Blocking Made Easy: Your Ultimate Guide to Blocking Someone on Snapchat

So, you’ve decided enough is enough. That persistent ex, the random stranger who keeps adding you, or maybe even that one friend who overdoes the dog filter just has to go. You’re ready to wield the digital ban hammer. The good news is, blocking someone on Snapchat is surprisingly simple. Let’s get you sorted.

How to Block Someone on Snapchat: The Definitive Guide

Here’s the straightforward process:

1. Open Snapchat: Fire up the app on your phone or tablet. It’s the one with the ghostly white logo.
2. Navigate to the Chat Screen: Tap the chat icon at the bottom left of your screen. This will take you to your list of conversations.
3. Find the Person You Want to Block: Scroll through your chat list to locate the culprit.
4. Press and Hold: Tap and hold on the person’s name. This will bring up a menu.
5. Tap “Manage Friendship”: In the menu that appears, you’ll see a few options. Select “Manage Friendship.”
6. Select “Block”: In the “Manage Friendship” screen, the “Block” option will be prominently displayed. Tap it.
7. Confirm Your Decision: Snapchat will ask you to confirm your choice. Tap “Block” again to finalize the action.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully blocked the unwanted contact. They will no longer be able to send you Snaps, Chats, or see your Story.

But what if you can’t find them in your chat list? Perhaps they haven’t contacted you recently, or you deleted the conversation. Don’t worry, there’s another way!

Blocking Someone from Your Add Friends List

If you’re dealing with someone who hasn’t engaged in a recent chat, or whose chat history you’ve cleared, follow these steps:

1. Tap Your Profile Icon: At the top left corner of the Snapchat screen, tap your profile icon (your Bitmoji or profile picture).
2. Tap “Add Friends”: In your profile, find and tap the “Add Friends” option.
3. Check “Added Me”: Select the “Added Me” tab. This displays a list of people who have added you but you may not have added back.
4. Find the Person You Want to Block: Scroll through the list and locate the individual in question.
5. Tap the ‘X’ Icon: To the right of their name, you’ll see an “X” icon. Tapping this presents the option to “Block” or “Report”.
6. Select “Block”: Tap the “Block” option.
7. Confirm Your Decision: Snapchat will ask you to confirm your choice. Tap “Block” again to finalize the action.

Boom! Problem solved. They’re now blocked.

Snapchat Blocking: All Your Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to clarify the finer points of blocking on Snapchat, providing a more detailed understanding of the process and its implications.

FAQ 1: What Happens When I Block Someone on Snapchat?

Blocking someone on Snapchat is like putting up a digital wall. They can no longer send you Snaps or Chats. They won’t be able to view your Story, even if it’s set to “Everyone.” Essentially, you become invisible to them on the platform. Their name will disappear from your chat list (and vice versa), and they won’t be able to find you by searching your username. You might as well have ceased to exist in their Snapchat universe.

FAQ 2: Will the Person Know I Blocked Them?

Snapchat is remarkably discreet. The person you blocked won’t receive a notification stating, “You have been blocked by [Your Username]”. However, they might figure it out eventually. If they try to send you a Snap or Chat, it won’t go through. If they search for your username, they won’t find you. If you share mutual friends, seeing your shared friends seeing your stories but they can’t might clue them in. The absence of your profile is a big giveaway. But, Snapchat doesn’t directly announce your blocking actions.

FAQ 3: Can a Blocked Person Still See My Old Snaps or Chats?

No. Once someone is blocked, they lose all access to your content. Any Snaps or Chats you sent them in the past will still be visible to them, but they won’t be able to see anything new from you. It’s a one-way mirror: they can see what was, but not what is.

FAQ 4: Can I Unblock Someone on Snapchat?

Absolutely! Digital exile isn’t permanent. To unblock someone:

1. Tap Your Profile Icon: Go to your profile by tapping the Bitmoji or picture at the top left.
2. Tap the Settings Icon: In the upper right corner, you’ll see a gear icon representing “Settings.” Tap it.
3. Scroll Down to “Blocked”: Scroll down the Settings menu until you find the “Blocked” option under the “Account Actions” section.
4. Find the Person You Want to Unblock: You’ll see a list of all the users you’ve blocked. Locate the person you want to forgive.
5. Tap the “X” Next to Their Name: Next to their username, there will be an “X”. Tap it.
6. Confirm Your Decision: Snapchat will ask you to confirm that you want to unblock the user. Confirm and you’re done!

They can now find you and interact with you again – if they choose to.

FAQ 5: What’s the Difference Between Blocking and Removing a Friend?

Removing a friend is a softer approach. When you remove someone, they remain in your contacts, but they can no longer see your private Story (if you have one). They can still send you Snaps and Chats, and you can still see theirs. Blocking is a much stronger step. It completely cuts off all communication. Think of removing as unfriending, and blocking as a digital restraining order.

FAQ 6: Can a Blocked Person Still See My Public Story?

It depends on your settings. If your privacy settings are set to “Everyone,” then anyone, even someone who has been blocked, can still view your public Story. To prevent a blocked person from seeing your public Story, you must ensure your privacy settings are set to “Friends Only.”

FAQ 7: Can a Blocked Person Still See My Location on Snap Map?

No. When you block someone, they can no longer see your location on the Snap Map, regardless of your location-sharing settings. Your digital whereabouts are now a mystery to them.

FAQ 8: What if I Block Someone Who is in a Group Chat with Me?

You’ll still be in the group chat, but the blocked person will no longer receive your messages, and you won’t see theirs. The group chat continues for everyone else as normal.

FAQ 9: Can a Blocked Person Create a New Account to Contact Me?

Technically, yes. Blocking someone prevents them from contacting you with their existing account. However, a determined individual could create a new Snapchat account and attempt to add you. In this case, you would need to block the new account as well. Snapchat offers ways to limit who can add you as a friend for this very reason.

FAQ 10: Can I Report Someone Instead of Blocking Them?

Yes, absolutely. If someone is violating Snapchat’s Community Guidelines (e.g., harassment, hate speech, illegal activities), you should report them. To report someone:

1. Follow the steps to access the ‘Manage Friendship’ menu (as described above).
2. Instead of selecting “Block”, select “Report”.
3. Follow the prompts and select the reason for your report.

Snapchat takes reports seriously and will investigate the matter. Reporting ensures that the platform remains safe and enjoyable for everyone.

FAQ 11: How Can I Prevent People I Don’t Know from Adding Me on Snapchat?

Snapchat allows you to customize who can add you. To adjust these settings:

1. Go to Your Profile: Tap your profile icon.
2. Go to Settings: Tap the gear icon.
3. Scroll Down to “Who Can…”: Look for the “Who Can…” section.
4. Change “Add Me”: Tap “Add Me” and choose either “Friends of Friends” or “Only Me” to restrict who can add you.
5. Change “Contact Me”: Likewise, modify “Contact Me” to restrict who can send you direct messages.

These settings significantly reduce unwanted friend requests and messages.

FAQ 12: Is Blocking Someone the Right Decision?

That’s a personal question. Blocking should be reserved for situations where you feel uncomfortable, harassed, or simply want to cut off communication with someone. If the issue is minor, consider other options, such as muting their Story or simply ignoring their Snaps. However, if you feel that blocking is necessary to protect your well-being, then don’t hesitate. Your digital peace of mind is important.

Blocking someone on Snapchat is a powerful tool for managing your online experience. Use it wisely, and remember that you have the right to control who you interact with on social media. By understanding the process and its implications, you can effectively curate your digital environment and enjoy a more positive Snapchat experience.