How to Block Someone on Messenger (Phone and Computer)

Blocking someone on Messenger is one of those jobs that sounds simple until you open the chat and see two different options staring back at you. One stops their messages and calls. The other blocks them across the whole of Facebook. I'll walk you through both, explain what each one changes, and show you how to undo it if you change your mind. Meta moves its menus around between app versions, so if a label on your screen looks slightly different, look for the word Block in the same place.

The two Messenger block options side by side

Option	What it stops	What stays the same
Block messages and calls	Their messages and calls reaching you on Messenger and Facebook chat	You can still see each other's Facebook profiles
Block on Facebook	Messages, calls, finding your profile, tagging you and adding you as a friend	Nothing carries on: if you're friends, you're unfriended

Most people only need the first option. It's the quiet one: the conversation stops, but nobody's Facebook friendship changes. The second is the full block, and it's the right call for harassment, scams or anyone you never want to cross paths with again online.

How to block someone on Messenger in the phone app

1. Open the Messenger app and go to your Chats.
2. Open the conversation with the person you want to block.
3. Tap their name or profile picture at the top of the chat.
4. Scroll down to the privacy section and tap Block.
5. Choose Block messages and calls, or Block on Facebook, then confirm.

That's it. The chat stays in your list unless you delete it, but new messages and calls from that person won't come through.

How to block someone on Messenger from a computer

1. Go to messenger.com, or open the Messenger icon on Facebook and expand the chat.
2. Open the conversation with the person.
3. Open the information panel on the right of the chat.
4. Under Privacy and support, choose Block.
5. Pick Block messages and calls or Block on Facebook, and confirm.

What the other person sees after a Messenger block

• They aren't sent a notification telling them you've blocked them.
• They can't message or call you on Messenger or Facebook chat.
• Your earlier conversation isn't deleted by the block. If you don't want it, delete it yourself.
• If you only blocked messages and calls, you can both still see each other's Facebook profiles.
• If you used Block on Facebook and you were friends, the friendship ends too.

People often ask me whether a blocked person can tell. There's no message announcing it, but they may notice their messages aren't getting through or that they can't call you. If you're worried about how they'll react, that's a sign the full block and a report might be the safer route.

Blocking on Messenger vs ignoring or muting a chat

Blocking isn't your only tool, and for a pushy contact or a noisy group chat it can be more than you need.

• Mute silences notifications from a chat, but messages still arrive.
• Ignore messages moves the conversation out of your main chat list without blocking the person.
• Restrict on Facebook is a quieter middle ground for people on your friends list.
• Block stops contact altogether.

If the person is a Facebook friend and you'd rather not see their posts either, it's worth reading my guide to blocking someone on Facebook too, because the full block covers the rest of the site.

Using the Messenger block as a business or Page owner

If you run a business Page, you'll get your share of spam and the odd difficult customer in your inbox. Blocking a person from messaging your Page works from the Page's inbox in a similar way: open the conversation, find the person's details and choose to block them. Before you do, I'd suggest saving any details you need for your records, especially if there's a complaint you still want to resolve another way. For outright scams, report the conversation as well as blocking, so Meta can act on the account and not just your inbox.

How to unblock someone on Messenger later

1. Open Messenger and tap your profile picture or the menu.
2. Go to Settings, then Privacy and safety (it may say Privacy on older versions).
3. Tap Blocked accounts.
4. Choose the person and tap Unblock, then confirm.

On a computer, you can usually open the old chat, where you'll see a note saying you've blocked messages from this person, with an Unblock option. If you used Block on Facebook, unblocking happens from Facebook's blocking settings, and I've covered that in the steps to unblock someone on Facebook. Unblocking doesn't restore a friendship you ended: you'd need to send a new friend request.

If you can't find the Block option on Messenger

• Update the Messenger app, because older versions put Block in different places.
• Make sure you're in a one-to-one chat. In a group chat, you block a person from their profile in the members list, or you leave the group.
• Check you're signed in to the right account if you manage more than one.
• On a computer, widen the window so the information panel shows.
• If the option's greyed out, close and reopen the app, then try again.

When to report as well as block on Messenger

Block when you simply don't want contact. Report when someone's sending threats, scams, nude images, hate or impersonating someone. Reporting sends the conversation to Meta to review, and you can report and block in one go from the same menu. If anyone threatens your safety, report it to the platform and, if you're in danger, contact the police. Keep screenshots before you delete anything.

Frequently asked questions

Does someone know if you block them on Messenger?

They don't get a notification. They may notice their messages and calls aren't reaching you, but Messenger doesn't announce the block.

Does blocking on Messenger delete the conversation?

No. Your past messages stay in the chat until you delete them yourself.

Can a blocked person still see my Facebook profile?

If you chose Block messages and calls, yes. If you chose Block on Facebook, they can't find or view your profile.

Does blocking on Messenger unfriend someone?

Blocking messages and calls doesn't. Blocking them on Facebook does, if you were friends.

Can I block someone in a Messenger group chat?

You can block the person, but you'll still both be members of the group. To stop seeing the group, leave it.