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 "Block" from the menu that appears. Confirm when prompted. That person can no longer send you messages, view your stories, or see that you're online. They won't receive a notification that you blocked them, but they'll notice they can't message you or find your profile if they search for it.
You can also block someone from their profile. Tap their name in your Friends list, select the three dots in the top right corner, and choose "Block." The steps are the same whether you block from the Friends list or their individual profile — the result is identical.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone on Snapchat prevents them from messaging you, viewing your stories, and seeing your online status.
- The blocked person won't get a notification, but they'll see they can't find your profile or send you messages.
- You can block from your Friends list by long-pressing a name, or from someone's profile using the three-dot menu.
- Blocking is different from removing a friend — removing just deletes them from your list, but they can still message you unless you block them.
- You can unblock someone at any time by going to Settings, selecting "Blocked," finding their name, and tapping "Unblock."
What happens when you block someone
Once you block someone, they lose access to several things. They can't send you Snaps or messages. They can't see your stories or your Snap Map location. They can't see when you're active on the app. If they try to search for your username, your profile won't appear in results.
The blocked person can still see old conversations you had before the block, but they can't reply to them. If you had a group chat together, they remain in the group, but they won't see new messages you send to that group. Blocking only affects one-on-one communication and your visibility to that person.
The difference between blocking and removing a friend
Removing a friend and blocking are not the same thing. When you remove someone as a friend, they disappear from your Friends list, but they can still send you messages and view your public stories. You've just deleted them from your contacts — the door is still open for them to reach you.
Blocking closes that door entirely. A blocked person cannot message you at all, and they cannot see your stories unless your account is set to public and they view your profile directly (which they won't be able to find). If you want to stop someone from contacting you, blocking is the stronger action. If you just want to clean up your Friends list, removing is enough.
How to block someone from a group chat
You can block someone even if you're in a group chat together. Long-press their name in the group conversation and select "Block." They'll stay in the group, but they won't see messages you send after the block takes effect. They also won't see your stories or be able to message you privately.
Blocking someone from a group chat doesn't remove them from the group — only the group admin can do that. If you want them completely out of the conversation, you'll need to ask the group admin to remove them, or you can leave the group yourself.
How to unblock someone
To unblock someone, open Snapchat and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). 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 again and see your stories. They won't know you unblocked them. If they try to send you a message while you have them blocked, that message won't go through — they'll have to try again after you unblock them.
Blocking on Snapchat vs. other platforms
Snapchat's blocking works similarly to other social apps but with some differences. On Instagram or Facebook, a blocked person can't find your profile at all and can't see your past posts. On Snapchat, they can still see old conversations and group chats you're both in — they just can't interact with you going forward.
Snapchat also doesn't notify the blocked person, while some other platforms make it more obvious. This means the person might not realize they're blocked until they try to message you or search for your profile. If privacy is your main concern, Snapchat's blocking is fairly discreet.
What to do if someone keeps trying to contact you
If someone is harassing you or won't stop contacting you after you block them, you have options beyond blocking. You can report them to Snapchat by opening their profile (if possible), tapping the three dots, and selecting "Report." Describe what's happening, and Snapchat's team will review it.
If the harassment is severe or involves threats, you can also contact local law enforcement. Take screenshots of the messages before blocking, since they may be useful if you need to report the behavior. Snapchat takes reports of harassment seriously and may suspend or remove accounts that violate their policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
They won't get a notification, but they'll figure it out when they can't find your profile, message you, or see your stories. If they search for your username and it doesn't appear, or if their messages say "pending" indefinitely, they'll know something is wrong.
Can I block someone without them seeing old messages?
No. Blocking only stops future communication. Old conversations remain visible to both of you, and they can still see messages in group chats you were both in before the block. If you want to delete a conversation, you'll need to do that separately.
What if I block someone by accident?
You can unblock them immediately by going to Settings, tapping "Blocked," finding their name, and selecting "Unblock." There's no waiting period. They won't know you blocked them in the first place if you unblock quickly.
Can someone block me back if I block them first?
Yes. Blocking is one-way — you can block someone who hasn't blocked you, and they can block you independently. If you're both blocked, neither of you can message the other or see each other's stories.
Does blocking someone remove them from my Friends list?
Yes. When you block someone, they're automatically removed from your Friends list. If you unblock them later, you'll need to add them as a friend again if you want to see their stories or send them Snaps.