How to Block Someone on Telegram (and What They See)

Telegram makes it easy for people to find you by username, which is great for growing a community and less great when the wrong person turns up in your chats. Blocking is the cleanest fix. It's quick, it's quiet, and you can reverse it whenever you like.

I'll show you the three places you can block someone on Telegram, exactly what changes for them according to Telegram's own wording, and what blocking doesn't do, which matters if you run a group or channel for your business.

Block someone on Telegram from their profile

This works on every Telegram app and is the route I'd use first:

1. Open the chat with the person, or find them through search.
2. Tap their name or profile picture at the top of the chat to open their profile.
3. Open the menu on their profile (often shown as three dots or a More button).
4. Tap Block user and confirm.

Menus vary by app version, so on some devices Block sits directly on the profile rather than in a menu. Look for the word Block in red.

Block someone on Telegram from your privacy settings

If you'd rather not open the chat at all, block them from settings. Telegram keeps your list here:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Privacy and Security.
3. Tap Blocked Users.
4. Use the option to block a user, then search for the person and select them.

The same Blocked Users screen is where you check who you've already blocked. If the list is empty, Telegram simply shows None.

Blocking a stranger who messages you on Telegram

When someone outside your contacts messages you for the first time, Telegram often shows a bar at the top of the chat with options to block them or report the chat as spam. If the message is clearly unwanted, tapping block there is the fastest way to deal with it. If it looks like a scam, report it as well, so moderators see it.

What a blocked person sees on Telegram

The app's own wording sums up blocking in two sentences: blocked users can't send you messages or add you to groups, and they will not see your profile photos, stories, online and last seen status. Here's what that means in practice:

What changes	According to Telegram
Messages	They can't send you messages
Groups	They can't add you to groups
Profile photos and stories	They won't see them
Online status	They won't see when you're online
Last seen	Telegram's FAQ says blocked users always see a last seen of a long time ago

Telegram doesn't send them an alert that you've blocked them. Some people work it out from the clues above, but the app itself won't announce it.

What blocking someone on Telegram doesn't do

Blocking protects your private chat. It doesn't remove the person from Telegram or from shared spaces. Keep these limits in mind:

• If you're both members of the same group, you'll still be in the group together. Blocking doesn't remove them from it.
• Your old chat history stays on your device unless you delete it.
• Blocking doesn't tell Telegram's moderators anything. If someone is breaking the rules, report them too.
• Anything you post publicly in a channel can still be seen by anyone who visits it.

If anyone is threatening or harassing you, report it to Telegram and, if you're in danger, contact the police.

Blocking bots on Telegram

Bots can get pushy too. The FAQ says you can block a bot the same way you'd block a human user. Some Telegram apps also show a Stop Bot button on the bot's profile, which does the same job.

Telegram's advice is to treat bots like strangers and never share passwords, login codes or bank details with one. If a bot asks for any of those, block it.

Blocking people when you run a Telegram group or channel

For creators and small businesses, a personal block and a group ban are different tools. Blocking someone stops them reaching you directly. To stop them posting in your community, use your admin tools in the group to remove them. I'd do both when someone has been sending you spam in private as well as in your group.

If your customers also reach you on other apps, the steps are a little different on each. My guides to blocking someone on WhatsApp and blocking someone on Facebook cover those.

How to unblock someone on Telegram

1. Open Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Blocked Users.
2. Find the person in the list.
3. Tap their name, or swipe on it, and choose Unblock.

You can also open their profile and tap Unblock there. Once unblocked, they can message you again, but any messages they tried to send while blocked won't suddenly appear.

If you can't block someone on Telegram

• You're in a group profile rather than the person's own profile. Tap their name in the group to open their profile first.
• The option isn't where you expect it. Look in the profile's menu and in Settings, Privacy and Security, Blocked Users.
• The block didn't seem to work from your chat list preview. Open the chat itself and block from the profile instead.
• Your app is out of date. Update Telegram and try again.

If none of those help, Telegram's FAQ and its in-app support are the next stop. I'd also take a screenshot of the person's profile before you block, in case you need to report them later and can't find them again.

Frequently asked questions

How do I block someone on Telegram?

Open their profile, open the menu and tap Block user, then confirm. You can also go to Settings, Privacy and Security, Blocked Users and add them there.

What does someone see when I block them on Telegram?

Telegram says blocked users can't message you or add you to groups, and won't see your profile photos, stories or online status. They'll always see your last seen as a long time ago.

Does Telegram tell someone they've been blocked?

Telegram doesn't send an alert. They may notice the signs, such as your last seen showing a long time ago.

Can I block a bot on Telegram?

Yes. Telegram's FAQ says you block a bot the same way you'd block a person, and some apps show a Stop Bot button too.

Where do I see my blocked list on Telegram?

Go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Blocked Users. From there you can unblock anyone on the list.