How to Block Someone on Instagram?
Instagram is a great platform for connecting with friends, sharing moments, and exploring content. But let’s be honest—sometimes, you need to set boundaries. Whether it’s an ex who won’t stop lurking, a spam account flooding your DMs, or just someone you don’t want in your digital space, blocking is the best solution.
So, how to block someone on Instagram? In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything—step-by-step instructions, what happens when you block someone, alternative ways to limit interactions, and even how to unblock if you change your mind.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
How to Block Someone on Instagram in a Few Simple Steps
Blocking someone on Instagram is quick and easy. Follow these steps to remove someone from your digital space:
On the Instagram Mobile App (iPhone & Android)
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Open the Instagram app on your phone.
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Use the search bar at the top to find the profile of the person you want to block.
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Once on their profile, tap the three dots (⋮ or ···) in the top right corner.
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Select Block from the menu.
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Instagram will give you two options:
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Block [Username] – Blocks only this account.
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Block [Username] and other accounts they may create – Prevents them from making new accounts to interact with you.
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Choose the option that suits you, then tap Block to confirm.
That’s it. The person is now blocked and won’t be able to see your profile, posts, or stories.
For more details, you can check Instagram’s official help page on blocking accounts.
On Instagram Web (Desktop Version)
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Open Instagram in your web browser.
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Go to the search bar and type in the username of the person you want to block.
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Click on their profile.
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Click on the three-dot menu next to their username.
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Select Block and confirm your decision.
Easy, right? But now you might be wondering—what actually happens when you block someone?
What Happens When You Block Someone on Instagram?
Blocking someone on Instagram doesn’t just remove them from your feed—it completely cuts off their access to you. Here’s what changes:
✅ They can’t see your profile, posts, or stories anymore.
✅ Your likes, comments, and messages disappear from their side.
✅ They can’t tag you in posts or mention you in comments.
✅ If they try to search for your username, you won’t appear in their results.
✅ You won’t receive their messages even if they try to send them.
However, blocking isn’t retroactive—meaning their previous messages in group chats will remain, and if you both interact in shared groups, you’ll still see each other’s messages there.
Alternatives to Blocking: Other Ways to Restrict Someone on Instagram
Blocking is a strong move, but Instagram offers less drastic ways to manage interactions:
1. Restrict Their Account
If you don’t want someone to know you’ve blocked them, you can restrict them instead:
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Their comments on your posts will only be visible to them.
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They won’t see when you’re online or if you’ve read their DMs.
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You can read their messages without them knowing.
To restrict:
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Go to their profile → Tap three dots → Choose Restrict.
More details on this feature can be found in Instagram’s guide to restricting accounts.
2. Mute Their Posts & Stories
Don’t want to see their content but don’t want to block them? Muting is your best bet.
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Go to their profile → Tap Following → Select Mute → Choose Posts, Stories, or Both.
3. Remove Them from Followers
If your account is private and you just want to cut them off, removing them as a follower works.
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Go to your Followers list → Find their username → Tap Remove.
These options give you more control without the finality of a full block.
How to Unblock Someone on Instagram?
Changed your mind? Here’s how to unblock someone on Instagram:
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Go to your profile and tap the three lines in the top right.
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Select Settings and privacy → Tap Blocked accounts.
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Find the person’s username and tap Unblock.
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Confirm your decision.
Once unblocked, they can see your profile and interact with you again—unless you set your account to private.
Now that you know how to block someone on Instagram, you can take charge of your online experience. Whether it’s for privacy, peace of mind, or just personal preference, blocking (or restricting) lets you control who interacts with you.Still unsure whether to block or restrict? Start with restricting—if the problem persists, blocking is always an option.Have you ever had to block someone on Instagram? Let me know your thoughts!
FAQs About Blocking on Instagram
1. Will the person know if I block them?
No, Instagram doesn’t notify them. However, they might figure it out if they try to visit your profile and can’t find it.
2. Can a blocked person still see my old messages?
Yes, past conversations remain in their inbox, but they can’t message you anymore.
3. If I unblock someone, will they automatically follow me again?
No, unblocking doesn’t restore previous follows—you’ll have to follow them again if you want to reconnect.
4. Can I block someone who already blocked me?
Yes, but you’ll need to find their profile through an old comment, group chat, or mutual friend’s post.
5. What happens if I block someone in a group chat?
You’ll still see each other’s messages in the group, but private DMs will be blocked.
6. Can a blocked person mention me in posts or comments?
No, they won’t be able to tag or mention you anywhere on Instagram.
7. If I block someone, do they disappear from my follower list?
Yes, blocking automatically removes them as a follower.
8. Can I block someone temporarily?
Yes, but you’ll have to manually unblock them when you’re ready.