---
id: 309
revision: '0'
language: en
title: Block or unblock someone in Status
---

You can block a stranger or an existing contact to stop receiving harmful content and excluding the user entirely from your experience with Status.

:::warn
Blocking someone deletes all messages from the user. Status can't recover them for you.
:::

## What to expect

- Blocked users don't receive any notifications or see any changes. They only know that you have stopped messaging them.
- You can't see any messages sent by blocked users, including direct messages and messages in mutual group chats, channels and communities.
- A blocked user can see your previous direct messages and future messages you send in mutual group chats, channels and communities.
- Status permanently deletes all messages sent by the blocked user, including direct messages and messages in mutual group chats, channels and communities.
- Unblocking a user does not restore deleted messages.
- Status stops showing blocked users as mutual contacts.

## Block an existing contact

=== "Mobile"

    1. From the tab bar, tap :mobile-messages: **Messages**.
    1. Tap **Contacts**, then tap the profile picture of the contact you want to block.
    1. From the top navigation, tap :mobile-more-options: **More options**.
    1. Tap :mobile-block: **Block User**.
    1. Check the two boxes if you want to remove the user's identity verification and remove the user from your contacts.
    1. Tap **Block**.

=== "Desktop"

    1. From the navigation sidebar, click :desktop-chat: **Messages**.
    1. In the **Messages** sidebar, click the user you want to block.
    1. At the top of the content area, click :desktop-more-options: **More options** and select **View profile**.
    1. On the pop-up, click :desktop-more-options: **More options** and select :desktop-block: **Block User**.
    1. Click **Block User**.

## Block a stranger

A stranger is a user who is not your contact. You can encounter a stranger in a group chat, community or channel. You can receive a contact request from a stranger.

=== "Mobile"

    ### Step 1: Find the user to block

    | Context | Steps |
    |-------|-------|
    | Mutual group chat | 1. From the tab bar, tap :mobile-messages: **Messages** > **Groups**. 2. Long press the group chat.  3. Tap :mobile-group-members: **Group details**. |
    | Mutual community or channel | 1. From the tab bar, tap :mobile-communities: **Communities** > **Joined**. 2. Long press the community.  3. Tap :mobile-group-members: **View members**. |
    | Contact request | From the tab bar, tap :mobile-messages: **Messages** > **Contacts** > **Pending requests**. |

    ### Step 2: Block the user

    1. Tap the profile picture of the user.
    2. From the top navigation, tap :mobile-more-options: **More options**.
    3. Tap :mobile-block: **Block User**.
    4. Tap **Block**.

=== "Desktop"

    ### Step 1: Find the user to block

     | Context | Steps |
    |-------|-------|
    | Mutual group chat |  1. From the navigation sidebar, click :desktop-chat: **Messages**.  2. In the **Messages** sidebar, click the group chat.  3. If you don't see the **Members** right sidebar, click :desktop-group-chat: **Members** at the top of the content area.
    | Mutual community or channel | 1. From the navigation sidebar, click the community.  2. If you don't see the **Members** right sidebar, click :desktop-group-chat: **Members** at the top of the content area. |
    | Contact request | Go to :desktop-notification: **Notifications** > **Contact requests**. |

    ### Step 2: Block the user

    1. Click the profile picture of the user you want to block.
    1. On the pop-up, click :desktop-more-options: **More options** and select :desktop-block: **Block User**.

## Unblock a user

=== "Mobile"

    1. Tap your profile picture.
    2. Go to **Privacy and security** > **Blocked and rejected users**.
    3. Tap the profile picture of the user you want to unblock.
    4. Tap **Unblock**.

=== "Desktop"

    1. From the navigation sidebar, click :desktop-chat: **Messages**.
    1. Go to **Messaging** > **Contacts, Requests, and Blocked Users**.
    1. In the **Messaging** content area, select **Blocked**.
    1. On the right of the contact you want to unblock, click :desktop-more-options: **More options** and select :desktop-unblock: **Unblock User**.