How Do You Unhide Someone on Facebook? The Expert Guide

So, you’ve hidden someone on Facebook, and now you’re having second thoughts, or maybe the situation has changed. Don’t worry; it happens to the best of us. Here’s the straightforward answer you’re looking for: To unhide someone on Facebook, you need to access your Block List and remove them from it. Since hiding is often synonymous with blocking on Facebook, especially when it comes to content visibility, unblocking is the key. This action effectively undoes the hiding, allowing their posts and profile to appear in your feed again, and enabling you to interact with them as before. Let’s dive into the specifics across different devices.

Unhiding Someone on Facebook: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re glued to your desktop or constantly on the go with your mobile device, Facebook makes the process relatively simple. Here’s a breakdown for each platform:

Unhiding on Desktop

1. Navigate to Settings & Privacy: Click the downward-facing arrow in the top-right corner of any Facebook page. A dropdown menu will appear. Select “Settings & Privacy,” and another menu will pop up.
2. Access Settings: From the second dropdown menu, click on “Settings.” This will take you to your general account settings page.
3. Locate the Blocking Tab: On the left-hand sidebar, you’ll see a list of options. Scroll down and click on “Blocking.”
4. Find the User You Want to Unhide: The “Blocking” page displays a list of users you’ve blocked. Scroll through this list or use the search bar to find the person you want to unhide.
5. Unblock the User: Next to the person’s name, you’ll see a button that says “Unblock.” Click this button.
6. Confirm Your Decision: A confirmation window will pop up explaining that unblocking the person allows them to see your posts if your settings allow, and you can see theirs. Click “Confirm” to proceed.

Unhiding on Mobile (iOS or Android)

1. Open the Facebook App: Launch the Facebook app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Access the Menu: Tap the three horizontal lines (the “hamburger menu”) usually located in the top-right corner on Android devices or the bottom-right corner on iOS devices.
3. Scroll Down to Settings & Privacy: Scroll down the menu until you find “Settings & Privacy.” Tap on it to expand the options.
4. Tap on Settings: From the expanded menu, tap on “Settings.”
5. Scroll Down to Privacy: Scroll down until you find the “Privacy” section.
6. Tap on Blocking: Tap on “Blocking.”
7. Find the User You Want to Unhide: A list of blocked profiles will appear. Scroll or search for the user you wish to unhide.
8. Tap Unblock: Tap the “Unblock” button next to their name.
9. Confirm Your Decision: A confirmation message will appear. Tap “Unblock” again to confirm your choice.

What Happens After You Unhide Someone?

Once you’ve unblocked someone, they are essentially “unhidden.” This means:

• Their posts may reappear in your News Feed: Depending on Facebook’s algorithm and your mutual friends.
• You can see their profile again: You can now visit their profile and see their posts (if their privacy settings allow).
• You can interact with them: You can send them messages, tag them in posts, and comment on their content again.
• They can see your public posts: If your posts are set to “Public,” they’ll be able to see them. If they’re set to “Friends,” they’ll only see them if you’re also friends.

It’s important to note that unblocking someone doesn’t automatically re-friend them. If you want to be friends again, you’ll need to send them a friend request.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions regarding hiding and unhiding people on Facebook, to further clarify the process and its implications:

1. What’s the difference between “hiding” a post and “blocking” someone on Facebook?

“Hiding” a post from your News Feed only removes that specific post from your view. You’ll still see other content from that person. “Blocking,” on the other hand, completely prevents them from seeing your profile, posts, or contacting you. It’s a more comprehensive form of “hiding” and is essentially what people mean when they say they want to “unhide” someone.

2. If I unblock someone, does Facebook automatically re-add them as a friend?

No, unblocking someone does not automatically re-add them as a friend. You’ll need to send them a new friend request, and they’ll need to accept it.

3. Can someone tell if I’ve unblocked them?

Facebook does not directly notify someone when you unblock them. However, if they search for you and can suddenly see your profile after not being able to before, they might deduce that you’ve unblocked them. Furthermore, if you send them a friend request, they will, of course, be notified.

4. How long does it take for someone to reappear in my News Feed after unblocking them?

There’s no specific timeframe. It depends on Facebook’s algorithm, how frequently you and the unblocked person interact (or used to interact), and the overall engagement with their content.

5. Can I temporarily “hide” someone without blocking them entirely?

Yes, you can snooze someone for 30 days. This temporarily removes their posts from your News Feed without blocking or unfriending them. To do this, click the three dots in the top right corner of one of their posts and select “Snooze [Name] for 30 days.”

6. If I unblock someone and then block them again, will they be notified?

No, they will not be directly notified. However, the same logic applies as mentioned before. If they were to search for you again later and your profile has disappeared, they would likely realize they are blocked.

7. Is there a limit to how many people I can block and unblock?

Facebook doesn’t publicly state a limit to the number of people you can block or unblock. However, excessively blocking and unblocking people in a short period could potentially trigger Facebook’s spam detection systems.

8. Can I unhide a Facebook Page or Group?

The process for unhiding a Page or Group is similar. Go to your Blocking list and look for the “Block Pages” section, or the “Block apps” section, rather than the list of blocked individuals. You’ll find the Pages and Groups you’ve blocked there and can unblock them in the same way.

9. What happens to our previous messages if I unblock someone?

Your previous messages with that person remain intact in your Messenger history. They are not deleted when you block someone.

10. If someone blocked me, then unblocked me, would I know?

No, you will not receive a notification that someone blocked and then unblocked you. You would only be able to tell if you could not see their profile at one point and can now see it again.

11. Can I manage my Block List from the Facebook Lite app?

Yes, you can manage your Block List from the Facebook Lite app, similar to the standard Facebook app. Navigate to Settings & Privacy, then Settings, and then Blocking.

12. After unblocking someone, if I have set a “Take a Break” option previously to limit interactions with that person, does it automatically reset?

No, unblocking someone does not automatically reset the “Take a Break” setting. You’ll need to manually go into your “See Friendship” page with that person (accessed through their profile) and adjust the “Take a Break” options if you wish to resume normal interactions.

Unhiding someone on Facebook is a simple process, but understanding the implications and nuances can help you navigate your social connections with greater confidence. So, go forth and reconnect (or not!), armed with this expert knowledge.