How to block someone on TikTok
To block someone on TikTok, open their profile, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select "Block" from the menu. The person will no longer be able to see your videos, find your profile through search, or send you direct messages. They won't receive a notification that you blocked them, but they may notice if they try to visit your profile and see a message saying the account is private or unavailable.
You can block someone from their profile, from a comment they left on your video, or from a direct message. The steps are slightly different depending where you start, but the result is the same — they lose access to your content and can't contact you through the app.
Key Takeaways
- Blocking someone prevents them from viewing your profile, finding you in search, commenting on your videos, and sending you direct messages.
- The blocked person won't see a notification that you blocked them, but they will see an error message if they try to visit your profile.
- You can block someone from their profile, from a comment, or from a direct message — the result is identical.
- If you change your mind, you can unblock someone at any time through your privacy settings, and they'll have full access again.
- Blocking is different from muting: muting hides someone's videos from your feed without preventing them from seeing your content.
Block someone from their TikTok profile
The most direct way to block someone is to visit their profile and use the menu. Open the person's profile, then tap the three vertical dots in the top right corner of the screen. A menu will appear with several options. Select "Block" from that menu.
After you tap "Block," TikTok will ask you to confirm. A pop-up will say something like "Block [username]?" with options to "Cancel" or "Block." Tap "Block" to confirm. Once you do, the person is blocked immediately.
Block someone from a comment or direct message
If someone leaves a comment on your video that bothers you, you don't have to visit their profile to block them. Long-press or swipe on the comment, and a menu will appear. Select "Block" from that menu. This blocks them from their comment without opening their full profile.
You can also block someone from a direct message conversation. Open the message thread, tap the three dots in the top right corner of the conversation, and select "Block." This blocks them and closes the conversation.
What happens when you block someone
Once you block someone, they can no longer see your profile, your videos, or your follower and following lists. If they search for your username, your profile won't appear in the results. They can't comment on your videos, like your content, or send you direct messages.
The blocked person won't receive a notification saying you blocked them. However, if they try to visit your profile directly (by typing your username into the search bar or clicking an old link), they'll see a message indicating the account is unavailable or private. This may tip them off that they've been blocked, but TikTok doesn't explicitly tell them.
Unblock someone if you change your mind
If you decide you want to unblock someone, go to your account settings. Tap the profile icon in the bottom right, then tap the three horizontal lines (the menu icon) in the top right. Scroll down and select "Privacy and safety," then tap "Blocked accounts."
You'll see a list of everyone you've blocked. Find the person you want to unblock and tap the "Unblock" button next to their name. Once you unblock them, they'll have full access to your profile and content again. They won't be notified that you unblocked them.
Blocking versus muting: which one you need
Blocking and muting are two different tools that do different things. Blocking prevents someone from seeing your content and contacting you. Muting hides their videos from your own feed without affecting what they can see from you. They can still view your profile, comment on your videos, and send you messages — you just won't see their content in your feed.
Use blocking when you want to cut off contact with someone entirely. Use muting when you simply don't want to see their videos but don't need to prevent them from interacting with you. You can mute someone by visiting their profile, tapping the three dots, and selecting "Mute" instead of "Block."
What to do if someone blocks you
If someone blocks you, you won't see a notification about it. You'll only discover it if you try to visit their profile or search for them. When you try to view a blocked account, you'll see a message saying the account is unavailable or that the user doesn't exist. You won't be able to see their videos, send them messages, or interact with their content in any way.
There's no way to see a list of people who have blocked you on TikTok. If you suspect someone has blocked you, the only way to confirm is to search for their username or try to visit their profile. If you see the unavailable message, they've either blocked you, deleted their account, or made their account private — TikTok doesn't distinguish between these scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know I blocked them?
TikTok doesn't send a notification when you block someone. However, if they try to visit your profile, they'll see an error message that may make them suspect they've been blocked. They won't know for certain unless they ask someone else to check your profile.
Can I block someone without them seeing my profile first?
Yes. You can block someone from a comment they left, from a direct message, or by searching for their username and blocking them from their profile. You don't need them to follow you or interact with you first.
If I block someone, will they see my old comments on their videos?
No. Once you block someone, any comments you left on their videos will be hidden from their view. They won't see your past interactions, and you won't be able to leave new ones.
Can I block someone temporarily and then unblock them later?
Yes. You can unblock someone at any time through your blocked accounts list in privacy settings. When you unblock them, they regain full access to your profile and content immediately.
What's the difference between blocking and reporting?
Blocking prevents someone from seeing your content and contacting you. Reporting sends a complaint to TikTok's moderation team if someone is breaking the platform's rules — for example, if they're harassing you or posting harmful content. You can do both, but they serve different purposes.