How to Unblock Someone on Instagram: Step-by-Step Guide for 2025
TL;DR - Quick Answer
7 min readTips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.
Quick Answer: Unblock on Instagram
Settings method: Profile → Menu (☰) → Settings → Blocked accounts → Find person → Unblock
Profile method: Search their name → Go to profile → Tap Unblock
Takes 10 seconds. They won't be notified.
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Start your free trialUnblock From Settings (Recommended)
- Open Instagram
- Go to your profile
- Tap menu (☰) top right
- Tap Settings and privacy
- Scroll to Blocked accounts
- Find the person
- Tap Unblock
- Confirm
This shows your complete block list in one place.
What happens to your previous follow relationship after unblocking?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Unblock From Their Profile
If you know their username:
- Search for their name
- Tap their profile
- Tap Unblock
- Confirm
Faster if you remember exactly who you blocked.
Unblock on Desktop
- Go to instagram.com
- Click your profile picture
- Click Settings
- Select Blocked accounts
- Find the account
- Click Unblock
Same result, bigger screen.
What Happens After Unblocking
After You Unblock
They Can Find You
In search, explore, everywhere
They See Your Profile
Public posts visible immediately
No Auto-Follow
Both must re-follow manually
No Notification
They won't know you unblocked
Will They Know You Unblocked Them?
No notification. But they might figure it out if:
- They try to visit your profile and it works now
- They notice they can message you again
- They search for you and find you
Most people never realize unless they actively check.
Can you re-block someone immediately after unblocking?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Finding Your Blocked List
On Mobile: Profile → Menu → Settings → Blocked accounts
On Desktop: Settings → Blocked accounts
Review it occasionally. You might have forgotten who's there.
Unblock vs Unrestrict
To unrestrict someone: Their profile → Three dots → Unrestrict
Can't Find the Account?
If someone's not in your blocked list:
- Account deleted: They deactivated or deleted their account
- Username changed: Try searching their new name
- You didn't block them: They might have blocked you instead
- Account removed: Instagram banned them
Your ex's profile won't load but they're not in your blocked list. What's most likely?
💡 Tip: Think carefully before selecting your answer!
Re-Following After Unblocking
Once you unblock:
- Go to their profile
- Tap Follow
- If they're private, wait for approval
They'll need to follow you back separately. Nothing is automatic.
Block vs Unfollow vs Mute
Choose based on how much separation you need:
- Light: Mute
- Medium: Unfollow or restrict
- Complete: Block
Troubleshooting
Unblock button not working?
- Restart Instagram
- Update the app
- Try from Settings instead of their profile
Can't find them in blocked list?
- They may have deleted their account
- Their username changed
- You might not have blocked them
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