iOS · iPhone & iPad & Android

Restrict Someone on Messenger Without Blocking Them

Source-checked About 10 minutes

Answer

Use Restrict from the conversation's privacy controls to move the chat out of the main Chats list and limit notifications and presence sharing; use Block for a complete stop.

Guide steps4 steps
  1. Choose Restrict or Block
  2. Open conversation privacy
  3. Apply Restrict
  4. Review safety
  5. If it still does not work

Choose Restrict or Block

Restrict is for quieter separation; Block is the stronger control when you do not want messages or calls.

Open conversation privacy

Open the chat, tap the person's name or information, and find Privacy & support or current privacy controls.

Apply Restrict

Choose Restrict and review Messenger's explanation of where the conversation moves and what the other person can see.

Review safety

Use Message delivery settings for unknown senders, and report harassment or threats rather than relying only on Restrict.

Video walkthrough

If it does not work

  • If “Restrict Someone on Messenger Without Blocking Them” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, file, log, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, source-media, or hardware prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Messenger Help Center recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification

Checked against official documentation on . Scope: iPhone & iPad & Android.

Reviewed against the linked first-party guidance; interface labels can vary by current app, service, or operating-system version.

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