To block someone on Instagram, open their profile, tap the three dots at the top right and tap Block. Or open your chat with them, tap their name at the top of the conversation and tap Block. Instagram doesn't send them a notification.
Whichever route you use, Instagram asks one more question before it blocks: do you want to block just this account, or this account and any other accounts the person may have or create? If someone's been bothering you, the second option is the one I'd pick. It stops them simply opening a fresh account and starting again.
Both routes end in the same place, so use whichever is closer to where you are. If you're looking at their comment, a like or their profile, block from the profile. If they've just sent you something unpleasant, block straight from the chat.
Steps to block from their profile
- Open Instagram and tap the search icon, then type their username. You can also tap their name on a comment, a like or in your followers list.
- Open their profile.
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
- Tap Block.
- Choose 'Block [their name]' to block only this account, or 'Block [their name] and other accounts they may have or create' to cover any other accounts too.
- Tap Block again to confirm.
Their profile now shows an Unblock button where the Follow button used to be. That's how you can tell the block went through, and it's also how you'd undo it later.
Steps to block from a DM chat
- Open your messages from the home screen.
- Open the conversation with the person you want to block.
- Tap their name or username at the top of the chat.
- Scroll down and tap Block.
- Pick whether to block just this account or their other accounts as well, then confirm.
Blocking from the chat stops any new messages from that account. If you think you'll need a copy of what they've already sent, screenshot the conversation before you block, just to be safe. You can always delete the screenshots later if you don't need them.
What changes for them, and what changes for you
A block works in both directions. Here's what happens on each side the moment you confirm it.
| What changes for them | What changes for you |
|---|---|
| They can't find your profile in search | You stop following them, so their posts and stories leave your feed |
| They can't see your posts, Reels or story | Their past likes and comments disappear from your posts |
| They can't send you messages | They're listed in your blocked list until you unblock them |
| They stop following you | Nothing is announced on your profile |
| They aren't sent any notification | You can unblock them at any time |
Instagram doesn't tell them about the block, but people can sometimes work it out, for example when your profile stops showing up for them or a chat goes quiet. If you've ever wondered how it looks from their side, I've explained how to know if someone blocked you on Instagram.
To see everyone you've blocked, go to your profile, open the menu, then Settings, and look for Blocked. If a menu name looks different in your version of the app, search Settings for the word 'Blocked'. The list is also where you'd go to unblock someone without having to find their profile first.
The catch: screenshot before you block
This is the part most people only find out afterwards. Blocking someone removes their past likes and comments from your posts, and unblocking them later doesn't bring those comments back.
That matters if you're being harassed. The nasty comments you want gone are also your evidence. So before you block, screenshot each comment with their username showing, plus the post it sits under. Do the same with any messages. Then block.
If someone threatens you, don't stop at blocking. Report the account as well, from the three dots on their profile or by pressing and holding the comment or message. Blocking keeps them away from you. Reporting tells Instagram, and Instagram can act on the account itself. If you feel you're in danger, talk to someone you trust and contact the police where you live.
Block, restrict, mute or remove: which one fits?
Blocking is the strongest of Instagram's four tools, and it isn't always the one you need. Here's how they compare.
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- Block: they can't find you, message you or follow you. It's the one for anyone who makes you feel unsafe or won't leave you alone.
- Restrict: they don't know you've done it. Their new comments on your posts only show to them, and their messages go to your requests. It suits someone you can't fully cut off, like a classmate or a colleague.
- Mute: you stop seeing their posts or stories, and they have no idea. It's the polite option for a friend who simply posts a lot.
- Remove follower: on a private account, they lose access to your posts without a block. It's a quiet clear-out. Here's how to remove followers on Instagram without blocking.
One more layer worth knowing about: a block only covers the accounts you've blocked. If your account is public, your posts are still public to everyone else, including any friends you share. If that worries you, switching to a private account means only followers you approve can see your posts and stories, which adds a second wall on top of the block.
A quick way to choose: if the problem is how you feel when you see their posts, mute. If the problem is what they say to you, restrict. If the problem is them, block.
If it were my account
If someone was making me uncomfortable, I'd screenshot anything I might need, then block them and pick the option that covers their other accounts too. If it was only mild irritation, I'd mute or restrict and save blocking for people who've earned it.
If you change your mind later, here's how to unblock someone on Instagram. Just remember their old comments won't come back, and they won't automatically follow you again.
Frequently asked questions
Does Instagram tell someone when you block them?
No. Instagram doesn't send a notification when you block someone. They may notice they can't find your profile or message you, but they aren't told.
Do you stop following each other when you block someone?
Yes. A block removes the follow in both directions: they stop following you and you stop following them. If you unblock later, you'd both need to follow again.
Do their comments come back if I unblock them?
No. Blocking removes their past likes and comments from your posts, and unblocking doesn't restore them. Screenshot anything you want to keep before you block.
What if they make a new account after I block them?
If you chose the option to block other accounts they may have or create, Instagram also blocks new accounts it links to that person. If you only blocked one account, a new one could still find you, so pick the wider option if that worries you.
Where can I see the accounts I've blocked?
Go to your profile, open the menu, then Settings and Blocked. If the name looks different, search Settings for 'Blocked'.
