Social media platforms like Facebook have become essential in daily communication, allowing users to connect with people globally, like friends, family, and colleagues. But as we stay connected, handling their interactions and privacy is important. People often ask about Facebook’s interconnected services and whether you can block someone on Facebook and still use Messenger.
This article discusses whether you can block someone on Facebook but not Messenger and three alternate ways to restrict the user.
Below we have discussed:
Also read: How to remove myself as an admin on Facebook page?
Can you block someone on FB but not Messenger?
No, if you block someone on Facebook, you won’t be able to receive messages from them on Messenger either. Facebook and Messenger are tightly connected, so blocking someone on Facebook automatically means blocking them on Messenger. Nonetheless, you can use other methods and settings to achieve a similar outcome.
Restrict them on Facebook
If you want to block someone on Facebook but not Messenger, you can restrict them. Facebook offers an alternative called the Restricted list. Here’s how it works for the person you’ve placed on the Restricted list:
- They can only view your public posts or those you’ve tagged them in.
- They won’t see posts marked as Friends or Private.
- If they visit your profile, they’ll only see public and tagged posts.
- You, on the other hand, can still see their profile as usual.
- They can send you messages via Messenger.
To restrict someone on Facebook, follow the steps below:
- Open the profile of the person you want to restrict and tap on the Friends button available below the name of the person.
- In the menu, tap on the Edit Friend List option.
- Now, tap on the Restricted option.
Also read: Facebook Feed vs Story: Key Difference
Use the Take a Break feature
Here’s another way to avoid someone’s Facebook profile without blocking them. Despite the name Take a break, it doesn’t have to be a temporary measure; you can use it for as long as you need.
Facebook has introduced this setting mainly for users going through a breakup who don’t want to block their ex completely. However, we can leverage it to block someone on Facebook effectively while keeping access to Messenger intact.
When you take a break from a profile:
- You prevent them from seeing your posts and posts you’ve been tagged in.
- Facebook automatically places them in your Restricted list.
- You’ll see less of their content, meaning their posts and updates won’t dominate your news feed.
- Additionally, you can change settings for past posts, hiding those where they’ve been tagged from your profile.
Check out our article to learn how to use the Take a Break feature
Also read: How to delete messages on Reddit?
Unfriend them
A simple solution is to unfriend the person. Unfriending removes them from your friends list, reducing their access to your profile and posts. Although not as drastic as blocking, it sets a clear boundary. Here is how to do that:
- Open the profile of the person you want to restrict and tap on the Friends button available below the name of the person.
- In the menu, tap on the Edit Friend List option.
Also read: How to mute someone on Facebook?
