How to Unblock or Block Someone on Instagram (Desktop & Mobile)

This wikiHow guide teaches you how to block someone on Instagram, and unblock someone you've already blocked. You can perform both actions on the Instagram app for Android, iPhone, and iPad, as well as on the Instagram website when using a computer. If you're being harassed by someone who makes new accounts when you block them, consider reporting them and making your account private. You cannot unblock yourself from another user's block list.

Blocking & Unblocking on Instagram: Quick Steps

Go to a user's profile.
Click/tap the three-dot menu icon.
Click/tap Block.
Click/tap Block again to confirm.
To unblock in your settings, tap Blocked, select the user, and tap Unblock.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Blocking on Mobile from a Profile

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1
Go to a user's profile. Scroll through the home page until you find a user you want to block and tap their profile picture.
- You can also tap Search at the bottom of the screen and type in their name or username to find their profile.
A menu with a number of actions will pop up on your screen.

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The button has red text, and it's the second one from the top.
4
Tap Block a second time to confirm. Doing so will add the user to your profile's "Blocked Users" list, meaning that they won't be able to see your profile or comments.^{[1]
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- On Android, tap Yes, I'm sure when prompted.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Blocking on Mobile from a Chat

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This button has a chat bubble with a squiggle/zig zag.
If you haven't chatted with this user, there should still be an empty chat with them at the bottom of the chats page under Suggestions.
Alternatively, you can click View profile and block them using the steps to block from a profile.
This is the fourth option in the horizontal list of buttons under the user's name, and it has a three-dot icon.
It's the second option on the list.
This user will now be on your blocked users list.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Unblocking on Mobile

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1
Tap your profile tab
. It's in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will open your profile page.
- If you have more than one Instagram profile signed in, this profile tab will resemble your profile picture instead.
It's on the upper-right side of the window. A pop-out menu will appear.
It's under the "Who can see your content" heading.
4
Tap Unblock next to the person you want to unblock. Doing so immediately unblocks the person.
- On Android, you'll tap Yes, I'm sure after tapping Unblock to confirm your choice.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Blocking on Desktop from a Profile

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1
Select a user to block. Scroll through your homepage until you find someone you want to block, then click their profile name to go to their account page.
- You can also type their username or profile name into the search bar at the top of the Instagram page and then click their profile in the resulting drop-down menu.
You'll see this icon at the top of the person's profile, to the right of their name. A menu will appear.
It's at the top of the menu, with red text.
Doing so will add the account to your list of blocked users.

Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Blocking on Desktop from a Chat

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It has an icon of a paper airplane.
All of your chats will be in the left-hand sidebar.
The i is surrounded by a circle.
It's the second option on the list.
This user will now be on your blocked users list.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Unblocking on Desktop

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It's the small version of your profile photo in the left-hand sidebar.
It's at the top of the screen, next to your username.
It's the fourth option on the list.
It's under the "Who can see your content" heading in the middle panel.
Doing so immediately unblocks the person.

Community Q&A

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Question

How can I tell whether someone has blocked me?

Community Answer

If you can't search for them or see their account, then they have blocked you.

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Question

My boyfriend and I blocked each other. How do we unblock each other?

Community Answer

Contact Instagram for help. Once you block someone, their name disappears from your list, so you cannot select them to unblock them.

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Question

I'm unable to log into Instagram; does that mean that someone has blocked me?

Community Answer

No, your account might have gotten deleted / removed, (possibly by Instagram or a hacker) or you need to change your password, from not remembering it.

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Tips

If you block someone in the Instagram mobile app, they will be blocked on desktop as well. The same goes for unblocking a user.

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While the user won't be notified that you've blocked them, they might notice that you're not following them anymore.

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People you block on Instagram can still see your profile by logging out or into a different account. You can prevent this by making your profile private. To do so, tap ☰, select Account privacy, and toggle on "Private account."

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