Snapchat is a popular app where you can share pictures and chat with friends. Sometimes, you might want to block someone for different reasons. Blocking helps keep your Snapchat experience safe and enjoyable by controlling who can see your stories and send you messages. In this guide, we will talk about what it means to block someone on Snapchat. We will look at how it affects your chats, stories, and if the blocked person can still see your account. Whether you’re new to Snapchat or have been using it for a while, understanding how to block someone and what happens afterward is important. This way, you can make sure your Snapchat is just the way you like it – fun and safe.

What Happens When You Block Someone on Snapchat?

When you block someone on Snapchat, a few things happen right away to change how you and the blocked person can interact on the app. Let’s look at these changes step by step.

Immediate Effects

• Disappearance of Chat History and Impact on Message Delivery: As soon as you block someone, the chat history between you two disappears from your phone. This means you won’t see past messages anymore. If the blocked person sends you a message, it won’t reach you. On their end, it will look like the message was sent but it never gets delivered to you.
• Visibility of Stories and Account Searchability: Blocking someone also means they can’t see your stories anymore. If they try to search for your username on Snapchat, it will seem like your account doesn’t exist at all.
• Changes in Friend Lists and Notification Settings: The person you block will automatically be removed from your friend list. You won’t receive any notifications from them, like if they try to send you a snap or if they take a screenshot of your chat (if any chat history was left before blocking).

Detailed Consequences

• Inability to Receive Snaps or Videos from the Blocked Contact: Once blocked, the person cannot send you any snaps or videos. Even if they try, you won’t receive them. This helps ensure that you won’t be bothered by unwanted content from them.
• Absence of Screenshot Notifications: If the blocked person had taken a screenshot of your chat before you blocked them, you won’t get notified about it. The idea here is to cut off all forms of notification from the person you have blocked.
• The Blocked Person’s Inability to View Your Stories and Find Your Account: As mentioned, the blocked person can no longer see any stories you post, and they can’t even find your account by searching on Snapchat. This is like you’ve disappeared from Snapchat for them.

How to Block Someone on Snapchat

Blocking someone on Snapchat is straightforward. This section guides you through different methods to block someone, ensuring your Snapchat experience remains positive and tailored to your comfort.

Blocking via Chat Screen

1. Open Snapchat and head to the Chat screen by swiping right from the camera screen.
2. Find the chat with the person you want to block.
3. Press and hold on the person’s name.
4. Tap ‘More’ and then select ‘Block’.
5. Confirm your decision by tapping ‘Block’ again.

This method stops them from sending you messages, snaps, or finding your account in their chat list.

Blocking via Profile Access

1. Open Snapchat and go to the Chat screen.
2. Tap on the user’s profile icon or Bitmoji.
3. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner to open the settings menu.
4. Select ‘Block’ and confirm by tapping ‘Block’ again.

Using this method, you directly access their profile to block them, ensuring they cannot contact you or view your content.

Blocking via Search and Stories

• Via Search: If you haven’t chatted with the person recently but want to block them:
  • Tap the magnifying glass icon (Search) on the top of the screen.
  • Type the name of the person you want to block.
  • Press and hold their name when it appears, then select ‘Block’.

• Via Stories: If you’re viewing someone’s story and decide to block them:
  • Tap their profile picture next to their story.
  • Tap the three dots or their Bitmoji/profile icon to go to their profile.
  • Follow the steps to block them as mentioned above.

Blocking from the Maps Tab

If someone’s location on the Snap Map bothers you, or if you prefer not to have them see your location:

1. Open the Map by pinching your fingers together on the camera screen.
2. Find and tap on the person’s Bitmoji.
3. Tap their profile icon to open their profile, then tap the three dots and select ‘Block’.

Alternatives to Blocking on Snapchat

Sometimes, blocking might feel too extreme. If you’re looking for less drastic ways to manage your interactions on Snapchat, here are some alternatives that can help maintain your privacy without completely cutting off communication.

Removing Friends vs. Blocking

• Removing a Friend: This action takes someone off your friends list, but they can still send you snaps and messages if your privacy settings allow it. They won’t know they’ve been removed, and this can be a subtle way to limit interactions.
  • How to Remove a Friend: Go to your friend’s profile, tap the settings icon, and select “Remove Friend.”

Using Do Not Disturb Mode

• Do Not Disturb: This feature silences notifications from selected friends without them knowing. You won’t be disturbed by their messages or story updates, but you’ll still remain friends.
  • How to Activate Do Not Disturb: Press and hold on a friend’s name, tap “More,” and select “Do Not Disturb.”

Adjusting Privacy Settings

• Change Who Can Contact You: You can adjust your settings so only friends can contact you, reducing unwanted interactions from strangers or acquaintances.
  • How to Adjust Settings: Go to your profile, tap the settings gear, scroll to “Who Can…” sections, and adjust “Contact Me” and “View My Story” to “Friends.”

Muting Stories

• Mute Stories: If you’re not interested in seeing someone’s stories but don’t want to block or remove them, muting their stories is a discreet solution.
  • How to Mute Stories: Find their story in your feed, press and hold on it, and choose “Mute Story.” You won’t see their stories until you decide to unmute them.

FAQs

Conclusion

Blocking on Snapchat is a powerful feature designed to give users control over their interactions and privacy. Whether you’re dealing with unwanted messages, protecting your digital well-being, or simply curating your social circle, understanding how to block (and unblock) users is essential. Moreover, alternatives like muting stories or adjusting privacy settings provide flexible options for managing your Snapchat experience without resorting to blocking. Remember, while the blocked person won’t be notified directly, changes in your visible activity and interaction patterns may indirectly indicate to them that they’ve been blocked.