Alright, let's talk about how to unblock someone on Snapchat. I've been there – maybe you blocked someone during a heated moment, or it was an accidental swipe, or maybe you've just changed your mind. Whatever the reason, figuring out how to unblock someone on Snapchat isn't always straightforward. The app keeps tweaking its interface, and Snapchat doesn't exactly make it obvious. I remember once I accidentally blocked my cousin while trying to clear our chat history. Took me twenty minutes of frustrated searching before I found the solution. Not fun.
Why You Might Need to Unblock
People block others for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes it's serious – maybe harassment or someone crossing boundaries. Other times? Pure accident. I've seen folks block exes during rough breakups only to reconcile later. Or parents blocking teens during arguments then realizing they need to reconnect. Whatever your situation, wanting to reverse a block is normal.
But here's the kicker: When you unblock someone on Snapchat, things don't automatically go back to normal. They won't reappear in your friends list. You'll need to re-add them manually. And no, Snapchat doesn't send notifications about unblocking. That little sigh of relief you just felt? Yeah, that's real.
| Situation | What Happens After Unblocking |
|---|---|
| Accidental block | You'll need to re-add them as a friend to interact |
| Relationship reconciliation | Past chats reappear, but new friendship required |
| Work contacts | No chat history recovery unless both saved messages |
The Exact Steps to Unblock
Time for the meat of it. Here's how to unblock someone on Snapchat, step by step. I'm using the latest app version as of last month, but Snapchat changes things constantly. If your screen looks slightly different, bear with me.
- Open your profile: Tap that ghost icon or your Bitmoji in the top-left corner.
- Settings gear: Top-right corner, that little gear. Tap it.
- Scroll to privacy controls: About halfway down, you'll see "Privacy Controls" – that's your gateway.
- Blocked list:
- On iOS: Tap "Blocked" under "Who Can..."
- On Android: Tap "Blocked Users" in Privacy section
- Find and unblock: Scroll through your blocked contacts. Tap the 'X' next to their name. Confirm when prompted.
Important note: If you don't see them in the list, they might've changed usernames. Try searching their old name in your main friends list first. Happened to me when a friend rebranded their Snap.
Pro Tip: Use the search bar in your blocked list! If you've blocked many people, typing the first few letters of their name saves scrolling time.
What Immediately Changes After Unblocking
Once you unblock someone on Snapchat, here's what actually happens:
| Feature | Before Unblocking | After Unblocking |
|---|---|---|
| Messaging | Completely blocked | Possible if you re-add each other |
| Story Views | Zero visibility either way | Can see if mutual friends again |
| Chat History | Hidden but not deleted | Reappears instantly |
| Location Sharing | Always disabled | Manual re-enable required |
What Snapchat Doesn't Tell You
Okay, here's where things get messy. Snapchat's help pages gloss over important details about how to unblock someone on Snapchat. From personal trial-and-error:
- Friend requests vanish: If they'd sent you a request before you blocked them? Gone forever after unblocking.
- Best friends reset: That #1 BFF status? Erased completely.
- Screenshot notifications: Previous screenshot alerts won't reappear. Clean slate.
Watch Out: Unblocking doesn't restore Snapstreaks! I learned this the hard way when my 200-day streak with my sister disappeared after a temporary block during vacation. Support confirmed they can't restore streaks.
Re-Adding People After Unblocking
So you've unblocked them. Now to reconnect:
- Search their exact username in Snapchat's main search
- Tap 'Add' next to their profile
- Wait for acceptance (they'll see a new request)
Can't find them? Three possibilities:
- They changed usernames (common with influencers)
- They blocked YOU after you blocked them
- They deleted their account entirely
Troubleshooting Unblock Problems
Sometimes unblocking someone on Snapchat doesn't work smoothly. Based on user forums and my own tech support experience:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Can't find blocked list | Update Snapchat - old versions hide this differently |
| 'X' button missing | Force close app, restart phone, update OS |
| Unblocked but still can't message | They need to re-add you too if they blocked you |
| Chat history not returning | Wait 24 hours - Snapchat servers sync slowly sometimes |
Seriously, restarting your phone fixes about 70% of Snapchat issues. Don't ask me why – it just does.
When Unblocking Might Backfire
Look, I'm not your therapist. But after helping dozens of people with how to unblock someone on Snapchat, I've seen patterns. Reconsider if:
- They were abusive/harassing (Snapchat's block feature exists for safety)
- You're only unblocking to check their story anonymously (they might see your view if you re-add)
- It violates a court order (consult legal professionals first)
One user told me they unblocked an ex just to see if they'd reach out. Three months of anxiety later, they wished they'd left things blocked. Your mental health matters more than Snapchat connections.
FAQs: What People Really Ask
Does unblocking notify the person?
No notification whatsoever. But they might notice if they suddenly can view your public story or see you in mutual friends' lists.
Can I temporarily unblock someone?
Snapchat doesn't have temporary unblock. It's all or nothing. You'd have to block again manually later.
Will they see my past stories after unblocking?
Nope. Stories disappear after 24 hours. They'll only see new stories you post after unblocking if you're friends again.
How many times can I block/unblock someone?
No limit technically. But doing it repeatedly might flag Snapchat's spam filters temporarily.
Does unblocking restore deleted chats?
Only if you didn't manually delete the conversation before blocking. Server-side saved chats will return.
Privacy Implications
When you unblock someone on Snapchat, your privacy settings don't automatically revert. Double-check these:
- Location settings: Go to Settings > See My Location. Adjust permissions.
- Story privacy: Settings > Story Settings > Custom. Verify they're not on exception lists.
- Contact permissions: If synced, they might reappear in "Quick Add" suggestions.
I recommend reviewing all privacy settings after unblocking anyone. Takes two minutes but prevents awkward "why can you see my location?" moments.
What the Unblocked Person Experiences
Ever wonder what it looks like from their side? From testing with friends:
| Action by Unblocked Person | Result Before Friendship |
|---|---|
| Search your username | Can find profile but not add (unless public profile) |
| Send message | Fails with error unless you re-add them |
| View your public story | Possible if you haven't restricted them |
| See you in mutual friends | Appears normally in shared connections |
Android vs iOS Differences
Having used both platforms, I've noticed minor variations in how to unblock someone on Snapchat:
- Menu locations: Android often nests "Blocked Users" under Privacy, while iOS uses "Blocked"
- Confirmation prompts: iOS shows clearer warnings about re-adding requirements
- Loading times: Older Android devices take longer to load blocked lists (>100 entries)
But the core steps? Identical. If you've switched phones recently, don't panic – muscle memory might fail you, but the process remains consistent.
When All Else Fails
If you've tried everything and still can't unblock someone on Snapchat, consider:
- Logging out and back in (fixes account sync issues)
- Using Snapchat's web version at accounts.snapchat.com (limited but sometimes works)
- Contacting support through the app: Profile > Settings > Support > "I Need Help"
Last resort? Create a new account. Overkill for most situations, but I had a friend who blocked her boss during a job rage-quit. Fresh start was cleaner than awkward explanations.
Final Reality Check
Learning how to unblock someone on Snapchat solves the technical problem. But emotionally? Reconnecting takes more than button taps. Personally, I've found that if you hesitated this long about unblocking, maybe sit with that feeling another day.
Tech should serve you, not stress you. Whether it's fixing an accidental block or reopening communication channels, now you've got the real steps – not just fluffy theory. Go handle it.
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