How to Unrestrict on Facebook in 4 Easy Steps

Many of us have, at some point, restricted someone on Facebook. Maybe it was your boss, a friend after an argument, or a nosy relative who kept intruding on your posts—that’s when restricting them on Facebook seemed like the right move.

But what if things have changed and you want to undo that? In this article, we’ll show you how to unrestrict someone on Facebook in just a few easy steps. You’ll learn exactly how to do this both on the Facebook app (on your phone) and on the Facebook website.

What Does it Mean to Restrict Someone on Facebook?

Restricting someone on Facebook is a way of hiding your posts and stories from them without removing them from your friend list.

This means they can still send you messages, call you, or tag you in their posts, but they won’t be able to see any of your private posts unless you choose to make them public or tag them specifically. This is a simple way to protect your privacy without having to unfriend someone. It’s very different from blocking someone, where all contact is lost, or removing them from your friend list entirely.

Can You Unrestrict Someone on Facebook?

Yes! If you want to reconnect or give someone access again, you can simply unrestrict them. This allows them to see and interact with your posts and updates, just like any other friend.

Also, if your own account gets restricted by Facebook for posting inappropriate content, breaking the rules, or violating community standards, you can often get your account back. Sometimes, this happens automatically after some time, or you might need to contact Facebook’s help center for support.

Methods to Unrestrict Someone on Facebook

Now that you know what restriction is, let’s look at how you can unrestrict someone on Facebook. We’ll discuss a couple of different methods, starting with the Facebook website.

1. How to Unrestrict Using the Website

If you use Facebook on your computer or laptop and want to unrestrict someone, you have two main options.

1. Go to Facebook.com and log into your account if you haven’t already.
   

   

2. Find the profile of the friend you want to unrestrict. Click where it says Friends.
   

   

3. A drop-down menu will appear, where you’ll see an option for Edit Friend List.
   

   

4. From the available options, find Restricted and uncheck it to remove the restriction.
   

   

The second method lets you manage all the people you’ve restricted over time and unrestrict them from one place.

1. Go to your Feed and look for “Friends” on the left-side menu.
   

   

2. On the next page, you’ll see “Custom lists.” Click on it.
   

   

3. Click “Restricted” to view everyone you’ve restricted. Then click the small cross next to someone’s profile picture to unrestrict them.
   

   

2. How to Unrestrict Using the App

Unrestricting someone on Facebook using the app works the same way as on the website.

1. Open the Facebook app on your phone and search for the profile of the friend you want to unrestrict.
2. Tap on the “Friends” button.
   

   

3. A box with more options will pop up. Tap on “Edit Friend List.”
   

   

4. You’ll see a few friend lists. Tap “Restricted” to remove the checkmark, which will unrestrict your friend.
   

   

How to Unrestrict Your Own Account on Facebook?

Your Facebook account can sometimes be restricted by Facebook itself. The main reasons are spamming, posting inappropriate content, or copyright infringement. Facebook may place a temporary restriction on your account for minor offenses, or a permanent ban for more serious violations.

• For minor violations like spamming, the restriction might only last a few hours to a day.
• For major violations like hate speech, your account could be restricted for several days or even weeks.

If you are temporarily restricted, your best course of action is usually to wait for the penalty duration to pass and avoid repeating the same mistake. For long-term restrictions or permanent bans, you can contact the Facebook Help Center and request a review.

• Always follow Facebook’s Community Standards.
• Avoid posting or engaging in hate speech or controversial topics.
• Don’t impersonate others or use fake names for your profile.
• Respect copyrights. Don’t post content you don’t have rights to or haven’t gotten permission to share.