How to Restrict Someone on Facebook Without Unfriending

The Restricted list is Facebook's quiet compromise. It's for the boss, the nosy relative or the client you accepted as a friend and now slightly regret. You stay friends, nobody gets offended, and your everyday posts stay out of their view. I like it because it solves an awkward social problem without a confrontation.

Add a friend to your Facebook Restricted list on the app

Menus vary by app version, and Facebook's own wording differs between platforms. The route most guides based on Facebook's help pages describe is:

1. Open the Facebook app and go to your friend's profile.
2. Tap the Friends button under their name.
3. Tap Edit friend list. On some versions this is called Edit friend lists or Add to list.
4. Tap Restricted so it's ticked, then go back.

Restrict a Facebook friend from a computer

1. Go to facebook.com and open your friend's profile.
2. Click Friends near the top of their profile.
3. Click Edit friend list.
4. Tick Restricted and close the box.

To see or manage everyone you've restricted, use a computer. Some guides point to Friends, then Custom lists, then Restricted, while others find it under Settings and privacy, then Settings, then Blocking. Menus vary by account, so check both. At least one guide reports that the app doesn't show the full list, so a computer or your phone's browser in desktop mode is the safer bet.

What a restricted Facebook friend can still see

Once someone's on your Restricted list, they stay on your friends list but only see:

• Posts you share with the Public audience.
• Posts you tag them in.
• Posts where a mutual friend tags both of you.

Facebook doesn't notify them, and nothing on your profile says they're restricted. You'll still see their posts in your feed unless you unfollow them too.

So the Restricted list is only as strong as your post audience. If you post publicly by habit, a restricted friend sees everything. Set your default audience to Friends, and avoid tagging them, and it'll work the way you expect. For a wider look at those settings, see my guide to locking your Facebook profile from strangers.

Restricted list or block: choosing the right Facebook restriction

Question	Restricted list	Block
Do you stay friends?	Yes, nothing changes	No, the friendship ends
Are they told?	No notification	No notification either
Do they see your friends-only posts?	Hidden from them	Hidden, along with your profile
Do they see your public posts?	Yes	Not on Facebook while blocked
Do you still see their posts?	Yes, unless you unfollow	No

If someone is making you feel unsafe, the Restricted list isn't enough. Use my guide on how to block someone on Facebook, report the behaviour to the platform and, if you're in danger, contact the police.

A note on names: Messenger has its own Restrict option, which works on chats and is managed separately inside Messenger. It isn't the same thing as the Facebook Restricted list, even though the words sound alike.

Everyday situations where restricting a Facebook friend helps

I find the Restricted list makes most sense when the relationship matters more than the content. A few situations where people tell me it's saved them an awkward conversation:

• Your manager or a new colleague sent a friend request and turning it down felt rude.
• A relative comments on everything you post and you'd like a bit of breathing room.
• An ex-partner is still on your list and you're not ready to unfriend, but you don't want them seeing your weekends.
• A client sent a request, and you'd rather keep your personal life personal while you're still working together.

In each case nothing visible changes for them. They don't lose access to you entirely, they just see the public version of you. If the situation changes, you can untick Restricted later.

Why restricting suits business owners who mix work and personal

If you've accepted friend requests from clients, suppliers or people from your industry, the Restricted list lets you keep the connection without sharing family photos or late-night opinions with them. Pair it with a business Page for the things you do want them to see. I'd also consider hiding who's in your network, which I cover in my guide to hiding your friends list on Facebook.

When the Restricted option won't appear on Facebook

• The person has to be your friend. You can't add someone you're only following, or someone who isn't connected to you.
• Look for Edit friend list or Add to list rather than the word Restrict, because the label differs between versions.
• Try a computer if the app doesn't show the option.
• Update the app, as older versions move the menu around.

One more thing worth knowing: restricting someone doesn't hide your profile from them. They can still visit it, and whatever's visible to the public there, such as your profile picture, cover photo and public posts, stays visible to them. Review what's public on your profile before relying on the Restricted list to keep things private.

Taking a friend off your Facebook Restricted list

Go back to their profile, tap Friends, then Edit friend list, and untick Restricted. They'll be able to see your friends-only posts again. Facebook doesn't send them a notification either way.

Frequently asked questions

Does someone know if you restrict them on Facebook?

No. Facebook doesn't notify them and nothing on your profile shows it.

Can a restricted friend see my public posts?

Yes. Restricted friends see anything you share as Public, plus posts they're tagged in.

Is Facebook's Restricted list the same as Messenger's Restrict?

No. Messenger's Restrict works on chats and is managed separately inside Messenger.

Can I restrict someone who isn't my friend?

No. The Restricted list only works for friends. For anyone else, use your post audience, blocking or reporting.

Can a restricted friend still comment on my public posts?

Restricting doesn't hide your public posts from them, so they can still see those. If you need to stop all interaction, blocking is the stronger tool.

Will I still see a restricted friend's posts?

Yes, unless you also unfollow them. Restricting only changes what they see of you.