Snapchat block them on other apps?
No. Blocking on Snapchat only affects Snapchat. They can still message you on Instagram, text you, call you, or contact you through any other app or platform. If you need to block someone across multiple apps, you'll need to block them separately on each one.
Can I block someone without them knowing I removed them as a friend first?
Yes. You can block someone directly without removing them as a friend first. The block happens immediately, and they won't receive a notification. They may notice they can't reach you, but Snapchat doesn't tell them why.