Curious whether restoring access takes minutes or a tangled path? This concise article maps a clear process that works in the app and on the web.
Start at your profile, open settings and privacy, then go to Privacy and safety → Mute and block → Blocked accounts. From that list tap the blocked button next to a username to reverse the action. Optionally open the profile again and follow if you want tweets back in your feed.
This guide explains what changes after the lift: visibility, follows, and messaging. It also covers why unblocking can fail and what people may see. You’ll save time with copy-ready steps for profile, settings, and the blocked list.
Key Takeaways
- Exact path: Profile → Settings → Privacy.
- Works on: both app and web.
- No notice sent: the other account isn’t alerted.
- Follow again: previous follows must be reestablished.
- Fail cases: suspended, deleted, or mutual block can block the process.
What unblocking does on X and when to use it
Removing a block restores certain public signals and reopens interaction paths. After you lift a block, people can see your public posts again, mention you, and request a follow if your account is protected. That change affects visibility but not past deletions.
Unblocking does not bring back deleted tweets or past interactions. Your feed will not repopulate with their posts unless you follow them or visit their profile.
- Public visibility: mentions and profile access resume; DMs may reopen if both accounts permit.
- Feed behavior: you only see their tweets in your feed after you follow or view their page.
- When to lift a block: practical for resumed professional ties or settled disputes.
- Keep block if: harassment or safety concerns persist — the safety feature limits interaction and discovery.
- Use mute: hide content without a hard cut when privacy or analytics matter less than silence.
- Brands: unblocking can reopen community engagement while keeping moderation controls.
This article lays out the trade-offs so you can choose the right path for your privacy and safety settings.
Quick steps: how to unblock someone on X
Use these concise steps to restore access and resume normal interaction. This process is the shortest path on most devices and works in both the app and web.
- Open X and tap your profile to begin the step.
- In the menu, select Settings and privacy for account controls.
- Choose Privacy and safety → Mute and block to locate moderation tools.
- Open Blocked accounts, find the username you want, then tap the Blocked button to change it to Unblock.
- Optional: open their profile page and select Follow if you want tweets back in your feed.
Tip: If the action fails, refresh the page, update the app, or try the web interface. These small fixes resolve most temporary errors quickly.
Unblock on the X mobile app
Use the mobile app path below for a fast, on-device reversal of a block. This sequence matches iOS and Android UI differences and keeps the process consistent.
Navigate: Profile → Settings and privacy → Privacy and safety
Tap your profile icon (top-left) to open the main menu. If you see Settings & Support, select it, then choose Settings and privacy.
Open Mute and block → Blocked accounts
Open Privacy and safety, then select Mute and block. This reveals the Blocked accounts list for your profile.
Tap the Blocked button next to the username to unblock
Find the account and tap the Blocked button beside the name. It flips instantly to an Unblock state and removes the restriction for that account.
Optional: Visit the profile and tap Follow to see their tweets again
If you want their posts in your Home feed, open the profile and tap Follow. This extra step restores visibility for tweets from that account.
- Quick step: tap profile icon, then open settings privacy.
- Select privacy safety, open mute block, then select blocked accounts.
- Tap the blocked button next to the account you want restored.
Unblock on X via web browser
If you use a desktop, the web interface gives a clear, menu-driven path. Sign in at twitter.com and open the left-rail More menu to reach Settings and privacy.
Use this desktop flow when you want a single window view of moderation controls. Select Privacy and safety, then open Mute and block to find Blocked accounts.
Exact desktop steps
- Sign in at twitter.com and open the left-rail More menu.
- Go to Settings and privacy → Privacy and safety → Mute and block.
- Open Blocked accounts to see your list blocked accounts in one window.
- Click the Blocked button beside the account to reverse the block instantly.
- Optional: open the profile page and click Follow if you want their tweets in your Home timeline.
If the page does not update, hard-refresh the browser window and retry. For persistent sign-in errors, see useful recovery tips at fixing login issues.
Manage your blocked accounts list effectively
Keep a clear inventory of accounts you’ve blocked so decisions stay consistent.
Find and review the list of blocked accounts
Access the full list via Privacy and safety → Mute and block → Blocked accounts. Open that list and review who still belongs there.
Understand limits: no bulk action natively
X does not support sorting, filtering, or mass unblocking in the native interface. Expect manual, one-by-one actions when you adjust your list.
Using official partners for scale
If you manage multiple accounts or a large moderation queue, consider vetted partners. Circleboom Twitter offers a dashboard showing profiles you’ve blocked, bios, and activity indicators. It also supports selecting multiple accounts and provides a Mass UnBlock Chrome Extension that works via the official API.
| Action | Native app/web | Partner tools | Best practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| View list | Yes — Blocked accounts | Dashboard view with bios | Audit in small batches |
| Bulk restore | No | Yes — select multiple | Avoid large rapid changes |
| Decision signals | Username only | Activity, bio, last post | Prune inactive users after years |
| Workflow | One-by-one | Batch selections | Keep notes on content themes |
Practical step: handle updates in batches. That reduces flags for suspicious activity and keeps your moderation aligned with current brand positioning.
Troubleshooting common unblocking issues
Problems can crop up during the reversal process; here’s how to diagnose them.
The account no longer exists or is suspended
If an account was deleted or suspended, the unblock action may not register. Check the profile page later and confirm the account status.
Practical tip: if the account returns after some time, repeat the step in settings.
You’re blocked by the other user
If the other user has blocked you, lifting your block does not restore visibility. Their block still prevents you from viewing posts or sending messages.
Temporary technical errors
When the button does not flip, refresh the app or reload the browser window.
- Update the app or clear cache in your browser.
- Try a different browser or device if issues persist.
- Document each attempt so you can repeat a reliable process later.
Why tweets or DMs still don’t appear
After you unblock, tweets may not show until you follow again or manually visit their page. Past DMs and deleted posts do not return.
Allow some time for sync across mobile and desktop clients if you use both. If the issue lasts longer than an hour, repeat the diagnostic step and check account status again.
Privacy and safety considerations before you unblock
Pause and review your moderation goals before restoring access to an account. That quick check reduces risk and keeps your brand consistent.
Reassessing mute vs. block for your feed and safety
Mute hides content from your feed without alerting the person. Use it when you want silence without escalation.
Block cuts off interaction and discoverability. Keep it when abuse or safety concerns remain unresolved.
What changes after you restore access: follows, DMs, and visibility
After you restore access, public visibility returns. People can view public posts and mention your profile again.
Tweets will only repopulate your feed if you follow the account or visit the profile. Direct messages may reopen if both sides allow them.
- Review settings privacy to align moderation rules with your goals.
- Prefer mute block when you want less content without severing ties.
- Use lists to monitor uncertain accounts before refollowing.
- Audit team access if multiple people manage the account and document changes.
For a step-by-step recovery process and additional tips, see our detailed guide within this article.
Related actions you might need
When you’re not ready to restore full contact, consider softer moderation steps that keep options open. These options limit exposure while preserving outreach and review paths.
Mute instead of unblock to limit content without engagement
Mute reduces posts in your feed while leaving profiles reachable. Use mute when you want silence without cutting discovery or blocking mentions.
Add to Lists to monitor content before refollowing
Add a profile to a List so you can watch cadence, tone, and relevance without following. Lists are ideal for brand safety reviews and competitor tracking.
- Use Mute to limit content while preserving the option to engage later.
- Add the profile to a List to observe cadence and relevance before a follow.
- For multiple accounts, standardize a review menu and approval flow for refollows.
- Keep a documented page of criteria for when to refollow versus keep muted.
- Assign owners for Lists so monitoring remains consistent and accountable.
- Add an account only after content aligns with your audience and goals.
- Review users quarterly to keep monitoring assets focused and efficient.
- Translate observations into clear moderation rules for your team.
For a partner tool that helps manage blocked and muted profiles across accounts, see this Circleboom guide for workflow ideas and dashboard examples.
Reopen connections with confidence today
Restore access confidently and keep moderation controls in place.,
Use this guide when you want unblock someone and then confirm the result on their profile. If you manage many accounts, standardize settings privacy checks before making changes.
Open your blocked accounts list, prioritize by relevance, and review usernames, bios, and activity. For multiple accounts or lists blocked accounts from years ago, consider batch workflows with Circleboom. It shows “Accounts I’ve Blocked,” lets you select blocked entries, and supports a Mass UnBlock extension via the API.
Start in small batches, spread actions over time, and keep a short step log. After you lift a block for an account want unblock, follow again if you want tweets back in your feed.
