- Before you block: a quick check
- Block someone from a chat
- Block someone from their profile or your friends list
- What they see after you block them
- Block, remove friend, mute story or ignore?
- How to unblock someone
- What blocking doesn't do
- When to report them as well
- Staying safe on Snapchat
- Frequently asked questions
To block someone on Snapchat, open your chat with them, tap their name or Bitmoji at the top, tap the three dots, choose Manage Friendship, then tap Block. Snapchat doesn't tell them. They can't snap you, chat with you or see your Story afterwards.
Blocking is quick, quiet and easy to undo. I'll show you how to do it from a chat and from a profile, what the other person sees afterwards, and how blocking differs from the other options Snapchat gives you.
Before you block: a quick check
Ask yourself what you want to happen. If you just want a break, muting their Story or ignoring their snaps is gentler. If someone is making you feel unsafe, don't hesitate. Block first and think about the rest later.
Also check you've got the right person. Lots of people share a first name, so look at the username and Bitmoji before you confirm.
Block someone from a chat
This is the fastest route if they've just sent you something you don't want.
- Open Snapchat and swipe right from the camera to reach your Chats screen.
- Tap the person's name to open the conversation.
- Tap their name or Bitmoji at the top of the chat to open their profile.
- Tap the three dots at the top right.
- Tap Manage Friendship, then tap Block.
- Confirm when Snapchat asks you to.
On some versions you can also press and hold their name in your Chats list and pick the same option from the menu that pops up.
Block someone from their profile or your friends list
Maybe they haven't messaged you, or you want to block a person who keeps appearing in your Quick Add suggestions. Go to their profile instead.
- Tap your Bitmoji or profile icon, then open My Friends. For someone who isn't a friend yet, search for their username.
- Tap their name to open their profile.
- Tap the three dots at the top right.
- Tap Manage Friendship, then Block.
- Confirm the choice.
Snapchat moves its menus around now and then. If a name looks different on your phone, open Settings and search for the word block, or look for the three dots on the person's profile. The steps work the same way on iPhone and Android.
What they see after you block them
Here's what I'd expect, and it's the part most people worry about.
- They don't get a notification. Snapchat doesn't announce a block.
- You disappear from their friends list, and your name won't come up when they search for you.
- They can't send you snaps or chats, and they can't view your Story.
- Any streak between you ends, and the chat will usually vanish from your Chats screen. Save anything you need first.
- They may work out what happened if their snaps stop going through or they can't find you. Snapchat won't confirm it either way.
Group chats are the grey area. If you're both in the same group, you may still see each other's messages there. If that bothers you, leave the group as well.
Planning to keep evidence of something nasty? Take it before you block. If you're unsure how that works, read about whether Snapchat tells people about chat screenshots first.
Block, remove friend, mute story or ignore?
Blocking is the strongest of four options. Pick the lightest one that solves your problem.
| Option | Are they told? | Still friends? | Can they contact you? | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Block | No | No | No | You want no contact at all |
| Remove friend | No | No | Possibly, depending on your Contact Me setting | You've drifted apart but there's no conflict |
| Mute story | No | Yes | Yes | Their posts annoy you but you like them |
| Ignore | No | Yes | Yes, and their snaps still arrive | You just can't be bothered to reply right now |
If your Contact Me setting only allows friends, removing someone works almost like a block. If it allows everyone, they can still reach you, so blocking is safer for anyone who's bothering you.
How to unblock someone
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- Tap your Bitmoji or profile icon.
- Tap the gear icon at the top right to open Settings.
- Scroll down to Account Actions and tap Blocked.
- Find the name and tap the X beside it.
- Confirm when asked.
Unblocking doesn't make you friends again. You'll both need to add each other fresh, and the old streak won't come back.
What blocking doesn't do
Blocking isn't a force field. A determined person can make a new account and find you again. If that happens, block the new one too, keep screenshots of what they've said, and report the account so Snapchat can look at the pattern.
It also can't undo anything that's already happened. Someone who has already saved a snap you sent them may still have it, so be careful what you send in the first place.
When to report them as well
Blocking stops contact. Reporting tells Snapchat there's a problem. If someone is harassing you, sending threats, pushing a scam, sharing nude images or acting as someone they're not, do both. Use the same three-dot menu on their profile or the snap itself and choose Report, then pick the closest reason.
Keep it factual when you report. Say what happened and when, and add any screenshots you took. A clear report gets looked at faster than an angry one.
Children and teenagers should tell a parent or a trusted adult straight away if a message makes them uncomfortable. Nobody should deal with that alone.
Staying safe on Snapchat
- Open Settings and set who can contact you and who can view your Story to My Friends only.
- Only accept friend requests from people you know in real life.
- Don't send money, codes or personal details to anyone you've only met on the app.
- Think before you share your location on the map. Ghost Mode hides it.
- Not sure what the little coloured dots and icons next to names mean? Here's what the green dot means on Snapchat.
Use TikTok as well? Here's what they see when you block someone on TikTok, because the two apps handle it a little differently.
Frequently asked questions
Does Snapchat tell someone when you block them?
No. Snapchat doesn't send a notification when you block someone. They may notice that your name has vanished from their friends list and search results.
Can I block someone who isn't my friend on Snapchat?
Yes. Search for their username or find them in your chat or Quick Add, open their profile, tap the three dots, then choose Manage Friendship and Block.
What's the difference between blocking and removing a friend?
Removing a friend only takes them off your list, and they may still be able to contact you if your settings allow it. Blocking cuts off all contact and hides you from them.
How do I unblock someone on Snapchat?
Go to Settings from your profile, scroll to Account Actions, tap Blocked and press the X beside their name. You'll need to add each other again as friends.
