How do you unblock someone on LinkedIn?
Blocking someone on LinkedIn feels like slamming the door shut on your digital professional life. But what happens when you realize you need that door cracked open again?
Whether you blocked in the heat of the moment or by accident, the good news is: LinkedIn makes it pretty painless to reverse.
This guide walks you through exactly how to unblock someone on LinkedIn step-by-step on both desktop and mobile plus what happens after, troubleshooting quirks, and some pro-level etiquette advice if you decide to reconnect.
TL;DR : How do you unblock someone on LinkedIn?
If you don’t want the long version, here’s the fast-food version of unblocking:
3-step summary (Desktop)
- Click Me > Settings & Privacy from the top bar.
- Under Visibility, select Blocking to view your list.
- Hit Unblock next to the person’s name, confirm, and boom you’re done.
3-step summary (Mobile)
- Tap your profile photo > Settings > Visibility > Blocking.
- Find the profile under Blocked profiles list.
- Tap Unblock, enter password if prompted, and you’re good.
Before You Hit “Unblock”: A Quick Reality Check
Let’s back up for a second. Before you rush to hit the unblock button, you need to actually understand what blocking did in the first place. Otherwise, you’re just clicking around without context.
What Really Happens After You Unblock
When you unblock someone, LinkedIn doesn’t send them a little ping saying “Congrats, you’ve been unblocked.”
Nope. Zero alerts. Zero awkward DMs. It’s quiet.
Once the block is lifted, their profile pops back into your world and yours into theirs. You’ll see their updates, they’ll see yours, and you’ll both show up in each other’s searches again.
But here’s the catch most people miss: unblocking doesn’t magically make you buddies again. If you were connected before, that connection is gone. You’ll have to send a fresh request if you want to rebuild that bridge.
The silence is a gift. It gives you the breathing room to think: Do I really want this person back in my feed? Or am I just unblocking to clear the air?
Why Blocking Exists in the First Place
Blocking isn’t about being petty it’s about protecting your space. On LinkedIn, that looks like:
- Keeping creepers, spammers, and bad vibes out of your DMs.
- Cleaning up a network that no longer fits where you’re headed.
- Creating breathing room when drama starts to spill into your professional lane.
It’s not complicated. Tap their profile, hit the three dots, click Report/Block, done. One move and you’re back in control of your feed.
Blocking vs. Removing vs. Unfollowing
Not every cut has to be nuclear. There are levels to this game:
- Block = They vanish. Total blackout.
- Remove connection = You’re no longer 1st-degree, but they can still peek at your public stuff.
- Unfollow = Stay connected, but mute their noise in your feed.
Unblocking just reopens the door. Whether you walk through it or keep them standing outside that’s on you.
Unblock on LinkedIn from desktop
Settings & Privacy > Visibility > Blocking > Blocked profiles list
- Click Me in the top nav bar.
- Select Settings & Privacy.
- In the left panel, go to Visibility.
- Scroll down to Blocking.
- You’ll see a list of blocked profiles click Unblock next to the person.
- Enter your password to confirm.
This is the cleanest method because it shows you everyone you’ve ever blocked in one list.
Confirm the unblock and verify success
After confirming, the person vanishes from your blocked list. That’s your green light. If you still can’t find them in search after a refresh, give it a couple minutes it usually updates instantly, but LinkedIn likes to keep us guessing.
Unblock on the LinkedIn mobile app (iOS & Android)
Method 1: Settings > Visibility > Blocking > Select profile > Unblock
- Open LinkedIn app.
- Tap your profile photo > Settings.
- Go to Visibility → Blocking.
- Tap the person’s name in your blocked list.
- Select Unblock, type your password, confirm.
Method 2: From profile (if accessible)
Same as desktop if you still have their profile link:
- Tap it, scroll down to the unblock option.
- Confirm with password.
Interface differences and where options may appear
- On iOS, the Blocking menu is tucked under “Visibility.”
- On Android, it may appear under “Who can see your connections.” Different labels, same tunnel.
- Always expect a password prompt it’s LinkedIn’s way of double-checking you’re not drunk-tapping.
Can’t find them? Troubleshooting unblocking issues
Sometimes LinkedIn makes things weird. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
They’re not in your blocked list (did you block from another account?)
Obvious but overlooked: double-check you’re logged into the right LinkedIn account.
Account was deleted, merged, or renamed
If they nuked their profile or rebranded with a new account, you won’t see them on the list. Nothing to unblock.
App/cache issues: refresh, update, try desktop/mobile switch
If your app is lagging:
- Log out/log in.
- Clear cache.
- Update the app.
- Or just hop over to desktop it’s usually more stable.
Do You Need a New Connection Request?
This is where the LinkedIn platform gets a bit technical, so let's clarify:
- If you were never connected before the block: Yes, you must send a new connection request. Unblocking only makes you visible to each other again it doesn't create a connection.
- If you were previously connected: The connection does NOT automatically restore. You'll need to send a new connection request, even though you were connected before.
Think of blocking as severing the connection completely, not just pausing it. When you unblock, you're essentially starting from scratch in terms of your LinkedIn relationship.
This is actually a good thing! It gives both parties the choice to opt back into the professional relationship, rather than forcing an automatic reconnection that might not be welcome.
Alternatives to unblocking or blocking (privacy-first options)
Sometimes blocking/unblocking feels too dramatic. LinkedIn offers softer tools:
Unfollow vs Mute vs Remove connection
- Unfollow: Their content disappears from your feed.
- Mute: Works on groups or messaging threads.
- Remove connection: Silent breakup no feed, no endorsement privileges.
Adjust profile viewing options and who can see your last name/photo
Under Privacy, you can:
- Change what people see when you view their profile (anonymous mode FTW).
- Hide your last name.
- Limit who sees your profile photo.
These tweaks give you control without going full nuclear.
Best practices and etiquette after unblocking
When to keep someone blocked (safety considerations)
If the person was harassing you, spamming you, or otherwise toxic there’s no rule saying you must unblock. LinkedIn is your professional sandbox; protect it.
How to reconnect politely: short message templates
If you do want to reconnect, don’t just drop a cold connection request. Add context:
“Hey [Name], I realized I had you blocked on LinkedIn by mistake. Sorry about that would love to reconnect here.”
or
“Hi [Name], unblocked you recently. If you’re open, I’d like to connect again and stay in touch professionally.”
Short, clear, and adult.
Report and restrict: handling spam or harassment
If they come back with spam or harassment after you unblock, don’t just re-block use Report and Restrict. That flags their behavior to LinkedIn’s safety team.
Unblocking in LinkedIn Groups (for admins/moderators)
Group admins live in a different world. You can block/unblock members inside your groups, separate from personal blocking.
Where to manage blocked group members
- Go to your group’s admin panel.
- Select Members > Blocked.
Steps to unblock a group member and restore access
- Find the member in your Blocked list.
- Click Unblock.
- They regain access to post, comment, and engage in that group.
Group blocks vs personal blocks: key differences
-
Group block = kicks them out of that specific group.
-
Personal block = severs all LinkedIn contact.
Totally separate systems.
FAQs & Quick Troubleshooting: The Nitty-Gritty Details
Let's address some common questions that pop up during the unblocking process:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I unblock someone from a LinkedIn recruiter account? | Absolutely! The steps are identical just make sure you're using the account credentials that initiated the block. |
| Will my blocked contact see a notification when I unblock them? | No, LinkedIn keeps this action completely private. They won't know unless you reach out. |
| Is there a waiting period before I can reconnect? | Nope! The unblock takes effect immediately. They'll be able to see you as soon as they refresh their feed. |
| What if I accidentally unblock the wrong person? | Simple fix just go back to the same list and block them again. No harm, no foul. |
| Does unblocking affect my own privacy settings? | Not at all. Only the specific block against that individual is removed. All your other privacy settings remain intact. |
Leveraging OutXAI Post-Unblock: Turn Reconnection into Opportunity
Now for the game-changer. Unblocking someone is just the first step maintaining that renewed connection is where the real value lies.
This is where OutXAI shines.
After you've unblocked a contact, OutXAI can help you nurture that relationship automatically:
- Automated follow-up: Schedule a personalized connection note or message to send after unblocking, saving you from manually tracking these interactions.
- Timing optimization: OutXAI analyzes LinkedIn activity patterns to determine when your newly unblocked contact is most active ensuring your reconnection attempt arrives at the perfect moment.
- Sequence building: Create a multi-touch outreach sequence that gradually rebuilds the relationship through thoughtful, spaced interactions rather than a single message.
The best part? All of this happens within LinkedIn's compliance guidelines. OutXAI only works with publicly available data, so you stay on the right side of LinkedIn's policies while maximizing your reconnection success.
Think about it you've gone through the effort to unblock someone important. Why leave the follow-through to chance?
Key Takeaways: Your Unblocking Cheat Sheet
Let's wrap this up with the essential points to remember:
- Unblocking on LinkedIn is a straightforward process on both desktop and mobile platforms.
- No notifications are sent when you unblock someone giving you space to reconnect on your own terms.
- Unblocking never automatically restores a connection; you'll need to send a new connection request.
- A thoughtful, personalized approach to reconnection yields the best results.
- OutXAI can automate the post-unblock follow-up process, turning a simple reconnection into a valuable networking opportunity.
Action Steps: Your Unblocking Roadmap
Ready to restore that important LinkedIn connection? Here's your action plan:
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Open LinkedIn Settings → Navigate to Privacy ➜ Blocking.
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Find the user you want to reconnect with and click Unblock.
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Send a thoughtful, personalized message or connection request to rebuild the relationship.
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Use OutXAI to schedule follow-up touchpoints that keep the conversation flowing naturally.
Remember, professional relationships require maintenance. A single reconnection message isn't enough consistent, valuable interactions are what transform a restored connection into a meaningful professional relationship.
Your Turn!
How have you handled reconnecting with someone on LinkedIn? Did you find the unblocking process straightforward, or did you discover any hidden tricks? Drop a comment below let's help each other navigate these professional networking waters!
Ready to take your LinkedIn networking to the next level?
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